Is Necropotence legal in Standard, Modern, and Commander?

Necropotence is legal in: Commander. It is banned in: Legacy, Historic.

What type of card is Necropotence?

Necropotence is an Enchantment. Its oracle text reads: "Skip your draw step.Whenever you discard a card, exile that card from your graveyard.Pay 1 life: Exile the top card of your library face down. Put that card into your hand at the beginning of your next end step."

Necropotence

Enchantment

Skip your draw step.<br>Whenever you discard a card, exile that card from your graveyard.<br>Pay 1 life: Exile the top card of your library face down. Put that card into your hand at the beginning of your next end step.

Set Ice Age

Rarity Rare

Artist Mark Tedin

Standard	Not legal
Pioneer	Not legal
Modern	Not legal
Legacy	Banned
Vintage	Restricted
Commander	Legal
Pauper	Not legal
Historic	Banned

Why Play Necropotence

Black decks that can afford the triple black mana cost gain an incredibly powerful card selection engine that converts life into cards at an exceptional rate. The ability to pay life for cards allows aggressive strategies to refuel after dumping their hand, while control decks can dig for specific answers or threats. Play it when you have a stable life total and need to pull ahead in card advantage, particularly effective in multiplayer formats where the extra cards justify the life investment.

Format Notes

Banned in Legacy and Historic due to its overwhelming power level in competitive one-on-one formats where life totals matter more and games end faster. Currently legal and popular in Commander, where higher life totals and multiplayer dynamics make the life payment less risky and the card advantage more valuable. The card remains a staple in black-heavy Commander decks that can support the restrictive mana cost.

Combos & Synergies

Pairs excellently with lifegain effects like Gray Merchant of Asphodel to offset the life payments, allowing you to draw massive numbers of cards safely. Vilis, Broker of Blood creates a powerful synergy where paying life draws additional cards beyond what you already exile. The delayed card draw also works well with instant-speed effects and end-of-turn plays, letting you react with your new cards immediately after gaining them.