Gibbering Descent MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Abilities | Hellbent,Madness |
| Released | 2007-05-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Future Sight |
| Set code | FUT |
| Number | 66 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ittoku |
Text of card
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player loses 1 life and discards a card. Hellbent Skip your upkeep step if you have no cards in hand. Madness (If you discard this card, you may play it for its madness cost instead of putting it into your graveyard.)
Cards like Gibbering Descent
Gibbering Descent is a card that finds its niche within the Magic: The Gathering universe as part of the discard-themed decks. It draws close parallels to other cards that manipulate hand content and the draw step. An example is Bottomless Pit, which necessitates each player to randomly discard a card each turn, akin to the forced discard effect of Gibbering Descent when a player has no cards in hand.
Another card to consider is the infamous Megrim, which synergizes well with Gibbering Descent by dealing damage to opponents whenever they discard a card. This combo magnifies the impact of each discard, increasing the pressure on your adversaries. Mind Shatter also shares the trait of hand disruption, though it’s a one-time devastating effect compared to the persistent, grinding nature of Gibbering Descent.
Ultimately, Gibbering Descent stands out due to its unique ability to skip players’ draw steps, offering a sustained advantage in games where maintaining card advantage can be crucial. Its place is assured in decks that seek to create a lock on the opponent’s resources, making it a card with a distinct role in the eco-system of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Gibbering Descent by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With its unique ability to make each player skip their draw step, Gibbering Descent ensures a level playing field when it comes to card draw while also allowing you to capitalize on your opponent’s potentially dwindling hand size.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, the Hellbent ability of Gibbering Descent allows you to play the top card of your library which, in turn, can lead to accessing your threats and answers more quickly and efficiently.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Gibbering Descent synergizes well with instant-speed spells by ensuring your opponents have fewer cards in hand to respond with, ultimately giving you an edge during complex and critical game states.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gibbering Descent requires you to begin each of your turns by discarding a card. This effect can deplete your hand quickly, leaving you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if you’re unable to replenish your hand through other means.
Specific Mana Cost: Costing two black and four generic mana, this card demands a commitment to black mana, which might not mesh well with decks that run multiple colors or those that have a more flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana, Gibbering Descent can be deemed quite expensive for its effect. Considering the speed of many MTG formats, by the time you have enough mana to cast it, the game might be nearing its conclusion or you might be better off casting more impactful spells.
Reasons to Include Gibbering Descent in Your Collection
Versatility: Gibbering Descent offers interesting gameplay dynamics as it can slot into numerous deck archetypes. Its ability to force each player to skip their draw step marries well with strategies keen on disrupting the opponent’s plans. Plus, its madness cost provides an alternative way to play it, offering flexibility in handling your discard options.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combo setups, particularly in conjunction with effects that allow you to draw extra cards or force discards, both keying into the madness mechanic. The perpetual engine of discarding and its side effect of conferring an additional upkeep step can be manipulated to feed into various combo finishes.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games stretch into longer, grindier matches, Gibbering Descent can become a pivotal piece. It clamps down on the opponents’ resources while you capitalize on the incremental advantage given by the extra upkeep step.
How to beat
Gibbering Descent is a unique enchantment in MTG that can significantly alter the pace of the game. It presents an intriguing challenge with its automatic discard effect during each player’s upkeep. This feature can rapidly deplete a player’s hand, leading to an empty-handed state, which is both the condition for its madness cost and a potential boon for the enchanted player.
To counter this, strategic hand management is essential. Utilize instant-speed card draw to replenish your hand outside of your upkeep or employ cards that allow you to play from the top of your library, bypassing the need for a full grip. Artifacts that offer repeatable draw or graveyard retrieval can also mitigate the descent’s impact. Lastly, enchantment removal spells are a direct way to dispatch Gibbering Descent before its madness overtakes the match.
Whether you’re adapting your playstyle or including specific countermeasures in your deck, the key to overcoming Gibbering Descent lies in flexibility and foresight in managing your resources effectively against this relentless enchantment.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gibbering Descent MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight, 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 Gibbering Descent 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gibbering Descent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gibbering Descent card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-05-01 | If you have no cards in hand at the time your upkeep step would start, instead that step is skipped and your draw step starts. |