Abyssal Nocturnus
Creature — Horror
Whenever an opponent discards a card, this creature gets +2/+2 and gains fear until end of turn. (It can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures.)
- CMC
- 3
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- B
- Rarity
- rare
- Set
- Guildpact
- Price
- $0.63
- EDHREC rank
- #19623
Abyssal Nocturnus swings as a 5/5 flying trampler whenever an opponent discards — massive stats on a two-drop, but only when you're actively making opponents discard. Outside a dedicated discard shell, it's a 2/2 with evasion that does nothing.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Abyssal Nocturnus is a role-player, not a staple — it belongs only in dedicated discard decks where multiple opponents are losing cards regularly, and even there it competes for slots with discard payoffs that generate more lasting value. In Legacy and Vintage, the discard suite is powerful enough (Hymn to Tourach, Thoughtseize, Reanimate shells) that Nocturnus could theoretically get consistent triggers, but a 2/2 for two that requires setup isn't competing with those formats' actual threats. Modern has enough discard to fuel it in theory, but the card has seen essentially no competitive play there. Anywhere outside a focused discard build, Abyssal Nocturnus is too conditional to justify the slot.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.63 bulk tier
At $0.63, Abyssal Nocturnus sits firmly in bulk rare territory, and that price reflects its narrow application accurately. It won't climb without a pushed discard commander breaking through — pick it up cheaply for the right deck and don't expect movement either direction.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.