Pongify

Pongify Full Guide

Double Masters Uncommon
Mana Cost: {U}
Type: Instant
Pongify Text:
Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated. Its controller creates a 3/3 green Ape creature token.
Flavor:
Some spellcrafting mistakes go on to become spells of their own.
Artist: Heather Hudson
Collector Number: 62
Release Date: 2020-08-07
Art crop

Strategy Guide

Last updated 2025-06-28
TL;DR Summary

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.

  • Power level: Medium to high. Pongify can be a game-changer in creature-heavy decks, but its impact is limited if there are no creatures on the battlefield.
  • Main use cases:
    • Aggro decks: Pongify excels at clearing creatures from the opponent's side of the board, allowing your aggressive creatures to shine.
    • Combo decks: By destroying a key threat or combo piece, Pongify can disrupt your opponent's plans and buy you time.
  • Popular formats: Commander is an ideal format for Pongify due to its abundance of creature tokens. It's also playable in casual games where players prefer a more dynamic board state.

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.

Card Mechanics & Interactions

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

  • When Pongify resolves, it destroys the target creature immediately, regardless of whether that creature is in combat or not.
  • If the destroyed creature has any enchantment or equipment attached to it, those will remain on the battlefield as unattached cards. Griselbrand
  • The destroyed creature's controller cannot use regeneration effects to revive it, even if Pongify is countered or discarded.
  • After resolving, Pongify creates a 3/3 green Ape token under its controller's control. This token will participate in combat and can be targeted by other spells.

Edge Cases

  • If the target creature is already at 0 toughness before being destroyed, Pongify still resolves and the creature token is created.
  • If the destroyed creature has an ability that triggers when it dies, that ability will not trigger because Pongify destroys the creature instead of letting it die naturally. Liliana's Reclamation
  • If multiple Pongify spells target the same creature, they can resolve in any order. The first one to resolve will destroy the creature and create a token.

Unusual Rules Interactions

  • Pongify interacts poorly with cards that care about creatures dying or being destroyed, such as Karn's Temporal Sundering. These effects may trigger or be affected by Pongify's destruction of the target creature.
  • Cards like Vraska's Contempt can prevent Pongify from resolving its second effect and creating a token.

Commander-Specific Quirks

  • In Commander games, Pongify can be used to help build up a token army in green or mono-green decks. Its ability to create a 3/3 creature is particularly strong in aggressive strategies.
  • When played with cards like Craterhoof Behemoth or Soul Wist, Pongify's destruction of creatures can enable the token generation on these cards.
Strategic Applications

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:

  • Mono-Green Stompy: In this aggressive archetype, Pongify serves as an excellent finisher, clearing the board and generating a 3/3 Ape creature to seal the game.
  • Jeskai Control: This color combination often relies on disrupting opponents' creatures with Counterspell, Abrupt Decay, or Savage Lands. Pongify can be used in conjunction with these cards to further neutralize threats and control the board.
  • Azami, Lady of Scrolls: As a tempo-based deck focused on card draw and counterspells, Pongify provides an additional way to clear the board and generate value from Azami's ability.

Pongify is particularly effective when combined with other cards that benefit from creature destruction or token generation. For example:

  • Goblin Guide: This aggressive creature can be used in conjunction with Pongify to quickly generate a 3/3 Ape creature and overwhelm opponents.
  • Soul Wist: By sacrificing this creature, you can use Pongify's ability to create a new 3/3 Ape creature, providing additional token advantage.

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.

Advanced Techniques

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:

  • Nature's Claim: This card allows for a potentially game-changing blowout if used in conjunction with Pongify, creating a scenario where an opponent cannot recover from the loss of one of their key creatures.
  • Giant Growth: Applying a size boost to the token created by Pongify makes it significantly harder for opponents to deal with without overcommitting or leaving themselves open to counterattacks.

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.

Common Mistakes

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.

  • Wait for End Step: Cast Pongify on your turn, and let it resolve during the end step. This way, any creatures that were destroyed by Pongify won't exist yet, making them available for the token creation trigger.
  • Use with Instant Speed Creatures: If you have a creature like Karametra's Acolyte, which can be played at instant speed and has a reasonable power level, it's essential to use Pongify as soon as possible. The destruction trigger will occur immediately, allowing the opponent to react accordingly.
  • Avoid Overextending with Tokens: Be cautious not to overextend with tokens when using Pongify in combination with other effects that create creatures. This can lead to an overwhelming board presence and make it difficult for opponents to manage.

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.

  • Destroy Smaller Creatures First: When using Pongify, prioritize destroying smaller creatures that are easier to remove. This allows you to conserve more powerful creatures for later in the game.
  • Be Aware of Regeneration Rules: Keep in mind that regeneration abilities can be complex and have specific interactions with Pongify's destruction trigger. Always check the card text carefully to avoid misunderstandings.

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.

  • Monitor Token Overload: Be mindful of the number of creatures on the board and avoid overwhelming yourself with too many tokens.
  • Consider Board Control: Don't forget about controlling the board presence; Pongify can create a significant impact in this regard, especially if used alongside other token-generating effects.

By being aware of these common mistakes and timing issues, you'll be better equipped to harness Pongify's potential in your Commander deck.

Conclusion

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:

  • Swords to Plowshares: A more expensive but still affordable option for removal.
  • Vraska's Contempt: A Commander staple for blue players, offering a more flexible removal solution.
  • Grafd Drazi: A more expensive but highly efficient removal spell that can be used in place of Pongify.

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.

Deckbuilding & Synergies

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:

  • Cards like Boggart Tribe and Llanowar Elves enable quick token generation and ramp into more expensive spells.
  • Falkenrath, Ultimate Deceiver provides a formidable flying threat while creating additional tokens with Pongify's effect.
  • Glimmervoid offers a way to exile creatures, potentially saving them from destruction and allowing for repeated uses of Pongify.

Blue Control Synergies:

  • Cards like Counterspell and Daze create an environment where opponents struggle to respond effectively to the ape tokens generated by Pongify.
  • Spell Pierce and Mana Leak help maintain control over the board, allowing for more efficient use of resources.
  • Omniscience can generate token duplicates, amplifying the impact of Pongify's effect.

Hybrid Synergies:

These synergies can be combined with various commanders, such as Komatatsu, Aviary Familiar, Yarok, the Disciple, or Omniscience.

Format Roles

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

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.

  • In multiplayer formats, Pongify can disrupt aggressive decks that rely on Goblin Guide-style creatures.
  • When facing a token swarm, such as from a deck featuring Mwonvuli Acid-Moss, Pongify's ability to create a 3/3 green Ape token can help stabilize the board.

However, Pongify struggles in situations where it is not an immediate game-changer or where its opponent has a strong removal spell:

  • Against decks with robust removal spells like Nature's Claim or Abrupt Decay, Pongify may not be enough to disrupt the opponent's plans.
  • In slow-burn, control matchups, Pongify can fall behind as the game progresses due to the lack of immediate impact.
History & Meta

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.

Flavor & Lore

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.

Budget/Alternatives

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:

  • Swords to Plowshares: A more expensive but still affordable option for removal.
  • Vraska's Contempt: A Commander staple for blue players, offering a more flexible removal solution.
  • Grafd Drazi: A more expensive but highly efficient removal spell that can be used in place of Pongify.

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.