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Phylactery Lich

Core Set 2019 (M19)

{B}{B}{B}

Creature — Zombie

Indestructible As this creature enters, put a phylactery counter on an artifact you control. When you control no permanents with phylactery counters on them, sacrifice this creature.
Format legality

Constructed

StandardNot legal
PioneerLegal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
PauperNot legal

Commander

CommanderLegal
Pauper CommanderNot legal
Duel CommanderLegal
PreDHLegal
OathbreakerLegal
Tiny LeadersLegal

Arena

AlchemyNot legal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal
BrawlLegal
Standard BrawlNot legal
Competitive BrawlLegal
GladiatorLegal

Other

PremodernNot legal
Old SchoolNot legal
Penny DreadfulLegal
Future StandardNot legal

Used in 2 known combosEDHREC #17,312

Versions

4 printings · from $0.24

Core Set 2019
2018#113CheapestIn products
Core Set 2019 Promos
2018#113sIn products
Magic 2013
2012#104In products
Magic 2011
2010#110In products

Rulings

5 · latest Jul 13, 2018
  • WotCJul 13, 2018

    If Phylactery Lich and an artifact are entering the battlefield under your control at the same time, you can’t put a phylactery counter on that artifact. You must choose an artifact you control that’s already on the battlefield.

  • WotCJul 13, 2018

    If you control no artifacts as Phylactery Lich enters the battlefield, its first ability won’t do anything. As soon as it enters the battlefield, its last ability will trigger (unless you control some other permanent with a phylactery counter on it) and you’ll have to sacrifice it.

  • WotCJul 13, 2018

    Phylactery Lich’s first ability doesn’t target the artifact. No player may take actions between the time you choose an artifact and the time you put a phylactery counter on it.

  • WotCJul 13, 2018

    Phylactery Lich’s last ability checks your permanents for any phylactery counters, not just the specific one that it caused you to put on an artifact. For example, if you control two Phylactery Liches and two different artifacts with phylactery counters, neither Phylactery Lich will be sacrificed if one of those artifacts leaves the battlefield.

  • WotCJul 13, 2018

    Phylactery Lich’s last ability is a “state trigger.” Once a state trigger triggers, it won’t trigger again as long as the ability is on the stack. If the ability is countered and the trigger condition is still true, it will immediately trigger again.