Why is Phyrexian Obliterator so high?
Economics forum
Posted on March 23, 2016, 1:08 p.m. by alulien
And no, I don't mean I found a bag of weed and piece in the dresser. What I mean is how is a card that sees practically no play anywhere (EDH maybe? but the casting cost is so restrictive it's not jammed in every list with 
...) riding on a $30 price tag?
Looking at the price history on TCG Player looks like it was ~$15 until the end of 2013 and it's been $30 ever since. Anyone? Bueller?
GoldGhost012 says... #3
It hits like a truck, its ability is backbreaking, it's a mythic, it keeps trying to get used in Modern, and just about every casual mono-black deck loves it.
March 23, 2016 1:26 p.m. Edited.
Yea, EndStepTop you're right, it started to climb with the release of Theros. Wow, crazy how that has doubled the price and kept it there despite the relative lack of the cards presence in competitive formats. I'm thinking it might actually work in Modern now with the new Zombies from SoI, think of the curve: Gravecrawler to Relentless Dead to Geralf's Messenger to Phyrexian Obliterator capped with Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Sure, there's no interaction in this curve-out example, but the low drops are all very resilient and synergize well, and your top-end is totally back breaking or provides a huge life differential swing...
Plus, Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet seems like he'd be great in this list too...
March 23, 2016 1:34 p.m. Edited.
BloodoftheBloodMoon says... #5
Around the price spike, which was around theros, someone speculated it would be playable in modern with the printing of Gary, so they bought them out, assuming they would spike more than they did. That caused the price spike.
March 23, 2016 1:50 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #6
I don't think it was a true buyout. Casuals Fucking love this card and it's a mythic. Once it was hyped for actual play, the card bumped up in price.
March 23, 2016 1:54 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #7
Obliterator Rock is a real deck too.
http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=8022&d=246226&f=MO
I pilot the deck personally, and it stomps quite a few decks.
March 23, 2016 1:54 p.m.
grumbledore says... #8
Yea I also play obliterator rock. Every time I slam that mofo on the board, it feels sooooo satisfying lol. I think it's just one of those cards people love. When I play it, my opponent always says some variant of 'well, fuck.' people are EXTREMELY reluctant to attack if I have it untapped, and if i attack with it, it might as well be unblockable.
March 23, 2016 2:55 p.m.
Thanks for the good info, folks. Here's to hoping the Obliterator doesn't increase in price for the next little bit while I play with this deck concept.
March 23, 2016 3:22 p.m.
Because it is like Sheoldred said, "Behold blessed perfection".
:)
To me is a great representation of the power of black, and it has no drawbacks.
March 23, 2016 3:29 p.m.
The card is pure value for black control IMO. 5/5 body with trample and forced sac for 4 CMC. But then I am a casual...lol. Curve Vampire Nighthawk to Phyrexian Obliterator to a 5 CMC planeswalker like Lili or Ob? Beautiful.
Such a shame there's never any at my LGS.
March 23, 2016 3:30 p.m.
I have a friend playing mono black on modern. Still don't see why thebplan but it steamrolls over everything, Eldrazi included. This card gets nuts and works
March 23, 2016 5:04 p.m.
Lastdaysgunslinger says... #13
It may not be played in alot of tier decks but the card is a powerhouse.
March 23, 2016 6:27 p.m.
If you want to play Rock in Modern or Legacy, but don't have money for Tarmogoyfs, Phyrexian Obliterator is the closest thing. It doesn't come down as soon, but it stabilizes you once it lands. It forces your opponent to have Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares...which they may have already blown on a Tasigur, the Golden Fang, Scavenging Ooze, or some other such creature.
March 24, 2016 4:38 a.m.
Also consider Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx. I have seen it along with this card a few times.
EndStepTop says... #2
Hype from gray merchant. People keeping the idea that those two will be playable in modern. Also insane casual bait.
March 23, 2016 1:10 p.m.