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MTG March of the Machine preview card: Gnottvold Hermit / Chrome Host Hulk

Phyresis is the transformation of an organic living creature into a Phyrexian creature after exposure to glistening oil

The Phyrexian invasion of the Multiverse is coming to an end on 21 April.

And this time, Transform is set to make a splash in the upcoming Magic: The Gathering set March of the Machine. No, not with the Transformers from Universes Beyond somehow taking the fight to New Phyrexia.

Phyresis is the transformation (heh) of an organic living creature into a Phyrexian creature after exposure to glistening oil, and it has always been the preferred method for any kind of Phyrexian invasion (and compleating our favourite planeswalkers).

The whole Multiverse is now under siege, and it is no surprise that a creature like Gnottvold Hermit from the plane of Kaldheim is susceptible to glistening oil and subsequently transforms into a Chrome Host Hulk.

For three generic mana, and one green mana, Gnottvold Hermit is a 4/4 Troll with one activated ability which can only be activated as a sorcery.

Gnottvold Hermit and Chrome Host Hulk
TrollGPT-4 looks nasty. (Images: Wizards of the Coast).

With five generic mana, and one Phyrexian blue mana (which can either be paid with blue mana or 2 life), players can transform Gnottvold Hermit into Chrome Host Hulk by flipping the card onto its back (i.e. Gnottvold Hermit is a double faced card).

Chrome Host Hulk is now a 5/5 Phyrexian Troll, and whenever it attacks, up to one other target creature has base power and toughness 5/5 until end of turn.

Without transforming, Gnottvold Hermit is just a generic creature, but when it transforms into Chrome Host Hulk, it suddenly makes your board state a little scarier since a small 1/1 creature might now be a 5/5 swinging at your opponent, along with Chrome Host Hulk.

However, for five generic and one Phyrexian mana to transform (and at sorcery speed), this card might be a little too slow for Constructed in Standard, and will possibly see more play in Limited formats.

Did this Inquisitor find out about Urabrask's betrayal? (Image: Wizards of the Coast)
Did this Inquisitor find out about Urabrask's betrayal? (Image: Wizards of the Coast)

Creatures that can transform into Phyrexian creatures also look like they will play a prominent feature in March of the Machine, with new cards like Norn's Inquisitor, which makes transformed Phyrexian creatures even stronger with an additional +1/+1 counter.

These could add up quickly, offering new ways to overwhelm your opponents and make them see the glory of AI. I mean, Phyrexia.

Pre-release for March of the Machine will take place between 14-16 April.

Jay is a content creator who likes to hoard vintage photographic lenses, and loses too often in Dota 2 and Magic: The Gathering after work.

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