Torment of Venom
Instant
Put three -1/-1 counters on target creature. Its controller loses 3 life unless they sacrifice another nonland permanent of their choice or discard a card.
- CMC
- 4
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- B
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- Hour of Devastation
- Price
- $0.22
- EDHREC rank
- #17307
Torment of Venom forces an opponent to either take three damage, sacrifice a permanent, or lose three life — all while putting a -1/-1 counter on a creature they control. The Scorpion God turns that counter into a free card, which is the entire reason this spell punches above its mana cost.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
The Scorpion God
Torment of Venom stacks a -1/-1 counter on any creature the opponent controls, and The Scorpion God converts that counter into a draw trigger — making a three-mana instant that already forced a painful choice also replace itself.
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons
Every -1/-1 counter Torment of Venom places triggers Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons to create a deathtouch Snake token, turning a removal-adjacent spell into a board-presence engine.
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 | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Torment of Venom is a role-player, not a staple — it earns its slot specifically in -1/-1 counter decks where the counter is the point, not the incidental damage. In Pauper, the forced-choice pressure is real enough that it sees occasional consideration in attrition strategies, though three mana is a steep ask in a format that demands efficiency. In Modern, Pioneer, Legacy, and Vintage, Torment of Venom is outclassed by removal that doesn't require the opponent to make a favorable choice at instant speed.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.22 bulk tier
At $0.22, Torment of Venom is bulk — pick it up without hesitation if the deck wants it. Cards this cheap and this narrow rarely swing in price unless a new legendary counter-matters commander spikes demand.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
- The Scorpion God
- Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.