Haunting Misery MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 1997-06-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Weatherlight |
| Set code | WTH |
| Number | 71 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Gary Leach |
Text of card
Remove X creature cards in your graveyard from the game: Haunting Misery deals X damage to target player.
"I am condemned without end." —Crovax
Cards like Haunting Misery
Haunting Misery is a unique piece in the MTG arsenal that finds its niche in the graveyard manipulation strategy. It resembles other graveyard-based cards such as Exhume, which also capitalizes on creatures in the graveyard. But Haunting Misery stands out as it converts those creatures into direct damage rather than reanimating them. This offers players a different avenue to leverage their graveyard for a potential finisher.
Among other comparables, we can look at Nighthowler, which takes an opposite approach by growing in power for each creature card in a graveyard, becoming a formidable force to reckon with. Although Nighthowler potentially becomes more powerful over time, Haunting Misery’s direct damage can abruptly end games regardless of the battlefield’s state. Then there’s Death’s Presence, which allows the transfer of power from fallen creatures to others on the battlefield. Unlike Haunting Misery, Death’s Presence is more of a buildup card, offering a significant advantage over time rather than an immediate impact.
In essence, Haunting Misery carves out its own space within MTG, combining elements of graveyard manipulation and life point reduction, making it a card that can catch opponents off guard and seal victories unexpectedly.
Cards similar to Haunting Misery by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Haunting Misery. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Golgari Combo | Pauper | Cycle Storm | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 1^ tappa MILANO 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Haunting Misery provides a crucial advantage by enabling you to remove numerous creature cards from your graveyard to deal direct damage. This action thins your deck, enhancing the probability of drawing into more impactful cards in subsequent turns.
Resource Acceleration: Even though Haunting Misery itself doesn’t create mana or treasure tokens, it efficiently utilizes the resources from your graveyard. This means that the creatures used to cast it indirectly contribute to your board presence and potential damage output, maximizing the value of past turns’ investments.
Instant Speed: While this spell operates at sorcery speed, its strength lies in its synergy with instant-speed graveyard fillers. Being able to cast Haunting Misery right after stocking your graveyard allows for unexpected and potentially game-ending plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Haunting Misery necessitates the exile of creature cards from your graveyard to cast it. This can deplete a valuable resource that might be used for recurring creatures or synergizing with other graveyard-based strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: The card requires both black and generic mana, making it restrictive for multicolored decks that may not consistently have the right mana available at the crucial moment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana including two black, Haunting Misery might seem steep considering it’s a finisher that relies on a well-stocked graveyard to be effective. Other spells in the same mana range could provide immediate board impact or card advantage.
Reasons to Include Haunting Misery Mtg Card in Your Collection
Versatility: Haunting Misery stands out for its ability to be utilized in various deck archetypes that exploit graveyard strategies. This card can easily find its place in decks aiming to stockpile creatures in the graveyard to maximize damage output.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with self-mill or dredge mechanics, as it allows for a sudden finish by exiling creatures to deal a significant amount of damage to opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to go long, and graveyards are filled with targets, Haunting Misery offers a stealthy alternate win condition. It evades common forms of life gain and damage prevention that can stifle other strategies.
How to beat
Haunting Misery is an intriguing card from Magic: The Gathering that puts a unique spin on graveyard interaction. Functioning distinctly from other removal spells, the sorcery produces effect by exiling creatures from your graveyard to deal direct damage to an opponent. This creates a concern for players who rely on their life total as a buffer, but there are tactical ways to circumvent the potentially game-ending damage it can inflict.
Strategies to combat Haunting Misery often include graveyard disruption to remove fodder before it can be used as ammunition. Cards such as Tormod’s Crypt can exile an opponent’s graveyard, significantly neutering the potency of Haunting Misery. Similarly, utilizing counter magic when Haunting Misery is cast can effectively prevent the damage altogether—they can’t exile creatures if the spell never resolves. Leyline of the Void is also a sound preemptive measure, ensuring that creatures never hit the graveyard in the first place and rendering Haunting Misery impotent.
Ultimately, understanding and anticipating the ways in which Haunting Misery can be deployed allows savvy players to prepare defenses that either neuter its potential or keep it from impacting the game significantly. Flexibility and preparedness are key in keeping Haunting Misery from haunting your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Haunting Misery MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Haunting Misery and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Haunting Misery has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |