Beta
Core15FT Power
EDH16FT Power
1v114FT Power
  • etb-trigger
  • recursion
standardNot legal
pioneerNot legal
modernLegal
legacyLegal
vintageLegal
commanderLegal
pauperNot legal
brawlLegal
15 more formats
alchemyNot legal
competitivebrawlLegal
duelLegal
futureNot legal
gladiatorLegal
historicLegal
oathbreakerLegal
oldschoolNot legal
paupercommanderNot legal
pennyLegal
predhNot legal
premodernNot legal
standardbrawlNot legal
timelessLegal
tlrLegal
First printed in Modern Horizons 3 (2024)
Ways to find this card →

Confidence:StrongSolidPlausibleTentativeSpeculative

  • Legendary Creature — Spirit DetectiveRW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Elder GiantRW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Klingon AdvisorB

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Elemental IncarnationW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Elder GiantGU

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — HumanBUW

    Merieke Ri Berit temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • Artifact Creature — Phyrexian DreadnoughtC

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Human KnightR

    Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • Legendary Creature — Human WarlockBRU

    Edea, Possessed Sorceress temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • Legendary Creature — Elder GiantBR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • 3RR
    Creature — Elemental IncarnationR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — ZombieBR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Human Kree HeroW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Human NobleRW

    Copy engine: one card makes copies of a creature — once a turn, or once for each time you pay its cost — and each copy pays off: the creature's enter-the-battlefield effect fires again, or the hasty copy uses its tap ability. Real, repeatable value — every copy has its turn or its price, so it never goes infinite on its own.

  • Legendary Planeswalker — BolasBRU

    Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • Legendary Creature — Human SoldierGUW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Human NinjaU

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Artifact // Creature — Dinosaur Skeleton HorrorB

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Enchantment — AuraU

    Captivating Glance temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • Enchantment Creature — PhoenixR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — DemonBR

    The Beast, Deathless Prince temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • SorceryBR

    The Nipton Lottery temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • Creature — SpiderG

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Human RogueU

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Drix WarlockB

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

MTG Arena only

Synergies with cards played only on MTG Arena (including Arena rebalances). They aren't available in paper Magic.

Confidence:StrongSolidPlausibleTentativeSpeculative

  • Creature — Giant // Instant — AdventureUW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Insect AngelW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Octopus WizardUW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Human Peasant // Creature — SpiritUW

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Cat AvatarBGR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Human NinjaU

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Elf ArcherR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — SpiritU

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Vampire RogueBU

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Human WarlockB

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Artifact Creature — GolemR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Gnome DruidG

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Elf RogueB

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Faerie RogueB

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — DragonR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — WolfR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Legendary Creature — Human WarlockR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • SorceryR

    Traumatic Prank temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • Creature — InsectBG

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Elemental IncarnationB

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • SorceryR

    Incessant Provocation temporarily takes control of an opponent's creature, and Chthonian Nightmare sacrifices it — the opponent loses the permanent for good.

  • Legendary Creature — Goblin ShamanR

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Enchantment Creature — NightmareGU

    Recursion engine: one card can reanimate repeatedly (an activated ability, or a return that comes back once a turn), and the other is a creature worth bringing back again and again — or a creature you recast from your graveyard beside a sacrifice outlet that doesn't pay for the recast. Real, repeatable value — not an infinite loop on its own.

  • Creature — Human NobleRW

    Chthonian Nightmare returns creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, re-firing Jewel Mine Overseer's enter-the-battlefield effect.

  • Creature — Bat ClericB

    Chthonian Nightmare returns creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, re-firing Sanguine Soothsayer's enter-the-battlefield effect.