It’s Been A Shard Days Night 
MtG Lists: The Top 2 Phelddagrifs in MtG History
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
– Rosa Parks
Hello my fellow paramours of the cardboard, I’m back again with another MtG Lists! When I say the word “purple hippo” what comes to your mind? That secret unit in Age of Mythology? Something more sinister? Or is it everyone’s favorite creature type in MtG, the phelddagrif? Since exploding onto the scene in Alliances, phelddagrifs have occupied an exalted place in the Magic community: part joke, part powerhouse. But up til this point there was no definitive ranking of the best phelddagrifs. Don’t cry. I made one. Don’t cry.
Mistform Ultimus is an obvious include. At a 3/3 for four mana it easily passes the vanilla test and can find a home in just about any tribal deck. Wizards clearly though it was #1 as they chose to have it be the lone purple hippo rep for all of MtG history in Time Spiral block’s “Timeshifted” cards. But before we go further, I feel we must be realistic about ol’ Misty: unlike all other phelddagrifs he can be taken by Goatnapper, he’s mono-blue and thus seeks to prolong the game instead of win it, he has zero interaction with artifacts (traditionally the most powerful cards in the game), and above all, that art isn’t doing him any favors. I mean, what’s the appeal? Regardless, Mistform Ultimus’s prominence has secured him a spot on the list. But let’s get ahead to what you’ve all been waiting for.
Don’t mess with the original. When Phelddagrif rolled up in Alliances it was like the world has stopped turning. I saw this card and Loved it. Legend?: Check. Rainbow?: Check. Purple Hippo?: The original Check. As a 4/4 for four mana Phelddagrif massacres the vanilla test. But look at all those abilities! Imagine this scenario: Swing with Phelddi, and give him flying. The opponent blocks with a Scryb Sprite. Give him trample, and the opponent Unsummons him. Bounce him to your hand, countering your opponent’s spell. G + W + U = Value aka an elusive One for Zero. Phelddagriff is also a main-stay in the EDH Commander format where he invented a style of play called “group hug” which forces players to interact and sort out their emotions with language instead of shipping the team. It’s rare that a Magic card makes a statement as powerful as Phelddi, but perched on his back we see that we are all one world. And that’s why he’s my pick for #1 Phelddagrif of all time.
Questing Phelddagrif is good, but not quite good enough to make the list. Unlike Mistform Ultimus it’s vulnerable to Eyeblight’s Ending, and it’s not even a legend and hence can’t be played in Command Zone Format. Like, who even remembers this card? Now I’m mad! It’s a shame because the art is really good.