Nightmarish End MTG Card

Nightmarish End excels in decks that can capitalize on creature deaths, enhancing growth mechanisms. The instant speed nature of Nightmarish End allows for dynamic and control-oriented play styles. While strong, its discard requirement and mana specificity may limit its versatility in diverse decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Journey into Nyx
Set code	JOU
Number	76
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Willian Murai

Text of card

Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of cards in your hand.

"To think some believe it peaceful to die in one's sleep." —Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver

Cards like Nightmarish End

Nightmarish End enters the realm of creature removal within Magic: The Gathering, sharing common grounds with spells like Grasp of Darkness, an established option for dealing with opponent threats. Nightmarish End, however, offers a distinctive approach; it determines its -X/-X effect based on the number of cards in your hand, emphasizing hand size for optimal play. Grasp of Darkness, comparatively, provides a static -4/-4 without such a variable condition.

Moving towards a more nuanced comparison, Geth’s Verdict also delivers a removal solution, but it takes a different tactic by forcing opponents to sacrifice a creature. Although it doesn’t care about hand size, it bypasses indestructible creatures, unlike Nightmarish End. Lastly, considering Ultimate Price, it targets monocolored creatures efficiently at a low cost, which Nightmarish End misses out on unless your hand is sufficiently stocked.

Taking stock of these comparisons, Nightmarish End holds its own for players who can maintain a healthy hand size, making it a potentially powerful and flexible removal in Magic: The Gathering, especially in formats where hand size can be preserved throughout the game.

Cards similar to Nightmarish End by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Nightmarish End card offers a strategic benefit by potentially removing an opponent’s critical creature, tilting the board state in your favor and disrupting their plans.

Resource Acceleration: This card can act as a catalyst in decks that synergize with creature deaths, potentially unlocking rapid growth through various mechanics such as delve, undergrowth, or morbid, which require creatures in the graveyard to be more effective.

Instant Speed: Nightmarish End’s instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to threats at the most opportune moment, including during your opponent’s turn. This unpredictability can be a powerful tool in maintaining control of the game pace and safeguarding your position.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Forcing a discard upon casting can be a significant downside, reducing hand advantage. This is particularly detrimental in matches where maintaining a robust hand size is crucial to outmaneuvering opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity to pay not just one but two black mana for Nightmarish End could hinder deck flexibility, particularly for multicolored decks that may struggle with mana fixing or need to prioritize other spells in their curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the card possesses potent removal capabilities, its mana value places it at a competitive disadvantage when compared to other lower-cost removal spells. Decks aiming for tempo gains might find the cost prohibitive, opting instead for more efficient alternatives in their removal suite.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Nightmarish End offers flexibility in deck building, excelling in mono-black builds or multicolor decks that can manage the color intensity. As a removal option, it can adapt to a range of situations, handling problematic creatures regardless of their power.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in environments where creature counts are high, easily slotting into strategies that aim to control the board. With the right setup, its ability to scale based on the size of your own creatures means it can become a game-ending interaction.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta swarming with creature-based decks, Nightmarish End proves its worth, able to dispatch key threats and maintain board control. Its value escalates in games that progress to longer turns, where the disparity in creature size could turn the tide in your favor.

How to beat

Nightmarish End is a unique tool for players looking to tailor their strategy in Magic: The Gathering. This card offers an edge in diminishing the power of opposing creatures which can be crucial in turning the tide of a duel. What makes it formidable is its dynamic nature; it utilizes the number of cards in a player’s hand to determine the degree of power reduction, potentially decimating an opponent’s key monster.

To effectively counter Nightmarish End, it’s wise to maintain a minimal hand size. By keeping card numbers low, the impact of Nightmarish End is greatly reduced, preserving the integrity of your creature force. Additionally, using spells that provide a hexproof status to your creatures can be a shield against such targeted removals. It’s equally important to keep an eye on your opponent’s hand size – pressure them into playing cards or find ways to force their hand, thereby weakening Nightmarish End’s destructive capability.

Overall, while Nightmarish End might appear daunting at first, maintaining a lean hand and using hexproof strategically can render it far less nightmarish, allowing players to continue their campaign for victory unfettered by this dark removal spell.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nightmarish End MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx, 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 Nightmarish End and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nightmarish End has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nightmarish End card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2014-04-26	The value of X is calculated as the ability resolves. The effect won't change later in the turn, even if the number of cards in your hand does.