Phantasmal Forces MTG Card


Strategic planning around its upkeep cost offers flexibility in managing resources each turn. Demands careful hand management to sustain, potentially leading to card resource depletion. Flying ability and pressure in early game make it a valuable asset in specific MTG decks.
Card setsReleased in 14 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Illusion
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flying Controller must spend U during upkeep to maintain or Phantasmal Forces are destroyed.

These beings embody the essence of true heroes long dead. Summoned from the dreamrealms, they rise to meet their enemies.


Cards like Phantasmal Forces

Phantasmal Forces stands out in the realm of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its likeness can be drawn to other four-mana blue flyers like Air Elemental. Although both share the same mana cost and flying ability, Air Elemental brings a sturdier presence with a 4/4 body, lacking Phantasmal Forces’ required upkeep cost of one blue mana.

Another card to consider in comparison is Phantom Monster. Similarly, it is a blue creature with flying, but it offers straightforward gameplay without the upkeep cost attached to Phantasmal Forces and has a slightly less potent 3/3 stat line. Moving to the newer spectrum of cards, Mist Raven also shares some similarities, carrying the same mana cost but merging flying with the added utility of bouncing an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield.

In evaluating these cards, Phantasmal Forces may be attractive to players seeking a traditional blue flying threat. With the upkeep cost accounting for controlling a 4/1 flier, this card asks for continuous resource investment, which can be viewed as a strategic maneuver for deck builders focusing on early to mid-game tempo.

Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Mist Raven - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Mist Raven - MTG Card versions

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

Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Screeching Drake - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Extravagant Spirit - 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
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - 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
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Screeching Drake - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Extravagant Spirit - 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
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - 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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phantasmal Forces provides a powerful presence on the board, often requiring multiple cards from the opponent to handle it. This can indirectly lead to gaining card advantage as the opponent depletes resources to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: Although it doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its reasonable casting cost for a flying creature helps maintain your momentum in the early to mid-game without hindering your mana development.

Instant Speed: While not an instant, the upkeep cost of Phantasmal Forces allows for strategic planning around your mana each turn, giving you the flexibility to decide what actions to prioritize at instant speed with your remaining resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Phantasmal Forces presents its controller with a continuous demand; upkeep necessitates the sacrifice of another card in hand. This ongoing cost can swiftly deplete a player’s hand, leading to a situation where maintaining the creature’s presence on the battlefield becomes unsustainable.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Phantasmal Forces requires a commitment to blue mana, two of which must be blue. This specificity can be restrictive, as it compels deck builders to focus on blue resources potentially at the expense of a more diversified mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, including two blue, for a creature with the inherent necessity to discard each turn, Phantasmal Forces may not align with the curve of more efficiently costed creatures available in the game. The card’s ongoing cost in relation to its power and toughness pairing may lead some to seek alternative creatures that provide more value or less of a maintenance burden.


Reasons to Include Phantasmal Forces in Your Collection

Versatility: Phantasmal Forces is a card that can seamlessly integrate into decks that seek to utilize evasion tactics. Thanks to its flying ability, it frequently bypasses grounded defenders, making it a persistent threat in the air.

Combo Potential: This card’s upkeep cost can be turned from a downside into an advantage in decks designed around sacrifice effects or in combination with cards that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive air attacks, Phantasmal Forces stands out as a viable contender. Its early game pressure can shape the pace of the match, compelling the opponent to address its presence swiftly.


How to beat

Phantasmal Forces presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield. This blue creature card requires a unique maintenance cost, where the player must sacrifice it unless they discard a card each turn. It’s a substantial flying body, making it an asset for controlling the skies, yet this upkeep cost can be a considerable drawback for the controller, especially if their hand is running low on cards.

Dealing with Phantasmal Forces effectively involves putting pressure on your opponent’s card resources. Engage in strategies that limit their card draw or force additional discards, thus exacerbating the cost of keeping Phantasmal Forces in play. Utilizing removal spells that don’t target, like board wipes or global damage spells, can also bypass its illusionary nature. It’s also vulnerable to being targeted by any spell or ability—construct your plays to force your opponent into unfavorable trades or to exploit its inherent weakness to targeting.

Crafting a strategy that either depletes your opponent’s hand or utilizes non-targeting removal will ensure that Phantasmal Forces becomes more of a liability than an asset to your adversary. This careful articulation of tactics will help secure your dominance over this spectral entity.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phantasmal Forces MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Forces and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phantasmal Forces Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Mark Poole.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 671993NormalBlackMark Poole
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 681993NormalBlackMark Poole
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 681993NormalWhiteMark Poole
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 681993NormalBlackMark Poole
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 681993NormalBlackMark Poole
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 691993NormalBlackMark Poole
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 691993NormalWhiteMark Poole
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 691993NormalWhiteMark Poole
91995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 881993NormalBlackMark Poole
101995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 881993NormalWhiteMark Poole
111997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 1061997NormalWhiteMark Poole
122011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 551997NormalBlackMark Poole
132022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 3641997NormalBlackMark Poole
142022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 672015NormalBlackMark Poole

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phantasmal Forces has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal