Decree of Pain

Description

Decree of Pain, identified as card number 72 in the 2013 Commander set, stands as a formidable black sorcery within the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Designed by Mathias Kollros, this rare card offers strategic depth through its potent abilities and versatile cycling option. The card requires a substantial mana investment of six generic and two black mana, making it a high-impact play that demands careful resource management. The primary effect of Decree of Pain is absolute board control, destroying all creatures on the battlefield with no regeneration allowed. This decisive wipeout allows players to reset the game state, often turning the tide in complex matchups. For every creature removed this way, the controller draws a card, creating a powerful card advantage engine that rewards aggressive board clearing. This synergy between removal and card draw makes the card a staple in decks focused on controlling the battlefield and maintaining hand size. Beyond its main ability, the card features a cycling cost of three generic and two black mana. Cycling allows players to discard the card to draw a new one, providing flexibility in hand management. When cycled, Decree of Pain applies a global -2/-2 effect to all creatures until end of turn. This secondary effect enables strategic interactions with smaller creatures or weakens opposing threats without the full commitment of the board wipe, adding layers of tactical decision-making to gameplay. Collectors and players alike appreciate this card for its clean design and mechanical efficiency. The Commander set serves as a hub for singleton formats, and this card exemplifies the power level and strategic variety found within the release. Its dual functionality as both a board wipe and a cycling spell with a global debuff makes it a memorable piece of Magic: The Gathering history.