TormentHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Torment is an Enchantment — Aura with the Enchant creature keyword. It identifies a legal creature to attach to when cast. Once it is attached, the enchanted creature suffers a continuous effect that gives it -3/-0, reducing its combat damage potential while leaving its toughness untouched.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast Torment by paying one black and one generic mana, choosing a creature on the battlefield as a target. If the target is legal upon resolution, Torment enters the battlefield attached to that creature. The power reduction applies immediately as a static effect in Layer 7c. If the creature's power was 3 or less, its power becomes 0 or a negative number (though it still deals 0 damage in combat).

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming Torment can kill a creature. Because it only reduces power (-3/-0) and not toughness, it will never cause a creature to die from having 0 toughness. Additionally, remember that if the creature gains protection from black or hexproof after Torment is already attached, the Aura will be put into the graveyard as a state-based action because the 'Enchant creature' requirement is no longer met legally.

When to Play it

Use Torment when your opponent has a creature with a powerful 'combat damage' trigger or high power that threatens your life total. It is especially effective in defensive decks that need to stall the board while setting up engines like Phyrexian Arena to gain card advantage.

Interaction examples

Neutralizing a Dark Master

Be'lakor, the Dark Master

Your opponent controls Be'lakor, the Dark Master, which is a 6/5. You cast Torment targeting it. Once Torment resolves, Be'lakor becomes a 3/5. If its 'Lord of Torment' ability triggers when another Demon enters, Be'lakor will now only deal 3 damage instead of 6, significantly reducing the threat to your life total or creatures.

Weakening Devilish Plans

Tibalt, Wicked Tormentor

Tibalt, Wicked Tormentor uses his -X ability to create 1/1 Devil tokens. While you cannot enchant the Planeswalker himself with Torment, you can enchant one of the 1/1 tokens. That token's power becomes -2/1. While its 'on death' trigger will still deal 1 damage, the token can no longer deal combat damage to you when it attacks.

Controlling the Market

Black Market Connections

When your opponent uses Black Market Connections to create a 3/2 Shapeshifter token with changeling, you can cast Torment on it. The token's power becomes 0. Even though the token is a 'Demon' (due to changeling) and could trigger other effects, its ability to threaten you in the red zone is completely neutralized.