Abyssal Horror MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 115
1999-07-01 - Number 63
2001-04-11 - Number 115★
2001-04-11 - Number 115
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Horror |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying When Abyssal Horror comes into play, target player chooses and discards two cards.
It has no face of its own—it wears that of its latest victim.
Cards like Abyssal Horror
Abyssal Horror stands as an intriguing creature in the Magic: The Gathering universe. Residing in the same brooding space as Faceless Butcher, both cards offer the utility of removing an opponent’s resources upon entering the battlefield. Abyssal Horror, however, demands a steeper price, asking players to relinquish two cards from their hand, as opposed to Faceless Butcher’s temporary exile of a single creature.
Delving further into the depths, we encounter Phyrexian Gargantua. Similar in the aspect of providing card advantage, this grotesque creature also penalizes with life loss, a different resource than cards. It’s a balance between affecting the board state and managing your life total.
Crafty players might equate the Horror’s effect to that of Hypnotic Specter, a creature feared for its ability to disrupt hands. While the Specter nibbles at opponents’ choices with each attack, Abyssal Horror devours a chunk instantly. With each card offering its unique spin on hand disruption, Abyssal Horror claims its niche in MTG as a creature with a formidable presence and psychological pressure on opponents.
Cards similar to Abyssal Horror by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Abyssal Horror card offers a significant edge through its enter-the-battlefield ability, allowing you to strip two cards from an opponent’s hand. This not only disrupts their strategy but also tips the balance of card numbers in your favor, ensuring you maintain a substantial level of control over the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Abyssal Horror itself doesn’t directly provide mana or resource acceleration, it can essentially serve as a resource denial mechanic by disrupting your opponent’s hand. This kind of indirect resource acceleration can limit your opponent’s capacity to respond, effectively giving you a faster route to your game-winning plays.
Instant Speed: Abyssal Horror operates at sorcery speed; however, its intimidating presence can alter how your opponent plays, potentially making them hold back instant speed removals or counterspells in fear of your looming threat. This psychological impact can indirectly mimic the advantages typically afforded by instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Abyssal Horror necessitates discarding two cards upon entering the battlefield. This can significantly set back your hand, especially if you’re unable to leverage the discarded cards for additional value or if you are already struggling with card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and generic mana, Abyssal Horror’s casting cost can be restrictive. It demands a solid base of black mana, which may not always align with multi-colored or less mono-focused decks, limiting its inclusivity in various strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With six mana to get Abyssal Horror into play, the cost is relatively steep for its 6/6 stats and enters the battlefield effect. In many scenarios, players might find other six mana creatures or spells that provide a greater immediate impact or value without the detrimental discard requirement.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Abyssal Horror offers an element of control due to its ability to force an opponent to discard cards upon entering the battlefield. This makes it a useful addition to black control decks or any strategy looking to deplete an opponent’s hand.
Combo Potential: This creature pairs well with reanimation tactics or any deck that thrives off graveyard strategies. By repeatedly casting Abyssal Horror, players can consistently distress opponents by attacking their hand, making it a persistent threat in longer games.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that favors creature-based decks or those with heavy reliance on hand synergies, including Abyssal Horror can provide crucial disruptions. Its presence can sway the tempo of the game and offers a strategic edge against decks that require a full grip of cards to execute their strategy effectively.
How to beat
Confronting the Abyssal Horror can challenge many MTG players due to its ability to unnerve opponents when it lands on the battlefield. This shadowy creature often demands an immediate answer; otherwise, it’s capable of wreaking havoc on one’s game plan. To successfully counter this formidable foe, focusing on swift removal is essential. Cards like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can exile Abyssal Horror before it makes a notable impact on the game. Alternatively, ensuring that your own creatures can outclass the Horror in battle is another strategy.
Counterspells are also a reliable tool to prevent Abyssal Horror from ever entering the fray. By holding up mana for spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak when your opponent has four mana open, you can effectively neutralize the threat. Should it manage to slip through your defenses, turning to board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the field. Lastly, leveraging graveyard manipulation with Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt can further diminish the chances of an Abyssal Horror returning from the beyond.
Overall, maintaining versatile and responsive plays in your deck will enhance your resilience against Abyssal Horror and similar threats, keeping you one step ahead in the vast and strategic realm of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Abyssal Horror MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Starter 1999, 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 Abyssal Horror 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Abyssal Horror Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 115 | 1997 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
| 2 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 63 | 1997 | Normal | White | rk post | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 115★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 115 | 1997 | Normal | White | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Abyssal Horror has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |