Phyrexian Metamorph — Magic: The Gathering card

Phyrexian Metamorph

{3}{U/P}
Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Shapeshifter

({U/P} can be paid with either {U} or 2 life.)

You may have this creature enter as a copy of any artifact or creature on the battlefield, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types.

Power/Toughness: 0/0

Set Edge of Eternities Commander
Rarity Rare
Mana Value 4
Collector # 75

Why Play Phyrexian Metamorph

The flexible mana cost makes this an incredibly versatile threat that can be deployed as early as turn two by paying life, or fit into any blue deck's curve. Copy effects are at their strongest when your opponents are playing powerful creatures or artifacts, making this particularly effective in multiplayer formats where you can capitalize on the best threats at the table. The artifact typing is especially relevant, allowing it to dodge creature-specific removal while enabling synergies with artifact-based strategies.

Format Notes

Commander is where Phyrexian Metamorph truly shines, appearing in countless decks as a flexible answer that scales with the power level of the table. In Modern and Legacy, it sees occasional play in artifact-based combo decks and as a sideboard option against creature-heavy metas. The card's power level has kept it relevant across multiple formats without warranting any bans, though it's less impactful in faster competitive formats where the setup cost can be prohibitive.

Combos & Synergies

Copying Wurmcoil Engine or other high-value artifacts provides immediate board impact while maintaining the original's abilities and synergies. In combo decks, it can duplicate key pieces like Thopter Foundry for redundancy or copy an opponent's hate piece to turn it against them. Academy Ruins provides excellent recursion for the artifact version, while Transmute Artifact can tutor it up when you need a specific copy effect.