Dark Bargain MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 83
2020-04-24 - Number 82
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Look at the top three cards of your library. Put two of them into your hand and the other into your graveyard. Dark Bargain deals 2 damage to you.
"I have pustules of the great Ratadrabik, very cheap. No? Surely you'll want a tincture of Nevinyrral's pulverized remains. Genuine!"
Cards like Dark Bargain
Dark Bargain stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an intriguing option for players looking to draw cards at a crucial moment. It bears resemblance to other cards like Read the Bones which also allows a player to draw two cards while losing life. However, Dark Bargain allows looking at the top three cards of the library at the cost of four mana, which is a slight mana increase over Read the Bones but offers deeper digging into your deck.
Live Fast is another comparable card that provides two energy counters in addition to drawing two cards and losing two life, though it doesn’t let you look at additional cards like Dark Bargain does. Conversely, Succumb to Temptation offers instant speed card draw, but its lack of selective card advantage prevents it from standing toe-to-toe with Dark Bargain’s ability to filter the top of the deck, making it a critical decision at the right moment in a match.
Considering these comparisons, Dark Bargain provides a solid strategic edge for those late-game scenarios where the right card can pivot the game’s direction, especially in decks that can afford its mana cost and leverage life as a resource efficiently. Its unique combination of elements secures its niche among card draw spells in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Dark Bargain by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dark Bargain stands out by letting you look at the top three cards of your deck, giving you the selection power to add the two most beneficial cards to your hand. This choice factor elevates your strategic play, ensuring you have the right answers or threats when you need them.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the ability to dig deeper into your deck can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by helping you find key lands or ramp spells. Keeping the gas pedal down on your resource development is crucial, and Dark Bargain helps maintain that momentum.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Dark Bargain at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows you to pass the turn with open mana, bluffing countermagic or removal, and if no immediate threat surfaces, you can then cast Dark Bargain at the perfect moment—your opponent’s end step—keeping you flush with options and ready for your next turn without missing a beat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dark Bargain makes you discard a card at random, which might force you to lose a valuable asset unexpectedly. This can be particularly damaging if your hand only contains key pieces of your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a combination of black and generic mana, which may not align with decks that utilize a wider color spectrum or those that aim for mana efficiency in multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana to cast, Dark Bargain falls on the expensive side for an instant that provides card selection and life loss. Other cards might offer similar advantages without the increased cost and life penalty.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dark Bargain gives players the opportunity to dig deeper into their library, fitting seamlessly into decks that revolve around card selection and graveyard strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can set up graveyard synergies or enable reanimation tactics, working well in concert with cards that capitalize on having a stocked graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to fetch key pieces while fueling graveyard-based plays, it can be a useful sideboard card in environments where control or combo decks are prevalent.
How to beat
Dark Bargain stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a late-game power play that offers card advantage at a crucial moment. This instant allows you to look at the top three cards of your library, pick two, and lose life equal to the mana cost of the card left behind – a steep price for the unprepared opponent.
To outmaneuver Dark Bargain, smart play and resource management become key. Prioritize keeping your life total healthy, as each point can make a difference when Dark Bargain comes into play. Utilize disruption tactics—well-timed counterspells or hand disruption can prevent your opponent from gaining the upper hand that Dark Bargain provides. More aggressive decks might overpower the player before they get to leverage the cards gained from Dark Bargain. Meanwhile, maintaining a board presence can pressure your opponent, making it harder to allocate four mana for this spell without falling behind.
Careful observation of game state and understanding when to press your advantage or disrupt your opponent can protect you against the swing that Dark Bargain aims to provide. Control decks especially have the tools necessary to curb its potency and keep the match in their favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dark Bargain MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Dark Bargain and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Dark Bargain Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2020-04-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 83 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Jacobson | |
| 2 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 82 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dark Bargain has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dark Bargain card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-04-17 | If you have fewer than three cards in your library, you put them all into your hand and none into your graveyard. |