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When to First-Pick Phyrexian Slayer in Draft

If you’ve ever drafted Invasion-era storm of artifacts and combined colors, you know that some creatures age like fine copperware—functional, often underappreciated, but perfectly capable of turning a game around on a well-timed swing. Phyrexian Slayer is one of those cards that feels modest at first glance, then reveals its bite when you actually play it. A 3 generic plus black mana investment for a 2/2 flyer with a very specific, hard-hitting line of text can swing matchups against white-based strategies in surprising ways. 🧙‍♂️🔥

Card snapshot: what Phyrexian Slayer brings to the table

• Name: Phyrexian Slayer
• Mana cost: {3}{B} (CMC 4)
• Type: Creature — Phyrexian Minion
• Power/Toughness: 2/2
• Color: Black (color identity: B)
• Rarity: Common
• Shadowed ability: Flying. When this creature becomes blocked by a white creature, destroy that creature. It can’t be regenerated.
• Set: Invasion (expansion), released 2000-10-02

“Benalia was only the first nation victimized by Tsabo Tavoc's specialized killers.” — flavor text

That last line isn’t just flavor—it hints at the card’s design philosophy: a white block is a frequent obstacle in limited, and Phyrexian Slayer flips the dynamic by turning a potential trade into a guaranteed removal of the blocker upon blocking. In a format where flying, evasive threats are precious, this is a respectable workhorse that can clog the air and punish overzealous blockers. The flying keyword adds an extra layer of inevitability when your fallback plan is to race in with a few fast fliers. ⚔️

Strategic timing: when to prioritize this in a draft

In a vacuum, Phyrexian Slayer sits at a crossroads. It’s a four-mana, flyered creature with a strong upside against white decks that rely on air blockers and cheap fliers. The question in draft: is it a first-pick favorite or a solid mid-pack pick? The answer depends on your pool and lane assignments. If your curve is already tight with early black removal and you’re leaning into a classic black midrange or tempo strategy, Phyrexian Slayer earns its keep by forcing the opponent to respect your aerial tempo.

As a first-pick candidate, its strength tilts toward decks with early black removal and accelerants, plus a suite of evasive threats. If your pack contains a few other black enablers—say discard or efficient removal—this 2/2 flyer becomes a persistent problem for white decks leaning on a wall of white creatures. In limited, a blessed thing about this card is its resilience: even if your opponent chooses to chump, you’re still pressuring the harder-to-answer flyer role that black often vacuums up in late packs. And because it can destroy the blocked white creature, it essentially wipes out a key piece of their tempo while staying on the battlefield. 🧙‍♂️

On the flip side, if your pool is lacking in immediate removal or if white has a robust early board, Phyrexian Slayer might be a more situational pick. It’s not a powerhouse like a premium rare in a top-tier draft environment, but its proactive lines can swing a game when white’s board state is fragile or token-heavy. In such contexts you’re not just drafting a creature—you’re drafting a removal engine that protects your life total while you set up your late-game plans. The timing matters as much as the body, and that’s the beauty of Invasion-era design: tempo and removal collide in clever ways. 🎲

Archetypes where Phyrexian Slayer shines

Black aggro and black tempo archetypes benefit from this card’s evasive pressure and its ability to “kill the blocker” on a white board. It pairs nicely with removal-centric black cards that can clear blockers or handle opposing fatties, letting the Slayer fly in for damage or pressure. In a multicolor environment, Phyrexian Slayer also helps in games where you’re drafting a midrange or control deck that needs a cheap, reliable beater with a built-in answer to white’s curve. Its resilience against regeneration further cements its value in boards where regeneration tricks aren’t as ubiquitous as they might be in modern sets. 🔥

Flavor and function meet in a more nostalgic sense: the Invasion block emphasized cross-color synergies and explosive combat tricks. A card like Phyrexian Slayer embodies that philosophy—simple on the surface, with a stubborn edge against a common white tactic. It’s a reminder that in the nostalgic drafts of the era, sometimes the most unassuming creatures deliver the most enduring value. 💎

Design, price, and collectibility in the current landscape

As a common from the Invasion set, Phyrexian Slayer isn’t chasing price spikes or chase-foil chase sequences. In modern terms, it’s a historical piece that teaches players about block dynamics and the enduring appeal of evasion. Its foil version interestingly commands a modest premium over nonfoil—reflecting its rarity and the allure of foil treatment on older cards. If you’re a collector who enjoys budget-friendly staples with a story, this card sits in a sweet spot between playability and nostalgia. For grinders on a budget, it remains a credible pickup for a toy-black archetype or casual Commander decks that appreciate flying beaters with a little extra bite. ⚔️

In the end, Phyrexian Slayer isn’t about overpowering the board by itself; it’s about creating leverage—turning blocked white creatures into a lost tempo play and using wings to threaten lethal turns in a turn or two. If your draft pool offers the right support, you’ll find that this old-school minion can feel surprisingly modern in the right shell. And if you’re thinking about real-world cross-promotional gear while you draft, you can always carry a little MTG energy with you—just like a neon, MagSafe-friendly phone case that keeps your essentials in check while you keep your eye on the prize. 🧙‍♂️🎨

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