Cruel Bargain MTG Card

Cruel Bargain grants significant card advantage, potentially swinging the game in your favor. The card can rapidly accelerate your threat deployment, overpowering unprepared opponents quickly. Flexible response with instant-speed spells drawn is an underappreciated strategic benefit.

Portal (POR)
1997-05-01 - Number 86

Vintage Masters (VMA)
2014-06-16 - Number 111

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Draw four cards. You lose half your life, rounded up. (For example, if you have 11 life, you lose 6 life.)

Cards like Cruel Bargain

Cruel Bargain stands out in the realm of card draw magic cards due to its unique effect that provides an undeniable advantage at a significant cost. Drawing three cards for a mere three mana makes it a powerful tool for those looking to refuel their hand quickly. When compared to Pain’s Reward, which offers a similar high-risk, high-reward dynamic, Cruel Bargain does not involve bidding life but instead requires the payment upfront.

Another card with a parallel concept is Infernal Contract. Like Cruel Bargain, this card also allows for the drawing of three cards at the expense of half of one’s life total. However, Infernal Contract’s immediate life loss can be riskier in tightly contested games. Peer into the Abyss, although much more expensive mana-wise, takes this concept even further, drawing half of one’s library and losing half one’s life. It’s an extreme version for those willing to gamble their game on one massive play.

In essence, while evaluating the trade-offs present in similar draw cards, Cruel Bargain presents an attractive option for players seeking a boost in card advantage without the uncertainty of life auctions or larger mana investments.

Cards similar to Cruel Bargain by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cruel Bargain is a powerful tool for increasing your hand options. By drawing three cards at once, you significantly boost your chances of having the right answer or threat at the right time, outmaneuvering opponents with a well-stocked hand.

Resource Acceleration: Despite the life cost, these newly acquired cards can lead to a rapid deployment of threats or combo pieces. This surge can overwhelm opponents who are not prepared for such an acceleration in your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Cruel Bargain is a sorcery, it’s important to note that the cards drawn could include instant-speed spells which provide a tactical advantage. The immediate access to more resources allows for flexible responses and can tip the scales in your favor during crucial turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cruel Bargain demands a steep price beyond its mana cost. Players must be prepared to discard three cards, which can severely deplete your hand, limiting your strategic options and leaving you potentially vulnerable to your opponent’s next move.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a demand for three black mana, which makes it exclusive to decks that run heavily on black or have a reliable mana base that can accommodate such a cost without hindering the deck’s overall mana flow.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of three black mana, Cruel Bargain may be considered slow, especially in formats where speed is essential. There are alternative options that allow players to draw cards at a lower cost, and though these options might not provide as many cards at once, they’re often more efficient in terms of resource management.

Reasons to Include Cruel Bargain in Your Collection

Versatility: Cruel Bargain offers a substantial payoff drawing three cards at the cost of half your life rounded up. It’s a solid addition to decks that manipulate life totals or thrive on card advantage.

Combo Potential: This card is a powerful enabler in decks that look to assemble combo pieces quickly or recover from aggressive mulligans. With the right setup, the life loss can be mitigated, turning the downside into a mere footnote of your path to victory.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames dominated by slower, more controlling strategies, Cruel Bargain can give you the cards you need to outmaneuver opponents or find key sideboard cards to tilt the match in your favor.

How to beat

Cruel Bargain is a potent draw spell in Magic the Gathering, offering an influx of new cards at the cost of life. Much like Necropotence, this card sacrifices immediate life points for long-term advantage in the form of card availability. Negotiating the balance between life and power is crucial when facing this card. To outplay an opponent relying on Cruel Bargain, life gain strategies become paramount. Cards like Authority of the Consuls can mitigate the advantage they gain by hobbling their aggressive tempo.

Another approach is to capitalize on your opponent’s reduced life total. Aggressive burn spells or creatures can turn their life-spending into a riskier proposition. In essence, putting pressure on their life total can force them into a defensive position, counteracting the card advantage they gained. Consider incorporating timely removal spells to handle the threats they put on the board with that extra card power. The key is to keep their board clear and maintain pressure, never allowing them to stabilize and leverage the cards gained from Cruel Bargain.

Ultimately, when strategizing around Cruel Bargain, it’s about tipping the scales of risk and reward in your favor, ensuring that the life your opponent pays costs them the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cruel Bargain MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Vintage Masters, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Cruel Bargain and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cruel Bargain Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Adrian Smith.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-05-01	Portal	POR		86	1997	Normal	Black	Adrian Smith
2	2014-06-16	Vintage Masters	VMA		111	2015	Normal	Black	Adrian Smith

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cruel Bargain has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal