Progenitus MTG Card


Progenitus provides a strategic advantage, requiring opponents to deplete resources for its challenge. Built-in decks for Progenitus promote mana ramping, paving the way for swift resource acceleration. Despite its allure, the card’s complex mana needs pose playability and timing challenges.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost10
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Hydra Avatar
Abilities Protection
Power 10
Toughness 10

Text of card

Protection from everything If Progenitus would be put into a graveyard from anywhere, reveal Progenitus and shuffle it into its owner's library instead.

The Soul of the World has returned.


Cards like Progenitus

Progenitus is a formidable presence in MTG, belonging to an elite category of game-ending creatures. A behemoth, it is often compared to other powerful cards such as Emrakul, the Aeons Torn. Both creatures command a staggering mana cost, but where Progenitus offers a shield with protection from everything, Emrakul provides an annihilator ability and an extra turn upon casting. Progenitus can be a match-ending play, but Emrakul can potentially disrupt opponents’ strategies before they even get a chance to respond.

Similarly, when looking at large creatures such as Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre, who also boasts an annihilator ability, Progenitus sets itself apart with its sheer invulnerability to most spells and abilities. While Ulamog can indirectly control the game by exiling two target permanents, it doesn’t offer the same level of direct protection.

The card’s uniqueness is further emphasized when compared to Blightsteel Colossus, another titan with an indestructible tag and a game-ending infect ability. While not as protected as Progenitus, Blightsteel Colossus threatens immediate victory via its 11/11 stats combined with one-shot poison damage. Progenitus requires a more strategic setup for a win, showcasing the diversity in behemoths within MTG’s universe.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn - MTG Card versions
Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre - MTG Card versions
Blightsteel Colossus - MTG Card versions
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn - MTG Card versions
Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre - MTG Card versions
Blightsteel Colossus - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Progenitus by color, type and mana cost

Primeval Spawn - MTG Card versions
Primeval Spawn - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Progenitus. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Bant Natural OrderBant Natural Order LegacyBlue ZenithLisbon Legacy League 2024 // 5th Qualifier
UG Natural OrderUG Natural Order LegacyBlue ZenithLisbon Legacy League 2024 // 4th Qualifier
Omni-TellOmni-Tell LegacyOmni-TellLegacy Preliminary 2024-03-13 (1)
Sneak and ShowSneak and Show LegacySneak and Show2023 NA Legacy Champs
Cradle ControlCradle Control Legacy5c Zenith$1K - Legacy - SCG CON Hartford - Friday - 1:00 pm
Simic Show and TellSimic Show and Tell LegacyLegacy League Pavia 23/24 - Tappa 27
Five-Color ZenithFive-Color Zenith Legacy5c Zenith2023 Asia Legacy Championship
Bant MidrangeBant Midrange LegacyBant Control2023 Asia Legacy Championship
Bant InfectBant Infect LegacyInfect2023 Asia Legacy Championship
Four-Color Control (Yorion)Four-Color Control (Yorion) LegacyBlue Zenith2023 Asia Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The awe-inspiring power of Progenitus ensures that once it’s on the battlefield, the dominance over your opponent’s resources is almost inevitable. Its presence provides strong psychological and strategic card advantage by demanding answers from your opponent, which can thin their hand and resources while you continue to build your board state.

Resource Acceleration: Given its colossal mana requirement, Progenitus is often accompanied by decks built to accelerate resources rapidly. Incorporating Progenitus into a deck naturally encourages the use of varied mana sources and ramp spells, leading to more significant resource acceleration that can further your lead across all game stages.

Instant Speed: While Progenitus itself does not act at instant speed, it synergizes well with cards that allow it to be cheated onto the battlefield unexpectedly, such as through “flash” mechanics or during end-of-turn phases. Furthermore, having such a powerhouse in your deck can lead to playing a game of patience and control, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash this force upon the battlefield, much like a decisive instant speed play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Progenitus doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, but because of its massive mana cost, it often necessitates powerful acceleration tools or cheating mechanisms to get into play, which can leave your hand and resources diminished.

Specific Mana Cost: Progenitus has a notably intensive mana requirement, necessitating two of each mana color. This makes it very challenging to cast in a timely fashion, especially for decks that aren’t heavily tailored with mana fixing to meet such rigorous demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana cost of ten, including two of each color, Progenitus can be a cumbersome card to actually play. Its cost is significantly higher than many other creatures, and while it offers substantial power, its playability is constrained by that hefty investment, often making it a late-game feature or a target for alternative casting methods.


Reasons to Include Progenitus in Your Collection

Versatility: Progenitus is renowned for its place in ‘Superfriends’ and Rainbow decks due to its all-color identity, allowing for flexible deck-building around various strategies.

Combo Potential: As a creature with multiple synergies, Progenitus can be paired with cards like Natural Order or Sneak Attack for devastating battlefield impact, making it a powerhouse in combo-oriented decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with fewer exile and -1/-1 effects, Progenitus thrives. Its protection from everything literally puts it beyond the reach of most removal spells, allowing it to act as a formidable win condition.


How to Beat

Progenitus is a legendary creature card with a reputation for being nearly invulnerable on the battlefield. Its protection from everything means that it can’t be targeted by spells or abilities, and it can’t be damaged, enchanted, blocked, or destroyed by anything. This presents a significant challenge to players facing this behemoth in MTG.

To successfully confront Progenitus, you have to think outside the box. Effects that don’t target can circumvent its protection, so cards causing all creatures to be sacrificed or global effects that change the rules of the game itself can overcome its defenses. Think along the lines of Terminus, which tucks all creatures into their owners’ libraries, or a well-timed Supreme Verdict that destroys all creatures without targeting. Moreover, playing cards that change the fundamentals of protection, like Arcane Lighthouse or Glaring Spotlight, can open a window to target and remove Progenitus from the field. Utilizing these strategic approaches, players can find their way around the formidable protections of Progenitus, turning a grim situation into a winnable battle.

Understanding and leveraging the specific mechanics that can bypass ‘protection from everything’ is essential for any player aiming to triumph over this mighty mythical serpent in their MTG games.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the strategic depths of MTG with Progenitus, a card of monstrous power and invincibility. Mastering the use of this fearsome creature can revolutionize your gameplay, offering insurmountable advantages when successfully deployed. By tapping into resource acceleration and strategic patience, the potential to define the battlefield with Progenitus becomes tangible. Elaborate combos and decks, such as ‘Superfriends’ and Rainbow builds, can be constructed around its unique capabilities. Acknowledging its vulnerabilities to non-targeted removal, savvy players can also learn defensive maneuvers. Embrace the challenge – enhance your collection, knowledge, and strategies with our insights and become a more formidable opponent in the MTG arena.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Progenitus MTG card by a specific set like Grand Prix Promos and Conflux, 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 Progenitus and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Progenitus Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2007-02-24 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-02-24Grand Prix PromosPGPX 20172015NormalBlackJaime Jones
22009-02-06ConfluxCON 1212003NormalBlackJaime Jones
32011-08-26From the Vault: LegendsV11 92003NormalBlackMike Bierek
42013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1822003NormalBlackJaime Jones
52019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11632015NormalBlackJohn Avon
62020-09-26The ListPLST CON-1212003NormalBlackJaime Jones

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Progenitus has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-02-01 Progenitus can still be affected by effects that don’t target it or deal damage to it (such as Day of Judgment).
2009-02-01 “Protection from everything” means the following: Progenitus can’t be blocked, Progenitus can’t be enchanted or equipped, Progenitus can’t be the target of spells or abilities, and all damage that would be dealt to Progenitus is prevented.