Pongify (1U): A potent instant that shuffles the board by destroying a target creature, making it unregenerable, and generating a 3/3 green ape token for its controller.
In Commander, Pongify pairs well with creatures like Tarmogoyf or Golgari Findbroker, which can generate multiple 3/3 tokens and overwhelm opponents. With careful deck-building, Pongify can become a reliable disruption tool in your next Commander game.
Pongify's Rules and Functionality
Pongify is an instant card that destroys a target creature, preventing it from being regenerated. Its controller then creates a 3/3 green Ape creature token.
Keyword Abilities
None. Pongify relies on its oracle text for its effects.
Stack and Battlefield Interaction
Edge Cases
Unusual Rules Interactions
Commander-Specific Quirks
Pongify is a versatile and powerful instant that can be used strategically in various Commander decks, particularly those that benefit from disrupting opponents' creatures or generating token advantage. Here are some examples of how Pongify can be utilized:
Pongify is particularly effective when combined with other cards that benefit from creature destruction or token generation. For example:
In terms of competitive play, Pongify can be an excellent addition to decks focused on disrupting opponents' creatures or generating token advantage. Its relatively low cost and versatility make it an attractive option for players looking to optimize their Commander deck's performance.
In casual play, Pongify can provide a fun and interactive experience by allowing players to clear the board and generate tokens quickly. This card is particularly well-suited for decks that rely on aggro or tempo strategies, as it provides an additional way to disrupt opponents' plans and accelerate gameplay.
Pongify is a versatile and powerful Instant that can significantly impact the board in various Commander matchups. Its ability to destroy target creatures while creating a 3/3 green Ape token for its controller makes it an attractive option for strategies focused on creature advantage and ramping up mana.
Synergies with Green Aggro
Pongify pairs particularly well with cards like Sylvan Caryatid or Eternal Witness, which can accelerate the creation of early-game threats while also providing opportunities to utilize Pongify more frequently. Additionally, creatures like Craterhoof Behemoth or Rhino Charge can leverage Pongify's token-creating ability to generate an overwhelming board presence.
Counter Strategies and Interractions
When facing opponents with strong creature removal, utilizing Pongify in conjunction with cards that can protect the created Ape tokens, such as Liliana of the Veil, can prove crucial. Meanwhile, cards like Golgari Findbroker or Cabal Therapy can disrupt the opponent's plans by targeting and removing their own creatures.
Combining Pongify with Other Spells
Some other spells that complement Pongify include:
Token Generation and Overextension
Care should be taken when using Pongify in combination with other spells that create tokens, as overextending the board can lead to an opponent finding opportunities for a successful blowout.
Pongify: Timing and Synergies to Avoid
In Commander, players often overlook the timing of Pongify's destruction trigger. When you play Pongify, its instant speed means it'll resolve at the beginning of your next upkeep step. However, this can be a problem if you want to destroy an opposing creature immediately.
Another common mistake is misunderstanding how Pongify interacts with regeneration. Since the destroyed creature can't be regenerated, players often focus on destroying larger threats first.
In Commander, players often look for ways to maximize their token creation potential. While Pongify is an excellent tool for generating tokens, it's essential to consider the overall board state and your opponents' strategies when using it.
By being aware of these common mistakes and timing issues, you'll be better equipped to harness Pongify's potential in your Commander deck.
Pongify is a versatile and budget-friendly option for Commander decks, offering a unique synergy between destruction and creation. Its ability to destroy target creatures and create a 3/3 green ape token makes it an excellent tool against opponent's life totals.
As of now, the price for Pongify in USD is $2.31, making it an accessible addition to any blue-based deck. The foil version is significantly more expensive at $3.00. This puts it within the reach of most budget-conscious players, especially considering its utility in Commander.
In terms of budget-friendliness, Pongify is an excellent option for Commander decks. Its low mana cost and reasonable price point make it a viable choice for players looking to add blue removal spells to their arsenal. Compared to more expensive options like Abrupt Decay or Doom Blade, Pongify offers similar functionality at a lower cost.
For those who can't afford or don't have access to Pongify, there are alternative options that offer similar effects:
Keep in mind that these alternatives may have different mana costs or effects, so it's essential to consider the specific needs and composition of your deck when choosing a replacement.
Pongify is a versatile instant that can be built around in various ways. One of the most straightforward applications is with green devotion themes, leveraging the ape tokens it creates.
Green Devotion Synergies:
Blue Control Synergies:
Hybrid Synergies:
These synergies can be combined with various commanders, such as Komatatsu, Aviary Familiar, Yarok, the Disciple, or Omniscience.
Pongify is an instant that offers a one-for-one trade, sacrificing a creature to create a larger one in return. It's an attractive option for decks looking to generate value from their removal spells.
In Commander, Pongify sees play in a variety of blue-based strategies, particularly those centered around Rakdos, Lord of Riots or Atraxa, Praetors' Voice. These decks often prioritize generating large creatures and exploiting the format's lack of graveyard hate. Pongify can help these players achieve their goals by creating a 3/3 green Ape creature token on demand.
While it's not as powerful as some other removal spells in Commander, such as Abrupt Decay or Doom Blade, Pongify offers flexibility and utility in certain situations. For example, if you're facing a board full of small creatures, Pongify can help clear the way for your larger threats.
In casual formats like Pauper or casual multiplayer games, Pongify is often overlooked due to its relatively high price point compared to other removal spells in these environments. However, it's still a viable option for players who have access to blue cards and are looking for an extra layer of flexibility in their deck.
In terms of competitiveness, Pongify is generally not considered a top-tier card in any format. Its value is situational and relies on the specific needs of your deck. Nonetheless, it remains a popular choice among Commander players due to its versatility and ease of use.
Key Scenarios & Matchups
Pongify excels in situations where a single, powerful creature is dominating the board and needs to be removed quickly. This card is particularly effective against Karametra, God of Growth, as its controller's ability to create a 3/3 green Ape token can lead to a rapid board presence.
However, Pongify struggles in situations where it is not an immediate game-changer or where its opponent has a strong removal spell:
Pongify, an instant from the 2xm set, has seen various printings and reprints throughout its history. Its original printing was as an uncommon in the 2xm set, followed by a reprint in the Commander Anthology Volume II set. This card also appears in the popular Commander: Legends and Double Masters sets.
In terms of tournament presence, Pongify has been seen in various Commander formats due to its ability to destroy creatures and generate tokens. Its popularity is reflected in EDHREC statistics, where it ranks 158th among all cards by EDHREC Rank.
Pongify's iconic decks often include popular combos with cards like Chandra, Torch of Defiance, Fulminator Mage, or Golgari Findbroker.
In the mystical realm of Ravnica, where guilds vie for power and influence, Pongify holds a unique place among the sorcerers' arsenal. This enchanting instant spell, fueled by the essence of blue mana, allows its wielder to disrupt the battlefield with unprecedented ferocity.
The oracle text reveals that Pongify's primary function is to annihilate a targeted creature, rendering it unable to regenerate or return to play through means such as Swords to Plowshares or Mystical Tutor. This destruction is not merely a trivial affair, for in its wake, the controller creates a 3/3 green Ape creature token. The implications of this ability are far-reaching: an opponent's carefully constructed creature army can be ravaged, while a Pongify-wielding player can rapidly accelerate their token production.
In the world of Dominaria, where ancient forests whisper secrets to the wind and mighty empires rise and fall, Pongify finds a strange affinity with the primal forces that shape the land. The spell's green-tinged aura suggests a connection to the wilds, echoing the sentiments expressed by cards such as Llanowar Elves or Fangren Enrager. This sympathetic resonance grants Pongify an air of organic authenticity, making it a versatile addition to any deck that seeks to exploit the raw power of nature.
As players delve into the labyrinthine histories of Ravnica's guilds and Dominaria's ancient civilizations, they may discover that Pongify holds a special place in the annals of magic lore. Some whisper that this spell was forged in the heart of a long-forgotten jungle, where wisps of magic swirled about the ancient artifacts left behind by a bygone era. Others claim that Pongify is an unassuming descendant of a legendary tome hidden deep within the walls of a forgotten library.
Whatever its true origins may be, one thing remains certain: in the heat of battle, Pongify's unique synergy between destruction and creation grants its wielder an unparalleled advantage on the field.
Pongify: A Budget-Friendly Option for Commander
Pongify is an uncommon instant with a mana cost of {U}, making it an accessible addition to any blue-based deck. Its ability to destroy target creatures and create a 3/3 green ape token makes it a formidable tool against opponent's life totals.
Price Point:
As of now, the price for Pongify in USD is $2.31. The foil version is significantly more expensive at $3.00. This puts it within the reach of most budget-conscious players, especially considering its utility in Commander.
Reprint Status:
Pongify has seen a reprint in the "2xm" set. While not as recent as some other reprints, this means that the card is still relatively available and affordable.
Budget-Friendliness:
In terms of budget-friendliness, Pongify is an excellent option for Commander decks. Its low mana cost and reasonable price point make it a viable choice for players looking to add blue removal spells to their arsenal. Compared to more expensive options like Abrupt Decay or Doom Blade, Pongify offers similar functionality at a lower cost.
Alternative Options:
For those who can't afford or don't have access to Pongify, there are alternative options that offer similar effects:
Keep in mind that these alternatives may have different mana costs or effects, so it's essential to consider the specific needs and composition of your deck when choosing a replacement.