What it does
"Harbinger of Despair" isn't a standard Magic keyword or ability—it doesn't appear on any official card or in the comprehensive rules. You may be thinking of a specific card name, a flavor term, or possibly conflating it with something like "Herald of Despair" or a custom/homebrew card.
If you encountered this on a card, double-check the exact wording, as the actual mechanics would come from that card's printed text—often involving abilities like menace, sacrifice effects, or forced discard, which are common on despair-themed black cards. Black "despair" cards typically punish opponents through life loss, hand disruption, or creature sacrifice.
If you can share the precise card name or its rules text, I'll happily break down what it does, the nuance players misplay, and how it performs in Commander. Reliable sources like Scryfall or Gatherer can confirm the exact card.
Iconic cards with Harbinger of Despair
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