Agony Warp MTG Card


Agony Warp allows control of the battlefield, providing card advantage and tactical benefits. Instant speed casting offers reactive play, enhancing versatility during complex in-game scenarios. Specific mana requirements limit use to blue and black mana-producing decks for strategic impact.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target creature gets -3/-0 until end of turn. Target creature gets -0/-3 until end of turn.

Life's circle has become inverted in Grixis. The same energy is endlessly recycled and becomes more stagnant with each pass.


Cards like Agony Warp

Analyzing Agony Warp, it becomes apparent why this card is valued in the multicolored spell arsenal of Magic: The Gathering. Agony Warp hails from a unique lineage of spells, offering both creature debuff and defensive capabilities in a single cast. For comparison, one might scrutinize something like Dead Weight, which permanently diminishes a creature’s power; however, Agony Warp’s utility shines in being an instant, which provides dynamic in-game response and includes a toughness reduction to potentially foil attackers and blockers alike.

Closer in functionality to Agony Warp is Eyeblight’s Ending. Both spells enable you to deal with creatures, but whereas Eyeblight’s Ending offers outright removal, Agony Warp affords the flexibility of affecting two creatures at once, making it versatile in more complex combat situations. Languish is another pertinent spell to consider, delivering a sweeping effect on the board’s power and toughness, but its higher mana cost and sorcery speed distinguish Agony Warp as the precision tool for on-the-fly adaptability.

When placed side by side with its counterparts, Agony Warp positions itself as a strategic asset for players who value tactical control and tempo in their gameplay, providing a blend of offensive and defensive options that can swing the tides of a match skillfully.

Dead Weight - MTG Card versions
Eyeblight's Ending - MTG Card versions
Languish - MTG Card versions
Dead Weight - MTG Card versions
Eyeblight's Ending - MTG Card versions
Languish - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Agony Warp by color, type and mana cost

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Lim-Dûl's Vault - MTG Card versions
Malicious Advice - MTG Card versions
Dimir Charm - MTG Card versions
Siphon Insight - MTG Card versions
Shadow of Doubt - MTG Card versions
Fate Transfer - MTG Card versions
Countersquall - MTG Card versions
Warped Physique - MTG Card versions
Tyrant's Scorn - MTG Card versions
Twisted Reflection - MTG Card versions
Drown in the Loch - MTG Card versions
Corpse Cobble - MTG Card versions
Tainted Indulgence - MTG Card versions
Bind to Secrecy - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Urborg - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Mist - MTG Card versions
Drag the Canal - MTG Card versions
Contaminated Drink - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Agony Warp. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Dimir ControlDimir Control PauperDimir ControlPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-03
Dimir FaeriesDimir Faeries PauperDimir FaeriesMonthly Tournament #38 @ Paper Pauper Magic Discord

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Agony Warp opens up the opportunity to manipulate the battlefield to your favor. By targeting an opponent’s creature, you can weaken its offensive capabilities or eliminate its threat as a blocker, indirectly leading to potential card advantage through superior board positions.

Resource Acceleration: Though Agony Warp doesn’t directly accelerate resources like a traditional ramp card would, it can contribute to resource acceleration by alleviating pressure. This is achieved by setting back an opponent’s creature and giving you more time to develop your board without the need to invest in additional defensive measures.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Agony Warp at instant speed is incredibly beneficial. It allows for trickery during combat, turning the tides by unexpectedly weakening an attacking or blocking creature. This versatility enables reactive play, making it easier to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of an MTG match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Agony Warp doesn’t have a discard requirement. Instead, it’s a simple yet versatile instant that targets two creatures, offering the player tactical flexibility during combat.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specific mana combination to cast—one blue and one black mana—making it exclusively useful in decks that can produce both types of mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing only two mana, there are spells in MTG that can offer more impactful creature control or removal effects for the same or lower mana cost, depending on a player’s strategic needs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Agony Warp offers a multifaceted approach to gameplay, capable of both diminishing an opponent’s threat while safeguarding your own creatures during battle. Its dual utility makes it a suitable addition to a variety of decks, particularly those aiming for control or tempo strategies.

Combo Potential: As a card that tweaks combat outcomes, Agony Warp can synergize with mechanics like Prowess or enable surprise comebacks when combined with cards that have on-damage effects. Its instant speed also offers seamless integration into intricate plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based decks are prevalent, Agony Warp gains significant value. Its capability to disrupt combat math and alter board states can be crucial in gaining the upper hand against creature-centric opponents.


How to beat

Agony Warp is a notable instant in Magic: The Gathering with the dual utility of weakening one creature while simultaneously diminishing the attacking or blocking power of another. This versatility can turn the tides of combat in your opponent’s favor. To effectively combat this card, it’s crucial to either bait its use prematurely or to beef up your creatures beyond its mitigating reach. Counterspells like Negate or Dispel can also intercept Agony Warp on the stack, denying its effect entirely.

Cards like Blossoming Defense or Vines of Vastwood can be particularly effective, as they offer a sudden boost in power or toughness, protecting your key creatures from being undermined by Agony Warp’s debuff. In addition, strategic gameplay that avoids over-committing to the board can mitigate the impact of such control spells. By maintaining a diverse and resilient battlefield presence, or by having alternative strategies that rely less on creature combat, you can weaken Agony Warp’s overall influence on the game.

Understanding and anticipating this control card can be the difference between a win or loss. Always be mindful of open mana and potential plays that could signal an imminent Agony Warp from your opponent.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Agony Warp MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Archenemy, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Agony Warp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Agony Warp Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Dave Allsop.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1532003NormalBlackDave Allsop
22010-06-18ArchenemyARC 762003NormalBlackDave Allsop
32015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1702015NormalBlackDave Allsop
42017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 1502015NormalBlackDave Allsop
52019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 13852015NormalBlackDave Allsop
62020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-1502015NormalBlackDave Allsop
72022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 1682015NormalBlackDave Allsop

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Agony Warp has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Agony Warp card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-03-14 The two targets may be the same creature or they may be different creatures.