Phantom Nantuko
Creature — Insect Spirit
Trample
This creature enters with two +1/+1 counters on it.
If damage would be dealt to this creature, prevent that damage. Remove a +1/+1 counter from this creature.
: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
- CMC
- 3
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- G
- Rarity
- rare
- Set
- Commander 2013
- Price
- $0.27
- EDHREC rank
- #16004
Phantom Nantuko enters as a 2/2 that replaces its +1/+1 counters with prevention shields, making it effectively immune to damage as long as those counters last — the threat is real, but the payoff collapses the moment a single removal spell or counter-stripping effect hits the board. It's a niche piece that demands specific support to justify the slot.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | not legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Phantom Nantuko sees essentially no competitive play in Legacy or Vintage — the formats move too fast for a three-mana 2/2 that requires counter support to do anything threatening. Commander is the only realistic home, where the slower pace and proliferate synergies give the prevention mechanic room to matter. In counter-heavy decks, Phantom Nantuko can act as a persistent blocker that eats removal inefficiently from the opponent's perspective, but outside that narrow context it underperforms.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.27 bulk tier
At $0.27, Phantom Nantuko is deep bulk — you're not paying for power, you're paying for the interaction. Don't expect the price to move; demand is too narrow and supply is wide enough to keep it pinned at the floor.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.