Dark Depths MTG Card
2006-07-21 - Number 145
2016-08-19 - Number 4
2018-12-07 - Number 241
2020-08-07 - Number 314
2023-01-13 - Number 454
2023-01-13 - Number 394
2023-01-13 - Number 244
2024-06-14 - Number 334
2020-09-26 - Number CSP-145
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Snow Land |
Text of card
Dark Depths comes into play with ten ice counters on it. : Remove an ice counter from Dark Depths. When Dark Depths has no ice counters on it, sacrifice it. If you do, put an indestructible legendary 20/20 black Avatar creature token with flying named Marit Lage into play.
Cards like Dark Depths
Dark Depths is an iconic card known for its ability to summon Marit Lage, a powerful indestructible token creature. Its design has influenced several other MTG cards that also allow players to create substantial threats. Take Thespian’s Stage, for example – this land has the ability to copy Dark Depths without the ice counters, immediately triggering the creation of Marit Lage.
Another comparable card is Vampire Hexmage, which can remove all counters from a single target. When paired with Dark Depths, it provides a quick path to unleash the 20/20 creature. Then there’s also Iceberg Cancrix, a card that doesn’t bring creatures as massive as Marit Lage but shares synergy with snow lands and can be very effective in the right deck.
Assessing the alternatives, Dark Depths dominates the field of play with its potential to dramatically alter the board state. It’s a unique card in MTG that not only challenges players to creatively remove its counters but also rewards them with a game-ending creature that can clinch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Cards similar to Dark Depths by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Dark Depths. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Lands | Legacy | Lands | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-24 |
 | Bant Depths | Legacy | Selesnya Depths | Legacy League 2024-04-26 |
| Selesnya Depths | Legacy | Selesnya Depths | Legacy League 2024-04-26 |
 | Abzan Depths | Legacy | Selesnya Depths | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-28 |
| Naya Depths | Legacy | Selesnya Depths | Legacy League 2024-04-25 |
| Mono-Green Cloudpost | Legacy | Green Cloudpost | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-27 |
| Maverick | Legacy | Maverick | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-27 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The creation of a 20/20 indestructible creature token with Dark Depths provides an overwhelming presence on the board that can end games swiftly if left unchecked, and presents a significant card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Dark Depths doesn’t tap for mana traditionally, its synergy with cards like Vampire Hexmage or Thespian’s Stage accelerates the process of removing ice counters and hence summons the powerful Marit Lage token sooner than expected.
Instant Speed: Although Dark Depths itself does not function at instant speed, its transformation can be achieved instantly with the right combination of cards, allowing you to surprise an unprepared opponent by introducing Marit Lage to the battlefield at a potentially game-deciding moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dark Depths presents a unique challenge as it doesn’t play like your standard land. It requires the right setup or cards to activate its effect, which can sometimes feel like a form of resource discard given its initial lack of mana production capabilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Though not demanding a typical mana cost for activation, Dark Depths requires a substantial investment in board presence and resource allocation. It necessitates other specific cards or abilities to remove its ice counters which can constrain deck building around certain strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an overall cost that includes removing ice counters from the card without paying its mana cost, some players find the mana resources needed to activate it could be put to more immediate use elsewhere. While it can create a powerful creature, it does so at a significant resource trade-off compared to other cards within the same mana value range.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dark Depths is not confined to a single deck archetype. It has found a home in various strategies from control to combo decks. Its ability to produce an indestructible creature ensures it can adapt to an array of game plans and board states.
Combo Potential: This card is notorious for its synergy with cards like Vampire Hexmage and Thespian’s Stage, creating instant 20/20 creatures. These interactions offer players a robust win condition that can be difficult for opponents to counter.
Meta-Relevance: In environments ripe with creature-based strategies, the Marit Lage token that Dark Depths produces presents an immediate threat that must be addressed, making it a valuable addition when the meta shifts to one vulnerable to such strategies.
How to beat
Dark Depths presents a formidable challenge for players in the MTG landscape. This legendary land card is renowned not for the mana it can provide, but for the monstrous Marit Lage token it unleashes. Freeing the 20/20 indestructible Avatar creature from its icy prison is no easy feat as it requires removing all 10 ice counters from Dark Depths.
To combat this chilling threat, you’ll need a strategy focusing on counter play or direct disruption. Vampire Hexmage is a common choice, allowing you to remove all counters from a single permanent, thereby denying your opponent their towering icy terror. Another effective measure is utilizing land destruction effects or cards like Surgical Extraction to exile Dark Depths from the game entirely before the counters can be removed.
One should not overlook the importance of keeping a vigilant watch for the moment Dark Depths becomes vulnerable. Instant-speed removal for the Marit Lage token is scarce due to its indestructible nature, but with cards like Path to Exile or effects that bypass indestructibility, you can ensure the Avatar’s reign is short-lived. Engaging with Dark Depths requires both foresight and precision, making it a thrilling test of a player’s tactical prowess.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dark Depths MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and From the Vault: Lore, 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 Dark Depths 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 Dark Depths Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap | CSP | 145 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Stephan Martiniere | |
| 2 | 2016-08-19 | From the Vault: Lore | V16 | 4 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Stephan Martiniere | |
| 3 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 241 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 4 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 314 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | CSP-145 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Stephan Martiniere | ||
| 6 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 454 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Rob Alexander | |
| 7 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 394 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 8 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 244 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 9 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 Commander | M3C | 334 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dark Depths has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Banned |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dark Depths card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-08 | Dark Depths doesn’t have a mana ability. It doesn’t tap for colorless mana. |
| 2022-12-08 | If Dark Depths leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, you won’t be able to sacrifice it, so you won’t create Marit Lage. |
| 2022-12-08 | The last ability of Dark Depths is a state trigger. It won’t trigger again while the ability is on the stack, but if the ability is countered and Dark Depths is still on the battlefield with no ice counters on it, it will trigger again immediately. |