Drain Life
Limited Edition Beta 106 • common
- Set
- Limited Edition Beta
- Collector number
- 106
- Rarity
- Common
- Mana cost
- X mana 1 generic mana black mana
- Type
- Sorcery
- Colors
- Black
- Artist
- Douglas Shuler
- Market price
- $22.45
What it does
Spend only black mana on X.
Drain Life deals X damage to any target. You gain life equal to the damage dealt, but not more life than the player's life total before the damage was dealt, the planeswalker's loyalty before the damage was dealt, or the creature's toughness.
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- PioneerNot legal
- ModernNot legal
- LegacyLegal
- VintageLegal
- CommanderLegal
- PauperLegal
- BrawlNot legal
- HistoricNot legal
- TimelessNot legal
- Penny DreadfulNot legal
- OathbreakerLegal
Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.
Where to find one
Search for Drain Life on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
Drain Life was released in 1993 as part of Limited Edition Beta, the second printing of the original Magic: The Gathering base set. Designed by Richard Garfield, the card was intended to establish a fundamental mechanic for the black color identity, specifically the ability to siphon power from an opponent to sustain the caster. This drain-effect mechanic served as a key strategic pillar for black decks, emphasizing the game's theme of life force exchange.
The artwork was created by Douglas Shuler, one of the original illustrators for the game. Shuler’s depiction features a macabre, visceral visualization of essence being pulled from a victim, which resonated with the darker fantasy aesthetic established in the game's early days. As a common card in the Beta set, it saw widespread use in competitive play and remains a nostalgic touchstone for early players who favored the resource management style unique to the black color sphere.
Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion
Who's collecting this
Real cards collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Drain Life
Drain Life is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Limited Edition Beta 106 • common. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Drain Life on collecto.rs?
Drain Life doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Drain Life?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your card, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other magic: the gathering collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Drain Life catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Drain Life is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs cards tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your cards is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every card you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
