Binding Agony MTG Card


Binding Agony turns creatures into two-way damage sources, altering the flow of combat and resource management. Playable at instant speed, it provides reactive protection and can shift the game’s dynamics when most impactful. However, it requires a specific mana cost and card discard, which can limit flexibility and impede hand economy.
Binding Agony - Mirage
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set nameMirage
Set codeMIR
Number106
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRobert Bliss

Text of card

For each 1 damage dealt to enchanted creature, Binding Agony deals 1 damage to that creature's controller.

A crash of rhinos in my head —Femeref expression meaning "a severe head pain"


Cards like Binding Agony

Binding Agony brings an intriguing twist to the enchant creature spell department within Magic: The Gathering. It stands in a niche club similar to cards like Stab Wound, which not only weakens a creature’s stats but also inflicts damage to its controller each turn. Binding Agony, however, ups the ante – it directs damage to the creature’s controller whenever the enchanted creature takes damage, potentially turning any damage dealt into a damaging blow towards the opponent.

Comparably, Curse of the Pierced Heart carries this passive damage-dealing philosophy to an enchant player format, inflicting guaranteed incremental damage at each of the enchanter’s upkeeps. It doesn’t mirror Binding Agony’s damage redirection, but it shares the essence of consistent damage output. Another card echoing Binding Agony’s potential for pain is Psychic Venom, targeting the land-play strategy by making the mere act of tapping a land a risky affair with its damage-inflicting capability.

In summary, Binding Agony adds a layer of defense and strategy, especially against decks that favor high volumes of creature combat, and earns its place as a tactical choice in Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of enchantments that disrupt opponents in unexpected ways.

Stab Wound - MTG Card versions
Curse of the Pierced Heart - MTG Card versions
Psychic Venom - MTG Card versions
Stab Wound - MTG Card versions
Curse of the Pierced Heart - MTG Card versions
Psychic Venom - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Binding Agony by color, type and mana cost

Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
Blight - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Seizures - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Hex - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Enfeeblement - MTG Card versions
Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions
Brain Maggot - MTG Card versions
Aphemia, the Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Oversold Cemetery - MTG Card versions
Lingering Death - MTG Card versions
Cover of Darkness - MTG Card versions
Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
Blight - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Seizures - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Hex - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Enfeeblement - MTG Card versions
Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions
Brain Maggot - MTG Card versions
Aphemia, the Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Oversold Cemetery - MTG Card versions
Lingering Death - MTG Card versions
Cover of Darkness - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Binding Agony provides a strategic element by potentially deterring opponents from targeting your creatures. Each instance of damage to your creatures can turn into damage against your opponents, potentially giving you an upper hand without having to spend additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: While Binding Agony itself doesn’t accelerate your resource pool, the threat of reciprocal damage it poses can slow down your opponent. This indirectly preserves your life and resources, allowing you to allocate them towards more impactful plays.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Binding Agony at instant speed offers a form of reactive protection. You can wait until the most opportune moment, such as in response to a kill spell or during combat, to maximize its effect and turn the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Binding Agony requires a player to discard a card, which can be a costly transaction. Especially if your hand is already running on empty, pitching another card may hinder your progression and leave you at a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a specific mana requirement that includes black mana, Binding Agony can be restrictive and may not easily slot into every deck type. This specific mana cost limits its flexibility and accessibility across the diverse archetypes within MTG.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value tipping towards the higher end, Binding Agony could be seen as inefficient, particularly when compared with other options in the format. Cards with lower mana costs might offer more immediate impact or versatility, potentially making them preferable choices depending on the game’s context.


Reasons to Include Binding Agony in Your Collection

Versatility: Binding Agony offers a unique twist on enchanting creatures. It can turn any creature into a deterrent for enemy attacks, as each point of damage becomes a liability for your opponent.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with effects that prevent or redirect damage, allowing you to set up situations where your opponent is punished for targeting your creatures, or where striking you directly can result in a painful backlash.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggro or creature-heavy decks, Binding Agony can serve as an effective countermeasure. By transforming creatures into thorns in your opponent’s side, it can shift the tide of battle in your favor.


How to beat

Binding Agony presents a challenge for MTG adversaries with its unique enchant creature ability that causes life loss to an opponent equal to the damage dealt to the enchanted creature. This card can turn defensive positions into offensive threats, but its power is not insurmountable. To combat Binding Agony, consider using removal spells that bypass the enchanted creature entirely, such as with exile effects or board wipes that can clear multiple threats at once. Look to utilize instant-speed interaction to disrupt this enchantment before it can become an issue during combat.

Alternatively, targeted removal like Disenchant or Naturalize can eliminate the enchantment directly, mitigating the risk without needing to engage with the creature. In some cases, it might also be beneficial to adjust your attack strategy, focusing attacks on non-enchanted creatures to avoid the life loss penalty. Finally, countermagic remains a strong line of defense, enabling you to prevent Binding Agony from ever hitting the battlefield. By focusing on these strategies, you can effectively navigate the perils this card presents.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Binding Agony MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Binding Agony and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Binding Agony has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal