The Casual Planeswalker

Tag: immolating souleater

  • Killer Combos – “Life and Death”

    Killer Combos – “Life and Death”

    Phyrexian Unlifeplus signDeath's Shadow

    When the Casual Planeswalker Crew went to the New Phyrexia Pre-Release, some of the cards we were most looking forward to snatching up were those employing the new Phyrexian mana symbols. Cards like Porcelain Legionnaire
    Porcelain Legionnaire     and T-t-t-Thundering Tanadon
    Thundering Tanadon     (inside joke, but I hope everyone else feels as silly as I do saying this card’s name – goofiest name since Wooly Whatsit, I mean, Woolly Thoctar) are still wreaking havoc in our playgroup as we experiment with decks restricted to the Scars block.

    In the sealed event I played in at the Pre-Release, my rare from NPH was Phyrexian Unlife, a card that isn’t great in a Limited setting, but has proved to be a lot of fun in Constructed. I first threw the enchantment into my “Life for Death” pre-con, then made some alterations, picked up a full playset of Unlifes and have been tearing things up with a Red/White Phyrexian suicide deck.

    So far I’ve had a lot of fun with Phyrexian Unlife, and I haven’t even started making decks with the broader range of cards. My first thought about Unlife in Standard is to combine it with Death’s Shadow.

    As early as the third turn (with a Dark Ritual
    Dark Ritual    ) you can play your Unlife, attack with Immolating Souleater
    Immolating Souleater    , pump him to reduce your life total to nothing (or next to it), and even if he doesn’t connect your opponent will waste a spell or blocker dealing with him.

    Nine times out of ten your opponent is going to Doomblade
    Doomblade    /Lightning Bolt
    Lightning Bolt    /Glissa’s Scorn
    Glissa’s Scorn     your Souleater, which will make them even less prepared for the 11/11 Death’s Shadow you play in your second main phase.

    There’s a lot of fun to be had with Phyrexian Unlife. Please comment and let us know how you plan to exploit this card, or add to this combo. Melira, Sylvok Outcast, Near-Death Experience, Fling…

  • Pre-Pre-Release Inklings – Phyrexian Firebreathing

    Pre-Pre-Release Inklings – Phyrexian Firebreathing

    Immolating SouleaterEveryone here at the Casual Planeswalker is eagerly anticipating our trip to Denver’s Pre-Release for New Phyrexia, hosted by Front Range Magic. While there’s a lot to look forward to in the new set, including the Praetors
    March of the Praetors Post    , a whole menagerie of new Living Weapons, and more Infect than you can shake a Staff of the AgesStaff of the Ages
    Staff of the Ages     at, there are few things about the set that have occurred to us as being a little less obvious, but nonetheless significant.

    One factor that we think might play a game-changing role on Saturday is the phenomenon we’ve affectionately dubbed “Phyrexian Firebreathing”.

    There certainly isn’t an abundance of creatures with this ability, but there is the potential to use Immolating Souleater to deal 10+ damage on the third turn and that’s nothing to sneeze at. While Ogre Menial might not exactly look appealing,Ogre Menial he’s got Infect built in and will only need half as much pumping for the kill-shot.

    Of course, the most obvious member of this elite club is Moltensteel Dragon. Under most circumstances you’ll be able to use Phyrexian mana to power Moltensteel Dragon onto the battlefield on the third or fourth turn. Because this format will be light on fliers (with the exception of some over-priced Blue drakes) Molty will be that much more likely to go unblocked. Then, pump ad nauseum (your own) and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are using the luxuries provided by Phyrexian domination to the fullest.

    But wait, folks, that’s not all. There are few ways to take Phyrexian Firebreathing from good to great. In addition to the obvious compliment provided by Green in pumping and life gain, there is the possibility of lending your Firebreathers Infect via Triumph of the Hordes.

    Moltensteel Dragon

    Similar to employing life gain to bring yourself back from the brink is the use of Phyrexian Unlife which would allow you to utilize ALL of your life total for pumping, leaving you open to death by poison, but probably within range of the win.

    Of course mana acceleration in the form of GeosurgeGeosurgeGeosurge would allow you to deal the damage your need without borrowing so hard against your life total. Priest of Urabrask, the red-headed stepchild of Priest of Gix
    Priest of Gix    , similarly pays for himself but with the additional benefit of mana-fixing.

    Finally, the presence of both Moltensteel and Souleater in the Life for Death Intro Pack makes it one of our favorites as far as the New Phyrexia pre-cons go. These aggressive creatures combined with life gain and great defenders like Cathedral Membrane
    Cathedral Membrane    , make us super-excited to play with this new deck. More than likely we’ll make “dibs” on Life for Death the consolation prize for being the first guy to drop out off his respective event.

    As with any great new ability, there are a myriad of ways to get your jollies using Phyrexian Firebreathing. We think it’s going to be a significant, or at least enjoyable, aspect of our gameplay this coming Saturday, but we’d love to hear what you think.

    Triumph of the HordesPhyrexian UnlifePriest of Urabrask