EDH Optimizer
Dread Return
Dread Return is a black sorcery that counts as recursion. It appears in the recommended lists of 145 commanders, and 5% of black decks run it.
Type: Sorcery
Cost: 2BB
Color identity: Black
Reference price: €0.30
Oldest printing: Time Spiral
Role in the deck: recursion
Rules text
Official text (Scryfall).
Paste your list and we tell you whether this card fits: ramp, draw, interaction, curve and a 10,000-game simulation.
📥 Analyze my deck for free 🛠️ Browse commandersCommanders that play it
The commanders with the highest synergy with this card, with the share of their decks that run it. Each one links to its deck guide.
| Commander | Identity | Inclusion | Synergy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Szarekh, the Silent King | Black | 81% | +69% |
| Songbird, Sonic Screamer | Black | 75% | +63% |
| Imotekh the Stormlord | Black | 74% | +62% |
| Minotaur, Roxxon CEO | Black | 73% | +61% |
| Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis | Black · Green | 67% | +59% |
| Grist, Voracious Larva // Grist, the Plague Swarm | Black · Green | 62% | +54% |
| Sidisi, Brood Tyrant | Black · Green · Blue | 63% | +52% |
| Araumi of the Dead Tide | Black · Blue | 56% | +50% |
| Ultimate Green Goblin | Black · Red | 53% | +48% |
| Taigam, Sidisi's Hand | Black · Blue | 50% | +44% |
| Symbiote Spider-Man | Black · Blue | 47% | +40% |
| Old Rutstein | Black · Green | 47% | +38% |
| Arnim Zola, Bio-Fanatic | Black | 50% | +38% |
| The Ancient One | Black · Blue | 44% | +38% |
| Lluwen, Imperfect Naturalist | Black · Green | 46% | +37% |
| The Necrobloom | Black · Green · White | 43% | +37% |
| Demonlord Belzenlok | Black | 48% | +37% |
| Anrakyr the Traveller | Black | 48% | +36% |
| Bladewing, Deathless Tyrant | Black · Red | 40% | +36% |
| Vanille, Cheerful l'Cie | Black · Green | 44% | +36% |
| The Meep | Black | 48% | +36% |
| Egon, God of Death // Throne of Death | Black | 47% | +35% |
| Spider-Man Noir | Black | 46% | +35% |
| Teval, the Balanced Scale | Black · Green · Blue | 45% | +34% |
How much it is played, by color identity
Share of decks in each identity that run it, according to EDHREC.
Archetypes where it shows up
The most common themes among the commanders that play it. Each one links to its archetype guide.
Reanimator · 113 Graveyard · 87 Aristocrats · 69 Self-Mill · 54 Combo · 53 Mill · 48 Sacrifice · 47 Tokens · 45
Known combos with Dread Return
According to Commander Spellbook. Note that a two-card combo raises your deck's bracket.
- Viscera Seer + Dualcaster Mage + Dread Return → Infinite creature ETB, Infinite creature LTB, Infinite death triggers
- Ashnod's Altar + Dualcaster Mage + Dread Return → Infinite creature ETB, Infinite creature LTB, Infinite colorless mana
- Goblin Bombardment + Dualcaster Mage + Dread Return → Infinite death triggers, Infinite creature ETB, Infinite creature LTB
- Cephalid Illusionist + Nomads en-Kor + Narcomoeba + Dread Return + Thassa's Oracle → Infinite self-mill, Win the game
- Phyrexian Altar + Dualcaster Mage + Dread Return → Infinite creature ETB, Infinite creature LTB, Infinite colored mana
- Scholar of the Ages + Sacrifice + Dread Return → Infinite black mana, Infinite death triggers, Infinite creature ETB
- Altar of Dementia + Dualcaster Mage + Dread Return → Infinite creature ETB, Infinite creature LTB, Infinite death triggers
- Dualcaster Mage + Carrion Feeder + Dread Return → Infinite +1/+1 counters on a creature, Infinite creature ETB, Infinite creature LTB
Cards that go with it
The ones that show up most often in the same commanders' lists.
Frequently asked questions
Which Commander decks play Dread Return?
It is in the recommended lists of 145 commanders, with an average inclusion of 31% in their decks. The commanders with the highest synergy with it are Szarekh, the Silent King · Songbird, Sonic Screamer · Imotekh the Stormlord. Overall, 5% of black decks run it.
How much does Dread Return cost?
Its reference price is €0.30 (cheapest English printing according to Scryfall; it changes daily). The EDH Optimizer optimizer only suggests cards that fit the per-card price cap you pick.
Does Dread Return have combos?
Yes: 8 known combos on Commander Spellbook. The most popular one is Viscera Seer + Dualcaster Mage + Dread Return. Remember that two-card combos raise your deck's bracket.
Can I play Dread Return in my deck?
It is legal in Commander. Its color identity is black, so it only fits in decks whose commander has those colors in its identity (or any deck if it is colorless). EDH Optimizer automatically flags cards outside your commander's identity.