5 Devastating Phyrexian Decks for March of the Machine
March of the Machine amps up the ante for Phyrexian support in MTG! Instead of mainly being just ceremonial typing, effects that actively target Phyrexian cards finally see significantly larger play. Well, the number still isn't that impressive compared to Elves or Soldiers. But the incentive to build around purely Phyrexian cards becomes relevant, allowing earlier Phyrexians to suddenly become more efficient than they already are, thanks to the new cards in this set.
First, it is worth noting that despite the lore-related themes of the Phyrexians, the effects on color identities of the newer supports remain largely intact. White and Green still buffs, Black still sacrifices, among other expected abilities. So as a deck theme, you will not really find a single unified strategy for Phyrexian decks.
It is interesting, however, that despite the Urabrask faction gaining lots of new toys in March of the Machine, they remain thematically independent. As such, none of the featured builds in this list are splashed with red, despite many great red Phyrexian cards being ready and available. Well, you still got the familiar Atraxa flavors, though mostly limited to just Golgari or Orzhov.
Golgari Phyrexian Midrange
We've seen how mono-black dominated Standard over the last few months last year, right? Well, dial down that nightmare a notch, add all the best goodies of March of the Machine in it, and splash it with green. I know, boring. But it kind of reasonably works-ish. You have Bloated Processor
that can recycle everything on demand. Sheoldred // The True Scriptures
brings fifth and sixth copies of her edict plus an auto-win countdown (if applicable). Best of all, Grafted Butcher pushes everything away for your big Phyrexian army to rampage unhindered.
The deck could definitely use some extra space to put a few fight spells for the Phyrexian Obliterator
, since we're in Golgari anyway. Helps Glissa and Sleepers ping troublesome weenies like Skrelv, Defector Mite
a bit more cheaply too.
Featured cards
Golgari Phyrexian Midrange RANKED
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
Lands - 24
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
Lands - 24
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
| Other (3) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.00€0.790.41 | |||
| Creature (23) | |||
| $8.00€5.880.26 | |||
| $15.81 | |||
| $0.500.02 | |||
| $0.47 | |||
| $15.35 | |||
| $0.400.02 | |||
| $7.24€7.560.13 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (10) | |||
|
4
Cut Down
|
|||
| $1.20€0.900.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.130.03 | |||
| Land (24) | |||
|
5
Swamp
|
$0.94€0.450.04 | ||
| $2.99 | |||
| $0.590.02 | |||
| $8.60 | |||
| $10.94 | |||
| $5.00 | |||
| $7.51 | |||
|
1
Mirrex
|
$3.360.53 | ||
Abzan Incubators
More of an Incubator token deck, as suggested by the title. But as I have explained prior, the Phyrexian typing almost always overlaps for these kinds of decks. This one, in particular, is a concentrated combination of the best Incubator generators for each Abzan color. It is then supported by a late-game Glissa, Herald of Predation. An alternative strategy of Mite token buildup is also possible through Skrelv's Hive
and Mirrex
, though they are far more likely to be used as standard attackers. Do you want a Grafted Butcher to make them all tactically unblockable? Or would you instead turn them all into unbeatable first strike deathtouchers with Glissa?
Blighted Burgeoning
is a rather odd addition in the face of other alternatives. But I suppose the added mana fixing is good enough to combine with the additional Incubator token it generates.
Featured Cards:
💀🌳🥚 Glissa's Insane Incubation
Main 60 cards (19 distinct)
Lands - 24
Main 60 cards (19 distinct)
Lands - 24
Main 60 cards (19 distinct)
| Creature (23) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.60€2.970.30 | |||
| $0.490.02 | |||
| $0.280.02 | |||
| $0.500.02 | |||
| $0.25€0.230.03 | |||
| $6.10 | |||
| $0.350.02 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (13) | |||
| $1.92€2.050.10 | |||
| $0.23€0.140.03 | |||
| $0.18€0.060.03 | |||
| $0.350.03 | |||
|
3
Sunfall
|
$7.450.55 | ||
| Land (24) | |||
| $1.05€0.740.02 | |||
| $9.70 | |||
| $2.50€2.200.22 | |||
| $3.70€3.910.20 | |||
|
3
Mirrex
|
$2.77€3.180.55 | ||
| $0.49€0.610.01 | |||
| $0.49€0.400.03 | |||
Phyrexian Sacrifice
More aligned to what we know about traditional Phyrexians, this build creates a continued widening gap between you and your opponent through life drain and diversionary tactics. Bloated Processor and Corrupted Conviction
make sure that any move by your opponent will never result in a direct advantage, as you always recoup your losses just somewhere else as a response. If you do manage to pile up your resources, a timely Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings
and Invasion of New Capenna // Holy Frazzle-Cannon
will be ready to grab any alternative victories.
Drivnod, Carnage Dominus
is a surprise wildcard for this deck, as everything that it needs, from the triggers to the indestructible counter, is made 'locally' available by the same pestering combination of Bloated Processor, Crawling Chorus
, and Ichor Drinker
.
Featured Cards:
Phyrexian Sacrifice
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
Lands - 24
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
Lands - 24
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
| Creature (24) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.400.02 | |||
| $0.24€0.110.03 | |||
| $4.62€4.360.02 | |||
| $0.39 | |||
| $6.55€6.240.13 | |||
| $0.500.02 | |||
| $0.19€0.110.03 | |||
| $0.63€0.630.02 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (10) | |||
| $1.10€0.330.03 | |||
| $0.15€0.090.03 | |||
|
3
Pile On
|
$0.500.02 | ||
| $2.160.10 | |||
| Other (2) | |||
| $0.20€0.150.03 | |||
| Land (24) | |||
| $0.97€0.610.02 | |||
|
4
Plains
|
$0.150.03 | ||
| $10.17€10.840.17 | |||
|
6
Swamp
|
$0.190.03 | ||
| $0.590.02 | |||
Phyrexian Tribal
Similar color identity from the last, but with a considerably different strategy, using quite a number of unexpected cards. Most surprising was perhaps the use of Phyrexian Missionary
, though thematically, it kind of makes sense. You get a 3/4 lifelinker that is hard to block for at least a turn, thanks to Grafted Butcher. Annex Sentry
is also quite unanticipated, but understandable for the type of strategies this deck likes to use.
The rest are obligatory additions, even for something like Phyrexian Censor
, which could be a headache to check for lesser experienced players.
Featured Cards:
Mythic Rank Orzhov Phryexian Tribal
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
Lands - 24
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
| Creature (26) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.25€0.230.03 | |||
| $0.500.02 | |||
| $2.100.32 | |||
| $15.35 | |||
| $15.81 | |||
| $0.490.02 | |||
| $6.10 | |||
| $0.20€0.160.03 | |||
| $0.25€0.110.03 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (10) | |||
|
4
Cut Down
|
|||
| $5.15 | |||
| $1.20€0.900.03 | |||
| Land (24) | |||
|
5
Plains
|
$0.34€0.160.04 | ||
|
6
Swamp
|
$0.94€0.450.04 | ||
| $0.590.02 | |||
| $9.70 | |||
| $2.50 | |||
| $6.60 | |||
| $6.40€8.760.72 | |||
Side 15 cards (6 distinct)
| $5.50 | |||
| $1.02€1.651.02 | |||
| $2.74 | |||
| $2.55€2.891.95 | |||
| $0.84€0.570.02 | |||
Glissaning Dawn
This one can be treated as an aggressive version of the Abzan Incubator. It ditches most of the smaller Incubator token generators, mainly focusing on midrange-aggro strategies. Its elegance comes from its simplicity of use. Keep your opponent at bay with various disruptive tactics while you prepare your Phyrexian army for a tactically unblockable assault. The Bloated Processor is simply there as a bigger Crawling Chorus and as a speedy pump contingency piece.
Gix's Command
also gets its fair share of surprise board-reversal moments, since your creatures are basically immune to its second effect. And if a critical piece needs to be eliminated asap, a kicked Tear Asunder
will always be worth the high cost.
Oh, and if not obvious yet, the deck's title already gives away this build's main combo.
Featured Cards:
Glissaning Dawn ⚫️🟢
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
Lands - 24
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
Lands - 24
Main 60 cards (20 distinct)
| Creature (18) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.350.02 | |||
| $0.400.02 | |||
| $8.00€5.880.26 | |||
| $0.500.02 | |||
| $15.81 | |||
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (18) | |||
| $4.88 | |||
| $2.77€1.280.02 | |||
| $0.350.03 | |||
|
3
Cut Down
|
|||
| $2.56 | |||
| $1.20€0.900.03 | |||
| Land (24) | |||
|
4
Forest
|
$0.56€0.170.04 | ||
|
6
Swamp
|
$0.94€0.450.04 | ||
| $10.94 | |||
| $5.00 | |||
| $6.40€8.760.72 | |||
| $34.23 | |||
|
1
Mirrex
|
$3.360.53 | ||
| $1.11 | |||
About ChrisCee:
A witness since the time the benevolent silver planeswalker first left Dominaria, ChrisCee has since went back and forth on a number of plane-shattering incidents to oversee the current state of the Multiverse.
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