Circle of DespairHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Circle of Despair provides a repeatable activated ability that prevents damage. For one generic mana and the sacrifice of a creature, you choose a source. The very next time that specific source would deal damage to any target (a player, planeswalker, or creature) during the current turn, that damage is reduced to zero. Because it doesn't target the source, it can even affect sources with Shroud or Protection.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you activate the ability by paying {1} and sacrificing a creature as a cost. Once the ability resolves, you choose a source of damage; this could be a creature, a spell, or even a non-creature permanent. A 'shield' is created for the remainder of the turn. The next time that source attempts to deal damage, the prevention effect is applied immediately, and the shield is consumed. If the source doesn't deal damage before the turn ends, the effect simply expires.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming this prevents all damage from a source for the entire turn. It only prevents the 'next time' damage would be dealt. If a creature has Double Strike, you would need to activate Circle of Despair twice to prevent both the First Strike damage and the regular combat damage. Also, remember that 'losing life' is not the same as 'dealing damage,' so certain effects cannot be stopped by this card.

When to Play It

This enchantment shines in decks that can generate expendable tokens or benefit from creatures dying. It is an excellent political tool in multiplayer games, as you can choose to prevent damage dealt to other players or their permanents to gain favors. It is best used reactively when an opponent commits to an attack or casts a high-damage spell.

Interaction examples

Preventing Targeted Damage

Suppose an opponent casts a spell that deals 5 damage to you. In response, you pay {1} and sacrifice a creature to activate Circle of Despair. You choose that spell as the source. When the spell resolves, the 5 damage is prevented entirely.

Managing Life Loss vs Damage

Phyrexian Arena

If you have Phyrexian Arena on the battlefield, its triggered ability causes you to lose 1 life during your upkeep. You cannot use Circle of Despair to prevent this, because loss of life is not damage. Circle of Despair only interacts with effects that explicitly use the word 'damage'.

Fueling the Circle

Smothering Tithe

In a multiplayer game, Smothering Tithe can provide the Treasure tokens needed to pay the {1} mana cost for Circle of Despair's ability. While the Treasures provide the mana, you must still provide a creature to sacrifice to successfully activate the damage prevention shield.