Phyrexian Soulgorger MTG Card


Offers early game board dominance and potential for favorable trades, enhancing player leverage. Encourages a strategic play style that balances threats with instant-speed interaction opportunities. Limited by demanding creature sacrifices and specific mana costs, influencing deck construction.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeSnow Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Construct
Abilities Cumulative upkeep
Power 8
Toughness 8

Text of card

Cumulative upkeep— Sacrifice a creature. (At the beginning of your upkeep, put an age counter on this permanent, then sacrifice it unless you pay its upkeep cost for each age counter on it.)

The Phyrexian minds that constructed it did not live past its awakening.


Cards like Phyrexian Soulgorger

The Phyrexian Soulgorger stands distinct within its niche in the Magic: The Gathering arena. This card finds its similarities with other high-risk, high-reward creatures like the Demonic Hordes, which also require a regular resource commitment to maintain a presence on the battlefield. While Demonic Hordes demands the sacrifice of lands to keep it in play, Phyrexian Soulgorger requires the sacrifice of creatures, establishing a different dynamic in resource management.

Another card worth comparing is the Eater of Days; both share a large power and toughness for a relatively low mana cost but have sizable drawbacks that challenge the player to strategize their play carefully. The Eater of Days deprives you of two turns, a significant time in many matches. The Soulgorger, with its cumulative upkeep, might seem less rigorous, but the necessity to constantly have creatures to sacrifice can be just as demanding.

In the landscape of MTG creatures that trade immediate power for ongoing costs, Phyrexian Soulgorger presents an intriguing balance. It rewards decks that can either generate a steady stream of creature tokens or can capitalize on the creature’s death for further advantage, making it a unique specimen amongst its counterparts.

Demonic Hordes - MTG Card versions
Eater of Days - MTG Card versions
Demonic Hordes - MTG Card versions
Eater of Days - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Phyrexian Soulgorger by color, type and mana cost

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Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phyrexian Soulgorger offers a unique advantage as it provides an imposing board presence early in the game. Unlike other cards that might stall your hand, this creature can pressure opponents and force them to deal with it, potentially leading to advantageous trades for you.

Resource Acceleration: The card’s relatively low mana cost compared to its power allows for a quick and significant enhancement to your battlefield. This advantage can be leveraged into further development of your board state, setting the pace of the match in your favor.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Phyrexian Soulgorger encourages a play style that keeps mana open for other instant speed interactions. Deploying it early enables players to maintain threats on the board while still holding back resources for reactive plays, keeping opponents uncertain and on the defensive.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Phyrexian Soulgorger demands a hefty sacrifice of creatures, which can deplete your board presence and leave you vulnerable. This can be particularly detrimental in games where maintaining a strong line of defense is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: With an explicit demand for three snow mana, Phyrexian Soulgorger requires a dedicated deck architecture focusing on snow lands. This restricts the card’s flexibility and may not always align with your strategy or mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of eight mana to cast, this creature comes with a price that may slow your game down. In faster-paced matches, this could put you at a disadvantage as other players may establish a dominant board state more quickly.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyrexian Soulgorger offers a unique function in decks that thrive on creature sacrifices or require heavy hitters on the board early in the game. Its substantial power for a limited mana cost makes it a tactical inclusion for a variety of deck strategies.

Combo Potential: With the right combination of cards, Phyrexian Soulgorger can become a central part of a devastating combo. It synergizes well with cards that mitigate its cumulative upkeep or benefit from creature deaths, making it a versatile piece in any combo-centric deck.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where speed is of the essence, Phyrexian Soulgorger can pose a significant threat early on. It gives players the option to apply pressure or set up defenses quickly, adapting to a meta that favors quick tempo or aggressive playstyles.


How to beat

Phyrexian Soulgorger, much like its namesake implies, possesses an appetite for creatures. In the world of Magic: The Gathering, this formidable artifact creature presents a substantial challenge to opponents with its ability to accumulate +1/+1 counters rapidly, threatening to deliver lethal damage quickly. It can be an intimidating presence on the battlefield, potentially altering the pace of the game.

To confront this metallic beast effectively requires strategic deployment of creature removal. Artifacts are frequently susceptible to cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize, which can remove the Soulgorger smoothly and cost-efficiently. Instant speed interaction is key, allowing players to act on their opponent’s turn and mitigate the threat before it becomes insurmountable. Furthermore, countering it upon casting with spells like Negate ensures that this voracious entity never gets a chance to feast on the board.

In essence, while the Phyrexian Soulgorger can dominate a game, its weakness lies in its predictability and the various efficient removal options available within the game. Utilizing these wisely can keep this consuming juggernaut at bay. Whether through direct destruction, countermagic, or strategic chump blocking to minimize its impact, careful planning and a calm approach will guide players to triumph against such a potent adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deeper into the MTG realm, Phyrexian Soulgorger emerges as a formidable force for players seeking to tip the scales early in their favor. This creature’s ability to amplify board presence while inviting strategic play makes it a worthwhile consideration for your arsenal. Balancing its power with the demand for creature sacrifices showcases the intricate dance of risk and reward that MTG embodies. Whether harnessing its potential in a dedicated snow mana deck or exploring its synergy within a sacrifice-themed build, Phyrexian Soulgorger’s dynamic imposes a unique challenge to both wielder and opponent. For those prepared to navigate these intricacies for a competitive edge, Phyrexian Soulgorger can be a game-changing asset. Immerse yourself in a world where every card is a step toward victory—learn more with BurnMana and embrace the thrilling complexity of MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Soulgorger MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Mystery Booster, 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 Phyrexian Soulgorger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phyrexian Soulgorger Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-07-21ColdsnapCSP 1412003NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 16192003NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
32020-09-26The ListPLST CSP-1412003NormalBlackBrian Snõddy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Soulgorger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phyrexian Soulgorger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2006-07-15 When Phyrexian Soulgorger’s cumulative upkeep ability resolves, you must either sacrifice a different creature for each age counter on Phyrexian Soulgorger or sacrifice it. You may also sacrifice it as part of its own upkeep payment.