Juzam or Scuta...both are good creatures, and each is better then the other in certain situations. There are too many possibilities in this game to say that one is always better than the other. While Juzam was an unmatchable force back in the day, he just doesn't have that same power anymore. His price tag is based more on collectibility than playability, because big creatures with low casting costs are getting easier and easier to find.

  -- By Jim from Madison, WI on March 09, 2010

I really don't understand why people say that this is inferior to Juzam Djinn. A very popular comment is to say, "What happens if it gets unsummoned?" or "What happens if someone plays a counter spell and you can't play Phyrexian Scuta?" Well... What happened if all that happened to Juzam Djinn as well? I don't see anywhere on the Juzam card that could some how protect itself from the same way both of Juzam and Scuta can be countered and/or destroyed. It really seems that the only reason people say Juzam is better, is because it was one of the first black 5/5 cards for only 4 mana from the Arabian Nights set. Oh well, to each his own I suppose.

  -- By Anonymous from Cali on January 14, 2010

i wanted juzam but now i don't i will be buying this instead

  -- By Anonymous from west coast on July 20, 2008

i give this a 3 star because it could just get unsummoned or boomerranged and u have to keep on paying three life if u want to bring him out

  -- By keegs from san francisco on March 20, 2006

With lord of the Undead, these guys can be 6/6 and you can bring them out the graveyard for two..psh, pwnage. Put some demonic tutors in your deck and you're straight.

  -- By Philly from Baldwin, NY on August 21, 2005

way, way overrated. beatsticks that don't do anything else are for the most part, at least in the metagame(i play 1.5 almost exclusively), are three star cards at most(and yes, even 'juzam djinn' in my humble opinion). beatsticks that you have to pay life for are a mirage in the desert that's going to leave you eventually dead of thirst far from the real thing that will quench it. catching my drift? don't believe me? *sigh* well, like the good book says, " wide is the gate.....and narrow is the way......" you'll learn little grasshopper when your feet don't leave marks on the rice paper. only then will you be branded with the mark of a fullblown MTG player.............

  -- By Anonymous from gainesville, FL USA on March 02, 2005

a severly odd card. This is insane! What were the folks at WotC thinking!??? This is a broken card that IS'NT restricted or banned. If you run black, get 4. Your wallet may hurt, but so will your opponents facing a 5/5 on turn 1 using Sol ring and Dark Ritual. A definite key game winner!

  -- By Dr. Evil from Scotland on January 28, 2003

Scuta is good but not the god of all creatures i run four scuta and four juzam in my suicide black deck. that is a white and black why white, SAMITE HEALER CAN PREVENT THE DAMAGE JUZAM DEALS (which it cant prevent with scuta) so the point is scuta is good but juzam is still king end of point. grinning demon by the way is the best of all three cuz of his morph.

  -- By Gabriel ossa from Seattle, WA USA on December 28, 2002

this card is horrible a 5/5 for 4 mana and 3 life, with spirit monger you can get a 6/6 regeneration that can change color and grow for only 5 mana.

  -- By Anonymous from west3 harrison ny usa on September 11, 2002

Scuta May be one of the best creatures and Juzam too but certainly not best in the game pound for pound not even the best black if you had in play a hippie and a juzam or scuta what would your opponent try to kill first... the hippie of course! 5 damage is tough to take but everyone knows that card advantage wins games and the hippie is the master of it because what other creature in black do you see so consistently dropped first turn. he also is the greatest bolt magnet ever. The Morphling is probably the best creature in the game because with mana he is nearly impossible to kill and can take out your buddies Juzam and the Scuta no prob but it that is assuming you live long enough to play him but dont tell me you expect counterspells from blue

  -- By Anonymous from ANnonymous on August 10, 2002

This kicks i want it Juuzzamm Sux

  -- By Alasdair and Joe from Granby, CT USA on May 20, 2002

Juzam Djinn is back, and he's still got the power. A definite for when you're splashing black or when you're using it as a primary color. Juzam's drawback is more preventable, so it's a little better. But not by much. When you size 'em up, ya gotta love it. Destined to be a classic, if it isn't already considered one by most people.

  -- By Patrick Baker from Richmond, VA USA on March 27, 2002

Swamp, Dark Ritual, Sol Ring, Scuta... Any 5/5 you can summon on turn one is pretty darn useful.

  -- By Andy from Houston Tx on December 22, 2001

lets be real this creature sucks pay 4 mana and 3 life FOR A 5/5 i think that sucks there are 100 of better creatures in magic

  -- By Bjoern from Denmark on December 05, 2001

Scuta is simply the best creature in the game. It used to be Juzam Djinn but Scuta is just much better.The main reason why Juzam is inferior to scuta is you have the alternate casting cost. Anytyime during a game when losing 3 life or paying one life during your upkeep is going to be a problem then you can still get a 3/3 at no loss. I've played many a games in which good ol Juzam was stuck in my hand as a dead card because I was at too low of life, that will never happen to Scuta. Also, if the better drawback isn't enough, only costing one black insted of two is huge if your planning on splashing colors or playing damage lands. But like Juzam, this guy is a fat monster for only four mana, and can fairly easily be dropped on turn two, ending the game in 4 turns. There's a reason why juzam is the most valued creatue at almost $200, but there is no reason why scuta won't shoot up in value once it goes out of print. It will be played in all kinds of decks from type one to the most current beat down deck. I would

  -- By Trevor Blackwell from San Fransisco, CA USA on November 06, 2001

This card is excellent for anyone trying to make a deck with any black whatsoever. 5/5 for 4 and 3 life is a steal. First turn scuta sure all you need is a swamp, scuta and 2 rituals and you got it a 5/5 black powerhouse that will desimate your opponent in a mere 4 more turns so if i were you i would by 4 of these bad boys because if your playing black you should not go without it!

  -- By Matt Dow from arlington heights illinois on August 06, 2001

Cha-ching, what a beautiful creature. This creature card is for any black deck that wants to improve. A 5/5 black creature that one can get out on the second-third turn with a dark ritual, kinda reminds me of Juzam Djinn. This card is for all those who cannot front the money to buy the $150.00 Djinn. And at the price it is at right now, I have to say buy, buy, buy. The Phyrexian Scuta is a welcome addition in my deck, and in any other.

  -- By Cody Brown from Toronto, Ontario Canada on July 04, 2001

This version of Juzam Djinn is not quite as good as the original, but it is still an awesome creature. There's almost no chance you'll want to play it without the kicker, but that's ok as a 5/5 for 4 mana and 3 life is very fast, especially with Dark Ritual. Juzam is a bit better because if the Scuta is countered or returned to your hand the life loss can end up really hurting. However, Scuta has only one colored mana, making it easier to splash. I still think Juzam is better, but Juzam is perhaps the best creature ever, so Scuta is still awesome. Scuta is worth buying before he goes out of print and becomes very expensive. Probably the best black card in Type II.

  -- By Tim Destan from Gilbertsville, PA USA on June 26, 2001

Juzam Djinn went and had himself a son, and taught him how to fight like his old man. Anybody who can hit the table as a 5/5 on turn 2 or three consistently is bound to be a bully on the block. With cards like this one and phyrexian arena and all the nice discard available right now, suicide black might just be back in effect. I'd recommend getting your hands on a few of these, because hey, 4 phyrexians scutas are as cheap or cheaper than just 1 razor scuta.

  -- By Jeris Manning from Missoula, MT USA on June 25, 2001

Phyrexian Scuta is definately a great card, I do not agree that it is better than Juzam Djinn. If you pay the kicker for this and it gets unsummoned, thats 3 life that you can not prevent. Juzam Djinn is not life loss, but 1 damage that is dealt to you. You can easily prevent that with an Urza's Armor. Still, Scuta is a great card none-the-less.

  -- By Matthew Davis from Bronson, MI on May 29, 2001

This is a very, very, very, very, very good card. I am biulding a deck from Goblins and Zombies and this card is a key card. I would recommend it to anyone who wants black power.

  -- By Anonymous from Fairmont, WV USA on May 29, 2001

This is definitely an excellent card. For just 4 mana and 3 life you get a 5/5. Its definitely way better than juzam dijinn because you dont have to pay 1 life every turn you just pay 3 for the kicker when it comes into play, but best of all it doesnt cost 250$ like the juzam does!

  -- By Anonymous from NJ,USA on May 21, 2001