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About This Card

Xenic Poltergeist is a 1995 Rare Spirit creature card from Magic: The Gathering's Fourth Edition, numbered 173. This black mana card offers unique artifact transformation utility.

Xenic Poltergeist

1995 • Magic: The Gathering • Fourth Edition

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Market Value
Raw/Ungraded Market: $0.62
Updated about 20 hours ago
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Market & Price History

  • $0.62
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    Guide Estimate
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    -1.6%
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Raw / Ungraded

TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Nov 11, 2026

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Product Overview

Description

Released in 1995, Xenic Poltergeist is a notable Rare card from Magic: The Gathering’s Fourth Edition, carrying the set number 173. Designed by Dan Frazier, this black mana Spirit creature plays a pivotal role in vintage collectors' sets, particularly for those seeking to complete the base Fourth Edition checklist. As a one-mana cost creature with one toughness, it serves as a flexible engine for artifact-focused strategies. The card’s ability allows players to tap it to transform a target noncreature artifact into an artifact creature until the controller’s next upkeep. The resulting creature’s power and toughness are determined by the artifact’s mana value, providing dynamic board presence. This mechanic was instrumental in black decks that relied on artifact synergy during the early years of the game. For collectors, Xenic Poltergeist represents a staple of 1990s Magic design, embodying the era’s emphasis on strategic depth and mana efficiency. The Fourth Edition release remains one of the most recognized sets in the game’s history, and owning this card connects enthusiasts to the foundational mechanics that shaped competitive play. Whether building a nostalgic collection or exploring vintage formats, this card offers both historical significance and gameplay versatility., collectors can find Xenic Poltergeist alongside other essential Fourth Edition cards. The platform supports enthusiasts looking to complete sets or acquire specific cards from this iconic release. By focusing on the card’s design context and mechanical role, collectors can appreciate its place in Magic’s rich history without relying on speculative value trends.

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Product Specs

Card Details

The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.

Catalog Profile

The core identity of the card within the set.

Year

1995

Series

Fourth Edition

Card Number

#173

Featured Subject

The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.

Game

Magic: The Gathering

TCG Attributes

Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.

Rarity

Rare

Artist

Dan Frazier

Material

Card Stock

Language

English

Mana cost

{1}{B}{B}

Type

Creature — Spirit

Power / Toughness

1 / 1

Color

B

Card Text

Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.

{T}: Until your next upkeep, target noncreature artifact becomes an artifact creature with power and toughness each equal to its mana value.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mana cost of Xenic Poltergeist?

Xenic Poltergeist has a mana cost of one generic mana and two black mana, totaling three mana. This makes it an affordable creature to cast in black decks that prioritize artifact synergy.

What does Xenic Poltergeist do in gameplay?

By tapping, Xenic Poltergeist can target a noncreature artifact and turn it into an artifact creature until your next upkeep. The new creature’s power and toughness equal the artifact’s mana value.

Who illustrated Xenic Poltergeist?

The card was illustrated by Dan Frazier, a prominent artist known for his work on early Magic: The Gathering sets.

Cards Named Xenic Poltergeist

Explore cards with this name across sets and editions. Check each card’s details before choosing a version.