Torture MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 59a
1995-10-01 - Number 59b
1996-05-02 - Number ll59sb
1997-03-24 - Number 199
2008-05-02 - Number 80
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Choose target creature. o1oo B Put a -1/-1 counter on creature Torture enchants.
"It helps you pass the time until you die." —Grandmother Sengir
Cards like Torture
Torture stands out in the vast array of creature debuff cards in Magic: The Gathering. This ominous card allows players to inflict incremental damage on a target creature slowly, a mechanic somewhat akin to Dead Weight. Dead Weight, however, offers a one-time static power reduction, whereas Torture can be activated multiple times to whittle down an opponent’s creature further over time. However, it lacks Dead Weight’s immediacy and permanency in weakening a creature.
Another comparable card is Stab Wound, which automatically lowers a creature’s power and deals damage to that creature’s controller each turn. Torture allows for a more controlled approach, giving players the flexibility to decide when and how much damage to inflict, which is not an option with the passive nature of Stab Wound. Despite this, Stab Wound’s additional player damage can offer a more aggressive strategy. Finally, there’s Encrust, which, while not dealing damage, provides a similar control effect by disabling a creature’s abilities and preventing it from untapping. Although Encrust has a broader impact, Torture’s potential for repeated damage provides a unique tactical advantage in depleting enemy forces.
Each card presents distinct advantages, but Torture’s ability to target and control a creature’s fate repeatedly makes it a card worth considering for any player looking to meticulously manage the battlefield.
Cards similar to Torture by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Torture excels at stripping resources away from opponents, effectively disrupting their hand and diminishing their ability to counter your strategies.
Resource Acceleration: By forcing discard at a low cost, the card can indirectly accelerate your hold on the game allowing you to deploy threats more rapidly than your opponent can respond to them.
Instant Speed: With the ability to play Torture at instant speed, it puts the opponent at a distinct disadvantage during their turn. This could potentially mess up their planned plays or force them to waste resources prematurely.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When it comes to the Torture card, one downside is the necessity to discard other cards just to activate its ability. For players who might be relying on a full hand for their strategy, this can cause more harm than good, forcing them to sacrifice valuable assets they might need for future turns. This can also be particularly detrimental when trying to maintain card advantage against an opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Torture’s mana cost requires black mana, making it a card that can only fit comfortably within black-themed decks or those that heavily leverage mana fixing to accommodate off-color spells. For players not running black or decks that can’t afford to adapt their mana base, this card becomes quite restrictive and difficult to include effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Additionally, the card comes with a relatively steep mana cost for its effect. When considering the balance between cost and benefit, players may find that Torture’s mana investment might not align with the utility it provides, especially when there are alternative cards that could perform similar tasks at a lower cost or with added benefits included.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Torture is one of those classic cards that slips seamlessly into a variety of deck themes. With its ability to slowly whittle down life totals, it’s a fine fit for control or attrition strategies, especially for those who relish the art of a prolonged victory.
Combo Potential: Pairing this enchantment with cards that untap permanents or proliferate the number of damage counters can escalate the threat it poses, making it a subtle but impactful piece of larger combo engines.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where players rely on creatures with high toughness, Torture ensures that no creature is too robust to evade your grasp, efficiently managing potential threats one damage counter at a time.
How to beat
The Torture card in Magic: The Gathering poses a distinct challenge with its persistent damage-dealing ability. As a low-cost enchantment, it can steadily whittle down a player’s life or diminish key creatures’ vitality throughout the game. Overcoming this card requires a strategy that emphasizes removal or neutralization of enchantments. Cards with the ability to destroy or return enchantments to a player’s hand, like Disenchant or Naturalize, become invaluable tools in mitigating the steady threat Torture presents.
Adaptation is also crucial when facing Torture. Players should consider adjusting their playstyle to conserve creature resources, ensuring that they’re not as vulnerable to the card’s debilitating effect. Deckbuilding with enchantment-countering cards or incorporating hexproof creatures can preemptively shield one’s board from Torture’s grasp, solidifying a player’s position. In essence, smart deck construction and reactive play are your best defenses against the ongoing menace of the Torture enchantment.
By understanding the mechanics and having the right answers at hand, players can efficiently neutralize the threat of Torture, maintaining their foothold in the game and avoiding the incremental damage that it aims to inflict.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Torture MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Homelands, 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 Torture 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
Printings
The Torture Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2008-05-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 59a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 59b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 3 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | ll59sb | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Mark Tedin | |
| 4 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 199 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 5 | 2008-05-02 | Shadowmoor | SHM | 80 | 2003 | Normal | Black | E. M. Gist |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Torture has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Torture card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-05-01 | The -1/-1 counters that are put on the enchanted creature are independent of Torture. If Torture leaves the battlefield or is moved to another creature, the counters will stay put. |