Archaic's Agony
Sorcery
Converge — Archaic's Agony deals X damage to target creature, where X is the number of colors of mana spent to cast this spell. Exile cards from the top of your library equal to the excess damage dealt to that creature this way. You may play those cards until the end of your next turn.
- CMC
- 5
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- R
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Secrets of Strixhaven
- Price
- $0.09
- EDHREC rank
- #28791
Archaic's Agony is a bulk rare that won't see serious play — the effect is narrow, the mana cost is too steep for what it delivers, and better options exist at every point on the curve. Skip it.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Archaic's Agony is legal in every major constructed format but won't show up in any of them — competitive lists in Standard, Pioneer, Modern, and Legacy have no interest in a slow, expensive effect when cheaper and more reliable alternatives exist. Commander is the one format where unusual spells sometimes find a home, but even there Archaic's Agony struggles to justify a slot over staples with broader application. It's a draft card wearing a Constructed frame.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.09 bulk tier
At $0.09, Archaic's Agony is deep bulk — the price reflects demand accurately. Don't expect it to climb unless a future card creates a specific synergy that doesn't currently exist.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.