Oblivion's Hunger 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
Target creature you control gains indestructible until end of turn. Draw a card if that creature has a +1/+1 counter on it. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy the creature.)
Complete guide
Oblivion's Hunger is a versatile black instant that offers both protection and potential card advantage for your creatures. It is especially potent in decks that utilize growth mechanics, ensuring your threats stay on the board while keeping your hand full. By granting indestructible, it serves as a reliable shield against both combat damage and removal spells.
What it Does
Oblivion's Hunger targets a creature you control and grants it the indestructible keyword until the end of the turn. This means the creature cannot be destroyed by effects that say 'destroy' or by lethal damage. Additionally, the spell includes a conditional draw trigger: if the targeted creature has at least one +1/+1 counter on it at the time the spell resolves, you draw a card.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, you cast the spell and choose a legal target creature you control. Upon resolution, the game checks if the target is still legal; if the creature has left the battlefield or gained protection from black, the entire spell fails and you do not draw a card. If the target is legal, it gains indestructible. Finally, the spell checks for a +1/+1 counter; if one is present, you draw a card before the spell is put into the graveyard.
Common Mistakes
Players often forget that the draw effect depends entirely on the creature remaining a legal target. If your opponent removes the creature in response to you casting Oblivion's Hunger, the spell fizzles and you won't draw a card, even if the creature had counters. Also, remember that indestructible does not protect against effects that reduce toughness to zero or exile effects.
When to Play It
The best time to cast this spell is in response to a board wipe or a targeted destruction spell like a 'Murder' effect. If you have a creature with a +1/+1 counter, it effectively becomes a two-mana protection spell that replaces itself. It is also useful during the declare blockers step to ensure your creature survives a combat trade while cycling through your deck.
Interaction examples
Dark RitualYou can cast Dark Ritual to add three black mana to your pool. You then use two of that mana to cast Oblivion's Hunger on a creature you control. This allows you to protect a key threat early in the game even if you only have one land untapped, though you will only draw a card if that creature already has a +1/+1 counter.
Vampiric TutorIf your creature with a +1/+1 counter is targeted by a removal spell, you can cast Vampiric Tutor in response to put a specific card on top of your library. Then, you cast Oblivion's Hunger. Oblivion's Hunger resolves, makes your creature indestructible, and because of the +1/+1 counter, you draw the card you just tutored for immediately.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Oblivion's Hunger
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Oblivion's Hunger tries to resolve, the spell doesn't resolve. You don't draw a card if the target has or had a +1/+1 counter on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Oblivion's Hunger
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.