Essence Drain MTG Card
2004-02-06 - Number 43
2007-07-13 - Number 141
2010-06-04 - Number 24
2012-07-13 - Number 93
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Essence Drain deals 3 damage to target creature or player and you gain 3 life.
Mephidross claims all life within it. What cannot be twisted is absorbed.
Cards like Essence Drain
Essence Drain is a notable card in MTG, often compared to other life-sapping spells. It resembles cards like Sorin’s Thirst, with both spells providing direct damage to creatures while also offering the benefit of life gain. Yet, Essence Drain stands out with its ability to target both creatures and players, providing versatility in redirecting the game’s momentum.
Another card that echoes the characteristics of Essence Drain is Drain Life. Although Drain Life also allows for the damage to be translated into life points for the caster, Essence Drain distinguishes itself with a set mana cost, unlike Drain Life which has a scalable mana cost that could potentially deal more damage and gain more life. This clarity in cost makes Essence Drain easier to anticipate and plan for in a match.
Conversely, when examining cards like Corrupt or Consume Spirit, players may recognize the similar theme of damage and life gain based on swamps you control. Despite this similarity, Essence Drain’s non-reliance on a heavy black mana base makes it a more flexible choice for various deck builds.
In weighing the benefits and deck synergy, Essence Drain often finds its place amid MTG strategies for its straightforward application and predictable impact on the gameboard.
Cards similar to Essence Drain by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Essence Drain stands out as it offers both a way to eliminate threats and a method to bolster your life total. This card effectively removes a creature, often swinging the board state in your favor, while simultaneously giving you a vital life boost.
Resource Acceleration: By providing a direct means to affect life totals, Essence Drain can accelerate your progress toward victory in a race situation. It offers a tactical advantage, not in the form of mana, but by helping to close out games faster when life totals are low.
Instant Speed: While Essence Drain is a sorcery, this characteristic reminds players to be strategic about the timing of their removal spells. A well-timed sorcery like Essence Drain, when played during your main phase, can pave the way for a safer attack or prepare the board for your next move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Essence Drain necessitates discarding a card to activate its ability. This can be a significant setback, especially if the player’s hand is already depleted, and the strategic reserves they rely on become diminished.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost demands a precise combination of mana types, which could potentially deter its inclusion in a variety of decks, particularly those not tailored to a black mana curve or strategy. This specificity can sometimes hinder the card’s versatility in gameplay.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that isn’t trivial, Essence Drain commands a greater investment compared to some other removal or direct damage options available in the game. This can slow a player’s momentum as they allocate precious mana resources, which could otherwise be used for playing multiple spells or summoning creatures to bolster their position on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Essence Drain showcases adaptability by being a choice pick for decks emphasizing life gain or loss. It’s an impactful spell in black-based decks, capable of swinging games by targeting creatures or players.
Combo Potential: This card excels in setups focusing on damage amplification or utilizing life as a resource. Synergizing with cards that react to life changes, Essence Drain can become a pivotal play in many game situations.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-heavy decks are prominent, Essence Drain serves as a key removal option while also providing a life buffer against aggressive strategies, making it a card worth considering in your lineup.
How to beat
Essence Drain is a card that presents a dual threat – it not only deals damage but also offers lifegain. This combination can swing games in favor of the player wielding it. To effectively counter this card, strategies focus on either preventing the spell from resolving or nullifying its impact. Counterspells are a direct solution, with cards like Negate ready to stop Essence Drain before it takes effect. Alternatively, utilizing creatures with the ability to grant hexproof to a player, such as Shalai, Voice of Plenty, shields you from becoming the target of such spells.
Protecting your life total is also key. Cards that grant you incremental life or cards that provide a constant source of lifegain can mitigate the effects of Essence Drain. Consider incorporating cards like Radiant Fountain, which offers lifegain just by entering the battlefield. Adaptive strategies that maintain a robust board presence can minimize Essence Drain’s impact, emphasizing the need for creature resilience and versatility in deck building.
Understanding card interactions and maintaining situation awareness are instrumental when facing an Essence Drain. Crafting a deck with the right mix of counters and life-preserving measures can help ensure that Essence Drain doesn’t drain away your chances of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Essence Drain MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel and Tenth Edition, 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 Essence Drain 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 Essence Drain Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2004-02-06 and 2012-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-02-06 | Darksteel | DST | 43 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 141 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 3 | 2010-06-04 | Duels of the Planeswalkers | DPA | 24 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 4 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 93 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Essence Drain has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Essence Drain card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-07-01 | If the target permanent or player is an illegal target when Essence Drain tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t gain 3 life. |