I really like it! You know it will be fragile, being an illusion. But I just did a search for creatures in M11 that have targeting abilities, and there are only TWO at common. Blinding Mage and Infantry Veteran. So, while this dies to every piece of creature removal (which isn't so shocking, as it is creature removal), aura, and pump spell, it is otherwise fairly sturdy in limited. Seriously, this isn't a piece of filler junk. I think this is actually playable!
Posted By:
ZEvilMustache
(7/8/2010 6:05:20 PM)
Pulled three at the prerelease. This card alone made me play blue.
Posted By:
Lunarblade
(7/12/2010 8:56:29 AM)
An opponent is going to waste a card to get rid of it.... and there are not that many abilities that target creatures.
Its really not as big as a drawback as it first appears
Solid card for limited.
3/5
Posted By:
OutlawD1
(7/10/2010 4:57:22 PM)
I was trying to pinpoint what drew me to these illusion cards, and I think I have it.
They are basically a lure. They combine an aggressive body with a fragile drawback, making your opponent very tempted to use targeted spells (remember he must be TARGETED by a spell to be removed -not just affected by one) or play creatures with targeted abilities. In a mono-blue deck, you can load up on counter-magic in preparation for just such an occasion, pop this guy down and lure out your opponent's spells. If they are playing red they will be tempted to cast a fireball just to put 1 damage onto the Phantom (and the rest on you or something). So then you bring out your bigger stuff or just swing through with the Phantom. Remember, you also have bounce and tap-out effects at your disposal to control creatures with targeted abilities, such as Blinding Mage and Prodigal Pyromancer.
So, in a way, the fact that it dies so easily is what makes it worthwhile,... (see all)
Posted By:
Stray_Dog
(10/16/2010 1:05:06 AM)
People will pass you this card in draft. I ran two and they kill your opponents fast. Oftentimes they'll waste a pump spell like Unholy Strength just to wipe him off the board. It's very color friendly. I would recomened this as a a semi-early pick.
Posted By:
persecutor
(7/23/2010 11:09:23 PM)
Although it would be a terribly inefficient application of two awesome cards, you can get auras and equipment on this guy, or counter an otherwise nonlethal 'kill' spell, if you're also running Trickbind or Stifle. "Thanks for the Giant Growth, guy who thought it would kill my soon-to-be 7/8 big blue beatstick!" Simic Guildmage can do it for auras, which is awesome for the dozen or so blue ones that grant Shroud. Zephid's Embrace comes to mind. 6/7 Flying Shroud? Really not that bad for blue's version of Leatherback Baloth. Too bad it can't be done in pauper.
Posted By:
Minus_Prime
(1/31/2011 11:09:14 AM)
Doom Blade Kills Him No Matter What And Thats What I'm Gonna Run So I Think He's Pretty GOOD. Art = Spectacular 4.5/5
Posted By:
MasterOfEtherium
(1/5/2011 11:05:09 PM)
@Demonic_Angel13: They could have Flash instead. How does that sound? That way it can have pseudo-haste and still be blue.
I like Illusionary Servant better than this, but it's still an efficient fighter for blue. I wouldn't mind seeing more of these in the future; hopefully even with abilities such as the aforementioned flash, which would allow you to safely summon it end turn after your opponent has tapped out.
Posted By:
Blackworm_Bloodworm
(1/31/2011 1:49:05 PM)
Love everything about this guy, even his fragility (I use my illusions with Fecundity; they waste a spell, I draw a card, it's all good), and especially the artwork. Simic Guildmage for fun.
Posted By:
creepycrawler
(2/6/2011 9:10:08 AM)
/shroud
AWWWWW YEAH.
I like this card, it's fun stuff. It's nice to have a strong blue card with a drawback one can actually work around rather than some lame bounce after attacking/blocking or something.
Posted By:
Deepfried-Owls
(5/16/2011 6:04:46 PM)