Spectral Adversary MTG Card


Spectral Adversary excels in tactical gameplay with its unique phasing ability, disrupting the opponent’s plans. Flash ability allows for strategic plays and surprises, solidifying its role as a versatile creature in blue decks. While boasting impactful abilities, the card’s mana requirements and costs demand thoughtful deck integration.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flash Flying When Spectral Adversary enters the battlefield, you may pay any number of times. When you pay this cost one or more times, put that many +1/+1 counters on Spectral Adversary, then up to that many other target artifacts, creatures, and/or enchantments phase out.


Cards like Spectral Adversary

Spectral Adversary is a versatile creature that gracefully joins the Ghostly ranks in MTG. It closely mirrors the functionalities of other spirits like Spell Queller, which also gives you ways to disrupt the opponent while contributing a flying body on the board. Spectral Adversary stands out with its Multi-kicker-like ability, allowing you to phase out multiple targets if you have the mana, which can significantly swing the tempo of the game in your favor.

Another kin in spirit would be Nebelgast Herald, a card that taps down opposing creatures when a spirit enters the battlefield under your control. While similar in its disruptive nature, Spectral Adversary offers more consistent control, not relying on subsequent spirit casts to maintain its influence. Additionally, its ability to boost its own power and toughness gives it a clear edge in head-to-head combat scenarios.

When considering strategic depth and adaptability in various gameplay situations, Spectral Adversary emerges as a strong contender among spirit creatures, impressing with its immediate board impact and potential for late-game scalability.

Spell Queller - MTG Card versions
Nebelgast Herald - MTG Card versions
Spell Queller - MTG Card versions
Nebelgast Herald - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spectral Adversary by color, type and mana cost

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Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
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Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
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Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius TempoAzorius Tempo GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Jeskai TempoJeskai Tempo GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Azorius FlashAzorius Flash StandardAzorius FlashStandard League 2023-12-06
Bant TempoBant Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange StandardEsper FlashSupported by Rebound standard Supported by Rakuten Books
Dimir FaeriesDimir Faeries StandardDimir MidrangeDEN24 Sun 10:00 - Standard $5k Open 8-slot RCQ
Grixis AggroGrixis Aggro StandardGrixis MidrangeJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Azorius AggroAzorius Aggro StandardAzorius FlashJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Four-color ComboFour-color Combo GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir MidrangeStandard League 2024-01-21

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spectral Adversary provides players with a tactical edge by allowing the phasing out of opposing threats, effectively removing them temporarily from the game and bypassing any leave-the-battlefield effects. This ability can be a pseudo card advantage, disrupting an opponent’s strategy and board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While Spectral Adversary itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its multikicker mechanic can be used as a strategic resource sink. Investing mana into multiple instances of multikicker when casting can dramatically amplify its impact on the game, particularly in the later stages where mana is more plentiful.

Instant Speed: Its ability to be flashed onto the battlefield makes Spectral Adversary a versatile threat and a defensive surprise. The instant speed aspect allows players to keep mana open for interaction on an opponent’s turn and also strategically decide whether to deploy it as an attacker or hold back for a more opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Spectral Adversary doesn’t directly necessitate discarding cards, but its versatility can lead to complex decisions about which resources to maintain or let go, potentially resulting in disadvantageous discards.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue mana and generic mana makes this card less flexible, fitting primarily into blue-centric or two-color decks, which could limit its playability across the broader MTG landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a starting cost that might be considered steep for its initial stats, Spectral Adversary requires additional investment to capitalize on its strengths, potentially presenting a cost-benefit imbalance in fast-paced games or when facing mana constriction.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spectral Adversary fits into a broad array of blue-based decks, offering both creature disruption and a way to phase out problematic nonland permanents. This flexibility ensures it has a place in various formats from Standard to Commander.

Combo Potential: This card offers synergistic value in decks that capitalize on blinking effects or those that look to utilize creatures entering the battlefield for repeatable triggers, making it a staple in strategies leaning towards such mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to manoeuvre around your opponent’s threats and provide a quick clock as a flash creature, Spectral Adversary remains relevant in metagames where tempo plays are crucial, proving its worth in competitive environments.


How to Beat Spectral Adversary

Spectral Adversary, a versatile creature from Magic: The Gathering, is known for elusive characteristics that can create challenges for opponents. With its ability to phase out target creatures or nonland permanents, it requires strategic planning to overcome. One effective method is using removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes—think cards like “Shatter the Sky” or “Doomskar.” These allow you to handle an array of threats, including the Adversary, without needing to target it directly.

Counterspells also provide a solid line of defense. By countering Spectral Adversary as it’s cast, you avoid dealing with its phasing ability altogether. Additionally, watch for moments when your opponent is low on mana. Since Spectral Adversary’s abilities increase with mana investment, a depleted mana base on your opponent’s side minimizes the effectiveness of their plays.

In summary, overcoming Spectral Adversary requires a blend of foresight and tact. Incorporate untargeted removal and counterspells into your strategy, and remain keen on your foe’s mana status to ensure this ghostly creature doesn’t haunt your victories in the realm of Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding core card mechanics and their position in the current MTG landscape is essential in crafting a winning deck. Spectral Adversary, with its disruptive prowess and scalable abilities, can be a lynchpin in many strategies. Whether it’s phasing out blockers for a clear strike or saving key pieces from removal, this illusionary ally is poised to tip the scales in your favor. Dive deeper into its strategic uses, find out how it performs across various formats, or uncover the secrets to neutralizing it. With each layer you peel back, your grasp of the game’s intricacies sharpens. Explore with us and harness the true potential of your deck with Spectral Adversary.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spectral Adversary MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Promos, 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 Spectral Adversary and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spectral Adversary Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Uriah Voth.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 939162015NormalBlackUriah Voth
22021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight Hunt PromosPMID 77p2015NormalBlackUriah Voth
32021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight Hunt PromosPMID 77s2015NormalBlackUriah Voth
42021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 772015NormalBlackUriah Voth
52021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 3412015NormalBlackUriah Voth
62022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 772015NormalBlackUriah Voth

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spectral Adversary has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-09-24 After you pay the cost one or more times, a second ability triggers and you choose the targets for it. Players may respond to the new ability at that point. As that ability resolves, Spectral Adversary gets its +1/+1 counters and the target permanents phase out.
2021-09-24 An attacking or blocking creature that phases out is removed from combat.
2021-09-24 Any continuous effects with a "for as long as" duration ignore phased-out objects. If ignoring those objects causes the effect's conditions to no longer be met, the duration will expire. For example, phasing out Mind Flayer will cause the duration of its continuous effect ("for as long as you control Mind Flayer") to expire.
2021-09-24 As a permanent phases out, Auras and Equipment attached to it also phase out at the same time. Those Auras and Equipment will phase in at the same time that permanent does, and they'll phase in still attached to that permanent.
2021-09-24 Choices made for permanents as they entered the battlefield are remembered when they phase in.
2021-09-24 If an opponent gains control of one of your permanents, that permanent phases out, and the duration of the control-change effect expires before it phases back in, that permanent phases in under your control as that opponent's next untap step begins. If they leave the game before their next untap step, it phases in as the next untap step begins after their turn would have begun.
2021-09-24 Permanents phase back in during their controller's untap step, immediately before that player untaps their permanents. Creatures that phase in this way are able to attack and pay a cost of during that turn. If a permanent had counters on it when it phased out, it will have those counters when it phases back in.
2021-09-24 Permanents that are phased out are treated as though they don't exist. They can't be the target of spells or abilities, their static abilities have no effect on the game, their triggered abilities can't trigger, they can't attack or block, and so on.
2021-09-24 Phasing out doesn't cause any "leaves the battlefield" abilities to trigger. Similarly, phasing in won't cause any "enters the battlefield" abilities to trigger.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.