Defiling Tears
Instant
Until end of turn, target creature becomes black, gets +1/-1, and gains "
: Regenerate this creature."
- CMC
- 3
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- B
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Invasion
- Price
- $0.19
- EDHREC rank
- #30197
Defiling Tears gives target creature -3/-3 until end of turn at instant speed for three mana — a clean, unconditional kill on most small-to-mid creatures. The cost is exactly that: three mana is a tempo tax, and it leaves anything with four or more toughness alive.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | not legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Defiling Tears competes in a crowded removal slot where three mana buys far more — Go for the Throat and Deadly Rollick both answer larger threats more reliably. Legacy and Vintage have access to the same efficient black removal suite, so Defiling Tears sees essentially no play there either. The card is legal in Oathbreaker, but the same logic applies: -3/-3 is a narrow band in a format where commanders and threats routinely exceed four toughness. Across every format where it's legal, Defiling Tears lands as a filler option rather than a staple.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.19 bulk tier
At $0.19, Defiling Tears is deep bulk — you'll find it in common bins or as throw-in filler in any trade. There's no pressure scenario or price floor event that shifts bulk commons meaningfully, so don't expect movement.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.