Abaddon the Despoiler MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Astartes Warrior
Abilities Mark of Chaos Ascendant,Trample
Power 5
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Abaddon the Despoiler promises card advantage, letting the player out-resource competitors with draw or discard mechanics.
  2. Resource acceleration is this card’s specialty, enabling players to summon high-cost cards earlier, shifting game dynamics.
  3. The card demands strategic use of instant speed interactions, allowing for disruptive plays and on-the-fly responses.

Text of card

Trample Mark of Chaos Ascendant — During your turn, spells you cast from your hand with mana value X or less have cascade, where X is the total amount of life your opponents have lost this turn.

Under his rule, there is but one creed: Chaos shall reign.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Abaddon the Despoiler shines when it comes to squeezing extra value out of every card. This MTG card is a powerhouse in terms of card advantage, often allowing you to draw additional cards or force your opponent to discard, ensuring you steadily outpace your competition in resources.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration is key to getting ahead in MTG, and Abaddon the Despoiler can be a game-changer. With abilities that might include ramping up your mana pool or cheating out high-cost cards earlier in the game, this card can be the turbo boost your deck needs to dominate the battleground.

Instant Speed: Instant speed interactions are at the heart of MTG strategy, and having Abaddon the Despoiler in your arsenal may provide you with the flexibility to cast spells or use abilities at a moment’s notice, disrupting your opponent’s plans and tipping the scales in your favor when they least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Abaddon the Despoiler demands that players discard a card to unleash its full potential. This can be a harsh setback for those already tight on their hand size, as sacrificing precious cards from your grip can lead to fewer options and a weakened strategic position.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Abaddon the Despoiler requires a precise blend of mana, which can pose a challenge. Decks not tailored to accommodate such costs might find it hard to consistently play this card at the optimal time, limiting its versatility within the vast array of MTG strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The power that Abaddon the Despoiler brings to the battlefield comes at a steep price in terms of mana. There exist numerous alternatives that could offer similar benefits for less, making it vital to weigh its impact against its resource demands to ensure it aligns with your deck’s tempo and plan.


Reasons to Include Abaddon the Despoiler in Your Collection

Versatility: Abaddon the Despoiler proves to be a flexible asset in many strategies, adept at altering the course of the game whether in a dedicated chaos deck or simply as a high-impact card in a variety of builds.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique abilities can seamlessly tie into numerous combos, serving as a catalyst in decks aiming to capitalize on discard effects or benefiting from an opponent’s high graveyard count.

Meta-Relevance: Given that competitive play often cycles through phases of graveyard and control-focused decks, having Abaddon the Despoiler can provide any player with a substantial edge, adapting swiftly and devastatingly to ongoing shifts in the meta.


How to beat

Navigating the challenge of Abaddon the Despoiler in Magic: The Gathering demands a strategic approach. This formidable card is known for its power and ability to unsettle games with its presence. When facing such an adversary, consider deploying removal spells that can target Abaddon before its controller gains substantial advantage. Cards with exile effects, like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can serve as clean solutions to eliminate it from play. Additionally, countering Abaddon with spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent it from hitting the battlefield altogether.

An alternative tactic involves mitigating Abaddon’s impact through board control. Utilizing sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field, addressing Abaddon and any accompanying threats. It’s also beneficial to manage your life total as a buffer against Abaddon’s damage through lifegain spells and abilities. Keep in mind that speed is essential; acting swiftly to disrupt your opponent’s momentum can be the key to coming out on top against Abaddon the Despoiler.

Optimizing your deck to include these responses ensures that you’re always equipped to confront and overcome the challenges posed by powerful cards like Abaddon in your MTG duels.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the depths of strategy with Abaddon the Despoiler, a card that offers card advantage, resource acceleration, and versatility to your MTG deck. Enhancing your gameplay with its unique abilities can turn the tide of any match. Carefully weigh its potential against your deck’s needs given the mana cost and discard requirements. Yet for those who harness its power, it can be a staple in a variety of deck builds, adapting to the ebb and flow of the shifting meta. Join us as we explore deeper strategies and find the perfect balance for your deck with Abaddon the Despoiler.


Cards like Abaddon the Despoiler

Abaddon the Despoiler enters the landscape of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering with a powerful impact. Its abilities and strength put it in a category with some of the formidable demons and warlords of the game. Akin to Griselbrand, Abaddon the Despoiler offers a significant body that can be a game-changer on the battlefield. Where Griselbrand allows for card draw at the cost of life, Abaddon the Despoiler imposes a different strategic advantage with its own unique set of abilities that can disrupt opponents.

Another comparable card is Rakdos the Defiler, which shares the demonic trait and presents a significant risk-and-reward factor for players. Rakdos demands a great sacrifice from its controller for a devastating effect on the opponent, while Abaddon the Despoiler may offer a slightly safer route to power without such steep costs. Additionally, Lord of the Void is a card that also resides in this echelon of threat, with a focus on exiling cards from opponents’ libraries—though Abaddon the Despoiler’s influence on the board may be felt more immediately in certain situations.

Comparing these giants of the game, it’s evident that each has its unique approach to dominating matches. Abaddon the Despoiler stands out due to its adaptability and potential synergy in decks that capitalize on disruption and control.

Griselbrand - MTG Card versions
Rakdos the Defiler - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Void - MTG Card versions
Griselbrand - MTG Card versions
Rakdos the Defiler - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Void - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Abaddon the Despoiler by color, type and mana cost

Sol'kanar the Swamp King - MTG Card versions
Nekusar, the Mindrazer - MTG Card versions
Ashnod the Uncaring - MTG Card versions
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Parnesse, the Subtle Brush - MTG Card versions
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Admiral Brass, Unsinkable - MTG Card versions
Sol'kanar the Swamp King - MTG Card versions
Nekusar, the Mindrazer - MTG Card versions
Ashnod the Uncaring - MTG Card versions
Mishra, Eminent One - MTG Card versions
Inalla, Archmage Ritualist - MTG Card versions
Evelyn, the Covetous - MTG Card versions
Parnesse, the Subtle Brush - MTG Card versions
Sol'Kanar the Tainted - MTG Card versions
The Valeyard - MTG Card versions
Admiral Brass, Unsinkable - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Abaddon the Despoiler MTG card by a specific set like Warhammer 40,000 Commander and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 Abaddon the Despoiler and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Abaddon the Despoiler Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Johan Grenier.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 1712015NormalBlackJohan Grenier
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 1782015NormalBlackJohan Grenier
32022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 3192015NormalBlackJohan Grenier
42022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 22015NormalBlackJohan Grenier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Abaddon the Despoiler has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal