Phantasmal Dragon MTG Card


At an affordable four mana, Phantasmal Dragon’s 5/5 flying offers early board dominance and strategic versatility. The dragon’s drawback requires careful play to avoid sacrifice from any targeted abilities or spells. Inclusion in blue-focused decks can greatly benefit from its combo potential and meta-relevant aerial threat.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dragon Illusion
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying When Phantasmal Dragon becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it.

Its hunger and ire are no less for being wrought of lies and mist.


Cards like Phantasmal Dragon

Phantasmal Dragon solidifies its presence in MTG as an elusive powerhouse, wrapped in both potential and vulnerability. This creature card stands alongside other illusory beings like Phantasmal Bear and Phantasmal Image, sharing the phantom trait that destroys the creature when it becomes the target of a spell or ability. While the Dragon boasts a formidable power of 5/5, Phantasmal Bear comes with a modest 2/2. Unlike the Dragon, Phantasmal Image brings versatility to the table, copying any creature on the battlefield and potentially gaining their stronger abilities, all the while carrying the phantom trait’s fragility.

Other MTG cards like Mistform Seaswift exhibit a similarity with flying and morph capabilities but lack the phantom’s intrinsic might and self-protective challenge. Krovikan Mist also echoes the power of illusion, with its strength and toughness scaling with the number of Illusions on the field, yet it doesn’t match the immediate impact of the Phantasmal Dragon’s 5/5 power on the board.

When considering cards with both high power and a touch-and-go condition, Phantasmal Dragon presents a unique blend of risk and reward, enchanting players who dare to leverage its might while carefully navigating its delicate existence on the battlefield.

Phantasmal Bear - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Image - MTG Card versions
Mistform Seaswift - MTG Card versions
Krovikan Mist - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Bear - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Image - MTG Card versions
Mistform Seaswift - MTG Card versions
Krovikan Mist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Phantasmal Dragon by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phantasmal Dragon provides a significant presence on the board with its potent flying ability, forcing opponents to address it and potentially leading to a favorable exchange of cards.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s affordable mana cost for a 5/5 flying creature enables players to deploy other threats or maintain defensive options sooner, effectively accelerating the player’s resource development.

Instant Speed: While Phantasmal Dragon itself does not operate at instant speed, its synergies with instant speed spells and effects are notable. This dragon can deter attackers just by its mere presence, allowing players to efficiently utilize mana on either player’s turn for instant speed interaction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Phantasmal Dragon demands sharp focus during play. Any targeted spell or ability from an opponent forces you to sacrifice the creature. This drawback means that you must constantly be aware of potential threats that could remove your dragon from the battlefield without much effort.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning the Phantasmal Dragon requires a sometimes challenging combination of mana — two colorless and two blue. This specificity restricts the card’s flexibility, making it more suitable for a deck with a strong blue mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, this card competes with other powerful creatures and impactful spells vying for a place in the coveted four-manacurve slot. While its stats are respectable, the fragility it presents often leads players to consider alternatives that may not be as vulnerable to being targeted.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phantasmal Dragon offers flexibility for blue-focused decks, as it provides a substantial aerial threat. Its four power level on flying makes it a formidable force, capable of impacting the board as soon as it swoops into play.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with decks that capitalize on illusions or those that can manipulate or protect creatures without targeting them. It thrives in environments where you can exploit its strengths while mitigating its drawback.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-evolving game dynamics, the adaptability of Phantasmal Dragon keeps it relevant. In a meta where evasion is key, this creature’s significant presence in the skies can give players an edge over opponents, making it a strategic inclusion for those looking to dominate in aerial combat.


How to beat

Confronting the Phantasmal Dragon in Magic: The Gathering can seem daunting at first glance due to its evasive capabilities and considerable power. The essence of its strength lies in its illusionary nature, being a creature that can be a substantial aerial threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. However, its Achilles’ heel is the clause that it must be sacrificed when targeted by a spell or ability.

The most straightforward strategy to overcome the Phantasmal Dragon is to exploit its vulnerability to targeting. This could be achieved through the use of low-cost spells or abilities that specifically target creatures. Single-target removal spells or simple effects, such as those that tap or otherwise mark the Dragon, can force the controller to sacrifice it. Even benign abilities, like those aiming to provide buffs or equip artifacts, will inadvertently cause the Dragon’s demise, turning one of its greatest assets into a fatal flaw.

This strategy not only removes the immediate threat but also serves to maintain board control efficiently. It turns what seems like a robust flying creature into a fleeting presence, manageable through savvy play and a basic understanding of its intrinsic weakness.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phantasmal Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Media Inserts and Magic 2012, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Phantasmal Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phantasmal Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-01-02Media InsertsPMEI 212003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
22011-07-15Magic 2012M12 712003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
32014-03-14Duel Decks: Jace vs. VraskaDDM 142003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 4542003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
52020-09-26The ListPLST DDM-142003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phantasmal Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal