Compelling Deterrence
Instant
Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. Then that player discards a card if you control a Zombie.
- CMC
- 2
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- U
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Shadows over Innistrad
- Price
- $0.11
- EDHREC rank
- #16589
Compelling Deterrence bounces a nonland permanent and replaces itself — the full package for two mana, conditional only on controlling a Zombie. Outside Geralf, the Fleshwright and dedicated Zombie lists, that condition is a real cost; inside them, it's a free upgrade over any non-cantripping bounce spell in the slot.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Geralf, the Fleshwright
Geralf, the Fleshwright generates Zombie tokens as a natural byproduct of casting spells, so Compelling Deterrence almost always has its condition met — bounce a threat, draw a card, keep the engine churning without spending extra resources to satisfy the rider.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Compelling Deterrence earns its slot exclusively in Zombie-heavy lists — the cantrip separates it from strictly worse options like Unsummon, but a Zombie in play is a real ask at instant speed in a singleton format. In Modern and Pioneer, tempo decks occasionally want bounce that replaces itself, but dedicated Zombie synergy is hard to build around competitively, and cleaner options exist. Legacy and Vintage have enough redundancy that the Zombie clause moves this from consideration to bulk rare status. The card's ceiling is Zombie tribal Commander, and that's where it should stay.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.11 bulk tier
At $0.11, Compelling Deterrence is deep bulk — pick it up as a throw-in without thinking twice. Don't expect the price to move; conditional bounce with a tribal rider has a narrow enough home that demand stays flat.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.