---
name: "Essence Vortex"
mana_cost: "{1}{U}{B}"
cmc: 3
type_line: "Instant"
colors: ["B", "U"]
color_identity: ["B", "U"]
keywords: []
set: "ICE"
set_name: "Ice Age"
collector_number: "287"
rarity: "uncommon"
artist: "Margaret Organ-Kean"
oracle_id: "ea38a211-a7b0-49fe-b5dc-7eca7610cccb"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/essence-vortex-ice"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "not_legal"
---

# Essence Vortex
- **Mana Cost:** `{1}{U}{B}` (CMC: 3)
- **Type:** Instant

## Oracle Text
Destroy target creature unless its controller pays life equal to its toughness. A creature destroyed this way can't be regenerated.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Devour in Shadow](/printing/devour-in-shadow-5dn.md) — Instant
2. [Vendetta](/printing/vendetta-roe.md) — Instant
3. [Flesh to Dust](/printing/flesh-to-dust-m15.md) — Instant
4. [Terminate](/printing/terminate-dmc.md) — Instant
5. [Sever Soul](/printing/sever-soul-plst.md) — Sorcery
6. [Withering Torment](/printing/withering-torment-msc.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Ice Age (ICE) #287
- **Rarity:** Uncommon
- **Artist:** Margaret Organ-Kean
- **Total Printings:** 6 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`