Dread Fugue MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 107
2022-01-28 - Number 374
2021-11-19 - Number 31
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Cleave |
Text of card
Cleave (You may cast this spell for its cleave cost. If you do, remove the words in square brackets.)
Target player reveals their hand. You choose a nonland card from it
-ith mana value 2 or less]. That player discards that card.
Cards like Dread Fugue
Dread Fugue is a compelling choice within the collection of hand disruption spells in Magic: The Gathering. Analogous to its counterparts like Duress, the Dread Fugue allows players to peek into an opponent’s hand and dismantle their plans. Duress, however, is limited to noncreature, nonland cards while Dread Fugue can target any nonland card in hand under specific conditions.
Looking at Thoughtseize, another similar spell, it has a broader reach allowing the player to choose any card regardless of type, at the cost of 2 life. Dread Fugue sidesteps this life payment at the gain of being more conditional. Inquisition of Kozilek also surfaces as a comparable card, with a limitation on the casting cost of the card it can target. Its parameters are less stringent than those of Dread Fugue, which is dependent on the opposing player’s hand size.
Assessing Dread Fugue against its peers, it stands out by blending strategic advantage with conditional execution. Its particular requirement can be seen both as a limitation and an opportunistic tool dependent on the flow of the match, paving the way for interesting gameplay dynamics in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Dread Fugue by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Dread Fugue. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BG | Modern | Modern Challenge 32 2024-05-10 | |
 | WBG | Modern | Modern League 2024-05-01 | |
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer | Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer League 2024-03-12 |
 | Esper Reanimator | Standard | Esper Reanimator | CCG Standard 1K |
 | Decklist | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Esper Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024 | |
 | Mono-Black Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Rakdos Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Orzhov Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dread Fugue stands out by giving players the ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies early in the game. Its knack for removing key cards from an opponent’s hand before they can be used translates to a significant card advantage, setting you ahead in the resource battle.
Resource Acceleration: While Dread Fugue itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the card’s efficient cost can seamlessly fit into your curve, allowing you to deploy other resource-accelerating spells or creatures without delay. This efficient use of mana keeps the tempo in your favor.
Instant Speed: This spell operates at sorcery speed, compelling strategic planning. While instant speed isn’t within its capabilities, the reduced mana cost and potential to force a discard before an opponent’s best play can mimic the surprise factor of instant speed spells by proactively shaping the battlefield according to your advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Dread Fugue forces the player to part with a card from their hand, which can be a strategic setback if their hand size is already dwindling or if they’re holding onto key pieces for their game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Dread Fugue comes with a black mana cost that necessitates a certain deck archetype. Those not running a deck with enough black mana sources might find it challenging to cast it on curve or as needed during crucial moments.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Consuming three mana, Dread Fugue can be seen as an investment that may not always align with the player’s curve. In the world of MTG, where efficiency is king, there may be alternative lower-cost spells that achieve a similar effect without taxing mana resources as heavily.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dread Fugue is a solid addition to any black-colored deck, fitting seamlessly into various strategies. Whether you’re running an aggressive discard deck or aiming for control, Dread Fugue’s ability to selectively pluck cards from your opponent’s hand gives you a strategic advantage throughout the game.
Combo Potential: This card plays well in combinations with other hand-disruption spells or cards that benefit from your opponents having fewer options. It can also support graveyard-based strategies as it directly influences the cards that get moved to the graveyard from your opponent’s hand.
Meta-Relevance: With ever-shifting metagames, Dread Fugue remains relevant as a proactive defense against combo decks or a key play against control decks. Removing key pieces from your opponent’s hand before they can be played keeps you one step ahead, cementing its role in competing with the latest trends in gameplay.
How to beat
Dread Fugue stands out as a strategic play in Magic: The Gathering, offering a way to disrupt opponents by forcing them to discard powerful nonland cards. This can be particularly troublesome for players relying on key cards to execute their strategy. To effectively tackle Dread Fugue, consider diversifying threats within your deck to mitigate the impact of targeted discards. Running an assortment of creatures and spells ensures that losing one to a discard effect won’t derail your entire game plan.
Maintaining a healthy hand size is also beneficial. This can be achieved by incorporating cards that allow for consistent card draw, keeping your options open and your hand filled with potential plays against such discard tactics. Additionally, having cards with flashback or other alternative casting methods from the graveyard can turn a discard disadvantage into a tactical edge, since those cards can be employed effectively from the graveyard if targeted by Dread Fugue.
Finally, be mindful of your play order. With a card like Dread Fugue in your opponent’s arsenal, it becomes more important to prioritize casting less critical spells first or baiting out the discard to protect more valuable cards in your hand. Through these methods, you can minimize the impact of Dread Fugue and maintain control over your game strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dread Fugue MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Crimson Vow Art Series, 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 Dread Fugue and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Dread Fugue Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Rovina Cai.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rovina Cai | |
| 2 | Crimson Vow Art Series | AVOW | 31 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Rovina Cai | ||
| 3 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 374 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rovina Cai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dread Fugue has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dread Fugue card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | A cleave cost is an alternative cost that's paid instead of the spell's mana cost. Casting a spell for its cleave cost doesn't change the spell's mana value. |
| 2021-11-19 | If an effect allows you to “cast a spell without paying its mana cost,” you can't cast that spell for its cleave cost. |
| 2021-11-19 | If you cast a spell for its cleave cost, that spell doesn't have any of the text in square brackets while it's on the stack. |
| 2021-11-19 | You can't cast a spell for both its cleave cost and another alternative cost. For example, if an effect gives an Alchemist's Retrieval in your graveyard a flashback cost of , you can't cast it from your graveyard for its cleave cost. |