Infernal Darkness MTG Card


Can give a strategic mana edge, especially against opponents dependent on varied mana types for their spells. Effectively acts as a surprise, instant-speed disruption when played at the right moment in the game. Requires a resource sacrifice, making it less suited for multi-colored decks and can lead to card disadvantage.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Abilities Cumulative upkeep

Text of card

Cumulative Upkeep: o B and 1 life All mana-producing lands produce o B instead of their normal mana.

"I thought the day had brought enough horrors for our ragged band, but the night was far worse." —Lucilde Fiksdotter, Leader of the Order of the White Shield


Cards like Infernal Darkness

Infernal Darkness is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that shifts the landscape of mana production. It mirrors the effect of the notorious card Blood Moon, which also manipulates land capabilities. While Blood Moon transmutes nonbasic lands into Mountains, Infernal Darkness converts all lands into pseudo-Swamps, providing black mana but at a cost – each mana produced comes with a life payment. This card excels in mono-black control decks, where paying life for an upper hand is a familiar strategy.

Comparatively, Contamination is another card that enforces a chokehold on mana production. It requires a creature sacrifice each upkeep to maintain the effect, turning all lands into generators of solely black mana, akin to Infernal Darkness. However, Infernal Darkness offers a finer degree of control since it does not demand a creature sacrifice. Moreover, Contamination completely replaces the mana ability whereas Infernal Darkness adds to it, offering flexibility in its demanding, yet potent mana disruption.

When evaluating the landscape of mana altering enchantments in Magic: The Gathering, Infernal Darkness emerges as a compelling choice. It demands careful deck construction and strategy but in return offers a potentially game-warping effect that can severely cripple opponents’ resources.

Blood Moon - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Blood Moon - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Infernal Darkness by color, type and mana cost

Cursed Land - MTG Card versions
Pestilence - MTG Card versions
Lich - MTG Card versions
Nether Void - MTG Card versions
Breeding Pit - MTG Card versions
Greed - MTG Card versions
Takklemaggot - MTG Card versions
Feast of the Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Koskun Falls - MTG Card versions
Grave Pact - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Servitude - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Embrace - MTG Card versions
Vile Requiem - MTG Card versions
Parasitic Bond - MTG Card versions
Brink of Madness - MTG Card versions
Death Pit Offering - MTG Card versions
Tainted Aether - MTG Card versions
Strands of Night - MTG Card versions
Patriarch's Desire - MTG Card versions
Nefarious Lich - MTG Card versions
Cursed Land - MTG Card versions
Pestilence - MTG Card versions
Lich - MTG Card versions
Nether Void - MTG Card versions
Breeding Pit - MTG Card versions
Greed - MTG Card versions
Takklemaggot - MTG Card versions
Feast of the Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Koskun Falls - MTG Card versions
Grave Pact - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Servitude - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Embrace - MTG Card versions
Vile Requiem - MTG Card versions
Parasitic Bond - MTG Card versions
Brink of Madness - MTG Card versions
Death Pit Offering - MTG Card versions
Tainted Aether - MTG Card versions
Strands of Night - MTG Card versions
Patriarch's Desire - MTG Card versions
Nefarious Lich - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Infernal Darkness may disrupt your opponent’s strategies by influencing mana access, potentially giving you a tactical edge in the flow of the game. This translates into indirect card advantage as your opponent might not be able to cast their spells efficiently.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct accelerator, Infernal Darkness can act as a pseudo accelerator for you by hampering your enemies’ mana bases, especially in mono-black decks where the card’s downside is less impactful, allowing you to leverage your resources better.

Instant Speed: Although Infernal Darkness is an enchantment and not an instant, its effect can be akin to instant speed disruption. You can play it just before your turn to surprise your opponent, effectively acting under the guise of an instant by altering the state of play when your adversaries least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Infernal Darkness requires continuous resource sacrifice to maintain its effect. This could lead to a significant card disadvantage over time, hampering your ability to respond to opponents’ moves or to develop your own strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation leans heavily on black mana, which might not always be readily available, especially in multi-colored decks. It could potentially be a dead card in your hand if your mana base isn’t properly tuned.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to cast Infernal Darkness is significant when compared to other control or disruption options available. There are numerous alternatives that can lock down the game or create substantial obstacles for your opponents without the ongoing cost to your own resources.


Reasons to Include Infernal Darkness in Your Collection

Versatility: Infernal Darkness can adapt to various deck strategies that pivot around controlling the game tempo. Its ability to turn all lands into producing only black mana for a duration can be pivotal in mono-black decks or those that heavily rely on black spells.

Combo Potential: This card excels when combined with strategies that minimize its downside, such as decks with a surplus of black mana or those that can capitalize on opponents being temporarily mana-screwed, potentially locking them out of casting spells.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that heavily favors multicolored decks or depends on specific non-black mana to function, Infernal Darkness has the ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies, making it an intriguing sideboard option, or even a main deck choice for the right build.


How to beat

Infernal Darkness is a potent enchantment card that can be a real challenge for players when trying to maintain a stable board presence. Its ability to turn all lands into essentially Swamps can disrupt many strategies, especially in multicolored decks that rely on specific mana typings to cast their spells. Nevertheless, there are effective ways to counter this card’s influence. Keeping enchantment removal spells in your deck, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, can swiftly take Infernal Darkness off the board. Moreover, cards with mana filtering capabilities will help sidestep the problem by allowing you to produce the necessary mana for your spells despite the change in land typing.

Another strategy involves planning ahead. Predicting when your opponent might cast Infernal Darkness and setting aside mana of the desired type in response can mitigate some of the card’s effects. Also, consider leveraging spells that can be cast regardless of color, or including cards that benefit from having many Swamps. Ultimately, the key is preparation and flexibility, striking a balance between having answers in your deck and adapting your playstyle to overcome the temporary setback that Infernal Darkness can impose.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Infernal Darkness MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Infernal Darkness and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Infernal Darkness Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Phil Foglio.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 1351993NormalBlackPhil Foglio
22008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 971997NormalBlackPhil Foglio

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Infernal Darkness has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 This effect changes the type of mana produced, but not the amount. For example, if a land that’s tapped for mana would add to its controller’s mana pool, it adds to that player’s mana pool instead.