---
name: "Circle of Despair"
mana_cost: "{1}{W}{B}"
cmc: 3
type_line: "Enchantment"
colors: ["B", "W"]
color_identity: ["B", "W"]
keywords: []
set: "MIR"
set_name: "Mirage"
collector_number: "259"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Scott M. Fischer"
oracle_id: "4ad57fbf-69f3-4367-b061-ed8e0b83b9af"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/circle-of-despair-mir"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "not_legal"
---

# Circle of Despair
- **Mana Cost:** `{1}{W}{B}` (CMC: 3)
- **Type:** Enchantment

## Oracle Text
{1}, Sacrifice a creature: The next time a source of your choice would deal damage to any target this turn, prevent that damage.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Martyr's Cause](/printing/martyrs-cause-ulg.md) — Enchantment
2. [Rhystic Circle](/printing/rhystic-circle-pcy.md) — Enchantment
3. [Sanctum Guardian](/printing/sanctum-guardian-9ed.md) — Creature — Human Cleric
4. [Martyrs' Tomb](/printing/martyrs-tomb-apc.md) — Enchantment
5. [Circle of Protection: Black](/printing/circle-of-protection-black-2ed.md) — Enchantment
6. [Chain of Silence](/printing/chain-of-silence-ons.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Mirage (MIR) #259
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Scott M. Fischer
- **Total Printings:** 7 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `not_legal` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `not_legal`