Phyrexian Tyranny MTG Card


Phyrexian Tyranny converts each draw into potential damage or card loss, influencing the game’s pace. This enchantment disrupts opponent’s plans, synergizing well in decks designed to withstand its effect. Despite its limitations, its unique effect can control the battlefield and shape the game’s outcome.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever a player draws a card, that player loses 2 life unless he or she pays .

"He is Yawgmoth's reward to me. I shall kill him a hundred times a day." —Crovax, to Ertai


Cards like Phyrexian Tyranny

Phyrexian Tyranny stands out in the pantheon of enchantments within Magic: The Gathering. It finds its close relatives in oppressive cards that tax players’ resources, such as Underworld Dreams and Painful Quandary. Phyrexian Tyranny’s unique selling point is its punishing effect on card draw, dealing damage unless the player pays life for each card drawn. This is somewhat reminiscent of Underworld Dreams, which inflicts damage to opponents whenever they draw, but without offering an escape clause that Phyrexian Tyranny provides through life payment.

Equally intriguing is Painful Quandary, which imposes a penalty whenever an opponent casts a spell, forcing a discard or life loss. While Phyrexian Tyranny focuses solely on card draw, Painful Quandary expands its reach to spell casting, offering a more extensive range of control, yet it does not directly target the act of card drawing like Phyrexian Tyranny does.

By comparing these menacing enchantments, it is clear that Phyrexian Tyranny holds a formidable position, especially in formats where card draw is prevalent. Its ability to exert pressure on opponents with each card they draw, giving them tough choices at every turn, makes it a tactical tool in the arsenal of MTG players aiming to command the game’s flow.

Underworld Dreams - MTG Card versions
Painful Quandary - MTG Card versions
Underworld Dreams - MTG Card versions
Painful Quandary - MTG Card versions

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

Elemental Augury - MTG Card versions
Maestros Ascendancy - MTG Card versions
Elemental Augury - MTG Card versions
Maestros Ascendancy - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Phyrexian Tyranny, each player’s card draw becomes a strategic consideration, potentially offering you an edge in maintaining a balanced hand. The card’s ability to turn each draw into a taxing decision can whittle down an opponent’s resources while you capitalize on this unique form of card advantage. Properly orchestrated, it can keep you ahead in the arms race of resources.

Resource Acceleration: This powerful enchantment does not directly create mana but can indirectly accelerate your resources. By pressuring opponents to pay life or mana to avoid discarding the cards they draw, you can disrupt their mana curve and resource planning. In decks built to mitigate the drawback, you can retain tempo and pressure opponents simultaneously.

Instant Speed: Although Phyrexian Tyranny operates at a slower enchantment speed, its continuous effect impacts the game at all times. This passive pressure can be compared to an omniscient force, constantly challenging each player’s strategy instantaneously with each card drawn, underlining the importance of timing and selective drawing within the game’s flow.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Phyrexian Tyranny demands that players discard a card frequently, applying pressure on your hand and potentially leading to a shortage of options during crucial moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise mix of blue and black mana, which may restrict its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce both of these colors, reducing its versatility across various archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana with a combination of both blue and black mana, Phyrexian Tyranny has a comparative high mana cost for its abilities, competing with other resource or card advantage engines available in the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyrexian Tyranny is a unique card offering flexibility across various deck builds. Its ability to punish players for drawing cards slots it into numerous strategies that control the flow of gameplay.

Combo Potential: This card works wonders in situations that manipulate draw mechanics. With the right setup, it can consistently drain opponents’ life or resources, making it an integral part of a synergistic deck that aims to capitalize on penalizing opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Because card draw is so prevalent in many popular formats, Phyrexian Tyranny can serve as a powerful deterrent and meta tool. It carries the potential to shift the tide against opponents who rely heavily on drawing multiple cards per turn.


How to beat

Phyrexian Tyranny is a formidable enchantment when it resolves in a game of MTG. It punishes players each time they draw a card, sapping their vitality or resources. Tackling this card requires a strategy that either avoids drawing too many cards or utilizes life gain to offset the damage incurred by its effect. Cards with static abilities that allow you to filter through your deck without drawing, like “Sensei’s Divining Top,” can skirt around the Tyranny’s taxing nature.

Alternatively, focusing on removing Phyrexian Tyranny outright is often the best route. Enchantment removal spells, such as “Disenchant” or “Naturalize,” are key tools in this endeavor. Keeping mana open to cast these spells when Phyrexian Tyranny hits the battlefield can minimize its impact. Players need to plan their deck construction with enchantment answers or employ a strategy that can outpace the punitive damage, potentially using aggressive creatures or direct damage spells to end the game swiftly before the life loss becomes unsustainable.

Mastering the confrontation with Phyrexian Tyranny comes down to smart deck preparation, judicious resource management, and knowing when to push for the win or hold back for a strategic defense against this oppressive enchantment.


BurnMana Recommendations

Phyrexian Tyranny is more than just an enchantment—it’s a game-changer for any MTG player aiming to disrupt their opponent’s gameplay. Its ability to make each card draw a taxing choice creates a unique advantage. This card can be the cornerstone of your strategy, shaping the battlefield to your whims. As you ponder the strengths and weaknesses of Phyrexian Tyranny, consider how it fits into your current deck or how you might build a new one around it. For more insights and deck-building tips that could make Phyrexian Tyranny a star player in your collection, step into our community and sharpen your strategic edge. Explore the full potential of this dynamic card with us and take control of the game. Visit BurnMana for more expert advice and strategies.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Tyranny MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and The List, 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 Tyranny and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phyrexian Tyranny Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-02-05PlaneshiftPLS 1181997NormalBlackKev Walker
22020-09-26The ListPLST PLS-1181997NormalBlackKev Walker
32022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2622015NormalBlackKev Walker
42022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 5312015NormalBlackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Tyranny has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 If more than one card is drawn at a time, this triggers for each card drawn.