Darkness MTG Card


Darkness can singlehandedly negate an opponent’s attack phase, conserving your board state and life total. Flexibility of instant-cast spells like Darkness grants control over the flow of the game and mind games. Though powerful, Darkness requires careful deck construction to manage its mana and discard conditions.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Creatures attack and block as normal, but none deal any damage. All attacking creatures are still tapped. Play any time before attack damage is assigned.

"If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride,/ And hug it in my arms." —William Shakespeare, *Measure for Measure*


Cards like Darkness

Darkness holds a unique place in the realm of defensive spells within Magic: The Gathering, offering a shadowy twist to traditional combat tricks. It is often compared to the more commonly known Fog, which prevents all combat damage that would be dealt in a turn. What sets Darkness apart is its specificity to black mana decks, a color not typically known for damage prevention. Conversely, Fog is a green spell, aligning with that color’s theme of protecting creatures and life totals.

When evaluating similar cards, Safe Passage cannot be overlooked. This white spell is broader in utility, protecting not just from combat damage but from all damage for a turn. The difference lies in the mana cost and color alliance. While Darkness is a subtle nod to control, Safe Passage is more of a straightforward shield. Then there is Holy Day, the white color equivalent to Fog, offering the same effect at the same low cost.

Assessing the strategic value, Darkness emerges as a tactical choice for black-centric decks, particularly those seeking to surprise opponents by skirting the norms of their color’s capabilities. In the grand scheme, it demonstrates variability and range within MTG’s defensive spells.

Fog - MTG Card versions
Safe Passage - MTG Card versions
Holy Day - MTG Card versions
Fog - MTG Card versions
Safe Passage - MTG Card versions
Holy Day - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Darkness by color, type and mana cost

Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Marsh Gas - MTG Card versions
Gravebind - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
Defile - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions
Duh - MTG Card versions
Aesthetic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Stop That - MTG Card versions
Disembowel - MTG Card versions
Surgical Extraction - MTG Card versions
Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Marsh Gas - MTG Card versions
Gravebind - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
Defile - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions
Duh - MTG Card versions
Aesthetic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Stop That - MTG Card versions
Disembowel - MTG Card versions
Surgical Extraction - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari ControlGolgari Control PauperGolgari GardensOgonyok

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Darkness MTG card offers a tactical edge by potentially nullifying an opponent’s entire combat phase. Through stopping a swarm of incoming attacks, it effectively saves your hand and preserves the cards on your board, thereby maintaining your resources and positioning you for a favorable turnaround.

Resource Acceleration: While the Darkness card itself does not directly provide mana or acceleration, the preservation of your creatures and life total can indirectly translate to resource acceleration. By extending the game, you’re given more opportunities to draw and play cards that can accelerate your mana growth.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Darkness at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows you to navigate through your turn without commitment, keeping mana available for any surprises. This flexibility also offers significant psychological leverage, letting you pass the turn with open mana, thus making your opponent wary of walking into a potential trap.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One limiting aspect of the Darkness card is its contingent condition where the player must discard a card. This can be a strategic setback, particularly when a player’s hand is already running thin and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card commands a strict mana requirement that is exclusive to black. For players not running a monochromatic deck or one that leans heavily on black mana, incorporating Darkness into their strategy may pose a challenge and hinder the deck’s fluidity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The need to pay three black mana to actualize the effect of Darkness could be deemed excessive, considering alternatives might deliver similar value at a lower cost. This factor could potentially make it a less tempting choice in a player’s arsenal against more mana-efficient options.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Darkness exemplifies flexibility in gameplay by offering black decks an unexpected line of defense. Typically bereft of fog effects, black archetypes gain a strategic edge, allowing them to survive another turn against overwhelming forces.

Combo Potential: In decks that capitalize on life points as a resource or potentiate graveyard strategies, Darkness can be the crucial pause needed to set up game-winning combinations without the risk of an untimely defeat.

Meta-Relevance: With an environment often dominated by aggressive creature-based strategies, having a card like Darkness can provide a much-needed reprieve. It can disrupt momentum and give control or combo decks the time necessary to stabilize the board or assemble key pieces for victory.


How to beat

Darkness is a unique card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, acting as an instant-speed fog within the black portion of the color pie. Comparable to the classic card Fog, which prevents all combat damage for a turn, Darkness offers a similar respite but often catches opponents off guard in a color not typically known for such defensive strategies.

To effectively counteract Darkness, it’s essential to adopt a more flexible approach toward combat. Consider employing instant-speed removal or damage spells that can be cast after Darkness has resolved. Cards like Krosan Grip or Sudden Shock sidestep its protective veil by directly removing threats or damaging your opponent outside the combat phase. In games where Darkness may be anticipated, diversifying your threat portfolio by combining creatures with non-combat win conditions, such as direct damage or mill, significantly reduces Darkness’s potential impact on the game’s outcome. Moreover, spells that grant your creatures hexproof or protection from black on your turn, like Blossoming Defense or Mother of Runes, can provide a preemptive measure against such surprise defenses.

In summary, while Darkness can provide a temporary reprieve for your opponent, a strategic and varied assault that extends beyond the boundaries of combat ensures that its effect on the game will be minimal, keeping you firmly in control.


BurnMana Recommendations

Discovering the strategic uses of Darkness in MTG can provide a critical edge in combat scenarios. Whether it’s saving creatures during a pivotal turn or complementing a combo setup, this card has the potential to shift the tide of battle in your favor. Embrace the element of surprise and enhance your black mana deck with this unique instant. Keep in mind the balance and synergy of your deck as you consider incorporating Darkness. If you’re eager to understand the depths of its power and find other hidden gems within the MTG universe, delve deeper with us to refine your gameplay and tactics.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Darkness MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Time Spiral Timeshifted, 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 Darkness and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Darkness Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 941993NormalBlackHarold McNeill
22006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 401997NormalBlackHarold McNeill
32022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 197★2015NormalBlackDaarken
42022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 1972015NormalBlackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Darkness has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal