@ mark. i know what your saying about its "brother" (magus of the abyss) but i think the magus is better because you can keep bringing it back from the grave if it gets destroyed, and another trick i do is.. i add a diplomatic immunity to the magus... and you dont have to sac a creature, because the immunity prevents you from doing so... its a great board control... and the only way to remove it is a board wipe... this card is incredible in a multiplayer game or EDH... it really disrupts the flow of others game, and then they dont want to put out a creature, so its kinda like a stasis for creatures... i give it 4 stars because of the available ways to remove it from play.. and you have to sac one of your creatures too.. not just your opponents...and its kinda hard to play in a multi-colored deck, not because of the cost, but you have to make your other color around this enchantment..its kinda tricky...

  -- By mike from pittsburgh pa on March 17, 2011

Amazing control card even in the modern game of Magic. I was lucky enough to pull one out of a pack of legends on 3-4-2010. Much better then its magus brother that kills istelf later as well.

  -- By mark from wisconsin on March 05, 2010

One of the truly great cards. Incredible control potential. Awesome in a Necropotence deck to keep the creatures off of you until you get that drain life.

  -- By Chi-Guy from Chicago, IL on June 10, 2009

the picture on the card is so good i made it a tattoo on my lower back and the card is the best especially with moat

  -- By stycxx from wheeling,wv usa on February 25, 2008

The Abyss is one of the best cards ever made. Better than evan the "Black Lotus" I think. Can be very destructive when mixed with " Chains of Mephistopheles" And Masticore.

  -- By Alucard: Aether Void master from usa on October 17, 2005

very good card, in the right deck. Can control and frustate heavy creature decks, or you can play arround it, using artifact creatures like juggernaut, su-chi,masticore and others. very good for vintage decks.

  -- By Lucio from Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 13, 2005

A strong card, but just like a lot of black cards, it'll hurt you if not properly played with.

  -- By Rosetta Stone from West Chester, PA on April 21, 2004

The best magic card of all time.

  -- By anonymous from anonymous on October 03, 2001