Torment ability

The Torment ability is a slang term used by Magic R&D to describe the following effect: "Target player sacrifices a nonland permanent, pays 3 life, or discards a card." This effect is not named after the card <c>Torment</c> or the set Torment, but rather after the vertical cycle of Torments in Hour of Devastation. 
==Description==
The effect is primary used in black. It gives the opponent some options of what to pay, making it similar to a punisher mechanic, but with a "default" option that stops opponents from choosing to pick a cost they can't pay (e.g. discard with an empty hand).
===Cards with Torment===
*
*
*
*
*
* (Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate)
*<c>Starseer Mentor</c> (Bloomburrow)
*<c>Thornplate Intimidator</c> (Bloomburrow)
*<c>Perforating Artist</c> (Magic: The Gathering Foundations)
===Similar cards===
* - each opponent sacrifices a creature, discards a card, and loses four life
* - sacrifice permanent instead of nonland permanent, two life rather than three
* - sacrifice creature instead of nonland permanent, controller draws rather than opponent discards
*<c>Osseous Sticktwister</c> - damage instead of life loss, equal to Osseous Sticktwister's power
*<c>Polygraph Orb</c> - sacrifice creature instead of nonland permanent
* - cannot sacrifice permanents
* - sacrifice creature or planeswalker instead of nonland permanent, five life rather than three, discard two rather than discard one
*<c>Rottenmouth Viper</c> - four life rather than three
*<c>Zoyowa Lava-Tongue</c> - damage instead of life loss, sacrifice permanent instead of nonland permanent
==References==
Category:Magic slang
Category:Miscellaneous mechanics