Phyrexian Obliterator SCD

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

We hope everyone had an oportunity to take in a Magic the Gathering New Phyrexia pre-release event this weekend. We attended a Sunday event which, although we had a blast, did not do very well with our sealed deck games. We did however manage to pull another Karn, the Liberated in a MiniMaster side-event so we're not feeling all that bad about the day. There were quite a few cards that we did pull which we are considering for inclusion in some of our standard constructed build, but we will have another post latter to cover off all of this.

For today, we wanted to yatter about an interesting card from New Phyrexia which might be making an appearence in several standard mono-black builds. We would also like to hear from you (via the comments form below) to pipe into our Single Card Discussion on Phyrexian Obliterator - the new Phyexian Negator -

Phyrexian Obliterator,
Creature - Horror, Mythic Rare
Trample
Whenever a source deals damage to Phyrexian Obliterator, that source's controller sacrifices that many permanents.
5/5

The single note in the New Phyrexia FAQ document provides the following : "Only permanents still on the battlefield when Phyrexian Obliterator's triggered ability resolves can be sacrificed.". The other important thing to note to avoid confusion is a careful review of the wording "Whenever a source deals damage to Phyrexian Obliterator, that source's controller sacrifices that many permanents." The words are not "a permanent", but "that many permanents" means for every point of damage dealt to the Obliterator, an equal number of permanents are to be sac'd. As this wording won't trigger after damage is dealt, the opposing player will not be able to sacrifice a creature which may have just swung into or just blocked the Obliterator - that player will have to sac one (or more) other permanents.

One way to protect yourself is a zero toughness wall such a Wall of Tanglecord which will be happy to block the Obliterator all day long. Alternatively, there are a number of spot removals available such as Go for the Throat, Dismember, Beast Within (for a serious threat down-grade) Journey to Nowhwere, a metalcraft Dispatch, Condemn, etc. or perhaps a more neutralising effect wuch as Tumble Magnet. Another strategy may be stealing the Obliterator - especially if are attacking with the Oliberator and another creature : we suggest looking into Act of Agression, Act of Treason, Captivating Vampire, etc.

There are a number of other cards in standard which one may want to consider if you are looking to build a mon-black deck with a sac theme : Mortician Beetle, Sadistic Sacriment, or It That Betrays.

The build of choice though would have a more agressive profile, namely using the new Lashwrithe equipped to Phyrexian Obliterator - having a 9/9 trampling horror is never a bad thing (except if you are facing one from the business end).

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Not sure if Phyrexian Obliterator will go nuclear just like Jace the Mindsculptor ? (perhaps not to the extent that it has gone)

You could wait and see if the hype dies down or take your chances that this card will only go up in value - stay tuned to places like MTG Mintcard and buy smart.

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