Despondency is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets -2/-0. When this Aura is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, return it to its owner's hand.

Complete guide

Despondency is a classic black Aura that offers a persistent way to weaken your opponent's creatures. Unlike many enchantments that are gone for good once the creature dies, this card has a built-in recursion mechanic that keeps it coming back for more. It is an excellent tool for control decks looking to blunt early-game aggression without losing card advantage.

Shrinking the Threat

Despondency is an Aura that attaches to a creature and grants it -2/-0. While it doesn't reduce the creature's toughness, it effectively neutralizes smaller threats and makes larger ones much less dangerous in combat. This effect is continuous as long as the Aura remains attached to a creature on the battlefield.

The Recursive Trigger

The true strength of Despondency lies in its last ability: 'When this Aura is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, return it to its owner's hand.' This trigger occurs regardless of why the Aura was put into the graveyard. Whether the enchanted creature died, the Aura was destroyed by an effect like Naturalize, or the Aura was sacrificed, it will return to your hand to be cast again.

Common Pitfalls

It is important to remember that Despondency must hit the graveyard from the battlefield to trigger. If the spell is countered while being cast, it goes from the stack to the graveyard and will not return to your hand. Additionally, if an effect exiles the Aura directly from the battlefield, the ability will not trigger because it never entered the graveyard.

Strategic Placement

Since this card returns to your hand, you should feel free to use it on temporary tokens or creatures your opponent is likely to sacrifice. It serves as a persistent drain on your opponent's resources, forcing them to deal with a creature that can no longer effectively deal damage or win trades in the red zone.

Interaction examples

Weakening the Mercenary

Black Market Connections

If your opponent uses Black Market Connections to create a 3/2 Shapeshifter token, you can cast Despondency on it. The token becomes a 1/2. If that token is later sacrificed or destroyed, Despondency is put into your graveyard. The triggered ability then fires, returning Despondency to your hand, ready to enchant the next token your opponent creates.

Protecting Life Totals

Phyrexian Arena

When you have Phyrexian Arena on the board, your life total is constantly under pressure from the card's upkeep cost. By casting Despondency on an opponent's creature, you reduce the damage you take each turn. If the opponent decides to use a removal spell on their own creature to stop the debuff, Despondency simply returns to your hand, ensuring you maintain board control while you draw extra cards.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.