Painbringer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Minion |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 155 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pete Venters |
Text of card
oc T, Remove any number of cards in your graveyard from the game: Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of cards removed this way.
Cards like Painbringer
Painbringer brings a unique edge to creature cards with its fascinating activation ability, standing out among its peers in MTG. It can easily be compared to cards like Disciple of Griselbrand, which also revolves around life exchange for a benefit. However, Painbringer offers direct damage to any target, providing a more robust utility by affecting board state directly, in contrast to Disciple’s life-gain ability which is more passive.
When we consider Nantuko Shade, another creature with an ability to pay mana for a combat attribute enhancement, Painbringer’s utility shines again. Nantuko Shade allows for a boost in power, but Painbringer offers more tactical flexibility with its damage-dealing capability. Guardian Idol, a mana-generating artifact, also shares the aspect of investing mana for a return; however, it lacks the damaging feature that defines Painbringer’s role on the battlefield.
Critical examination of these comparisons foregrounds Painbringer as a versatile card. Its ability to target creatures or players gives players strategic advantages in various game scenarios, underlining its value in MTG collections that favor control and direct damage strategies.
Cards similar to Painbringer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Painbringer is on the battlefield, its ability to exile cards from graveyards and convert them into life point gain provides a dual edge. Not only does it disrupt opponents’ graveyard strategies, but it simultaneously offers a sustainability boost, helping you edge out in the long game.
Resource Acceleration: Painbringer’s ability can serve as a form of resource acceleration by removing potential threats or key components from the game. Its graveyard exiling effects can prevent opponents from accessing or recycling their resources, thereby slowing down their strategy and gaining you an upper hand.
Instant Speed: Painbringer’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to threats or opportunities at the most opportune moments during either your or your opponent’s turn. This makes Painbringer a versatile tool in your MTG arsenal, ready to adapt to the shifting tides of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Painbringer necessitates that you discard a card in order to activate its ability. This requirement can work against you when you’re managing a limited hand size, potentially depleting your valuable resources and diminishing your strategic options as the game progresses.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation is dependent on having black mana available. For players running a multicolored deck, this could pose a challenge, as the necessity to tap specifically for black mana may not always align with your mana base, potentially causing delays or suboptimal plays.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When taking into account the total cost required to get Painbringer into play and utilize its ability effectively, the card may appear less enticing. With other creatures and spells in the format that provide similar or greater impact without the hefty mana expenditure, Painbringer may be overlooked in favour of more mana-efficient options.
Reasons to Include Painbringer in Your Collection
Versatility: Painbringer offers flexibility in how you utilize its ability to deal damage. This card can synergize with decks focused on life drain, control, or utilizing creatures in the graveyard.
Combo Potential: Its ability to tap for damage can be cleverly combined with untap mechanics or cards that benefit from targets receiving damage, potentially unlocking powerful interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Should your playgroup or the broader meta trend towards creature-heavy decks, Painbringer can become an asset, punishing opponent’s board states and managing potential threats effectively.
How to beat
Painbringer presents itself as a challenging card in MTG due to its ability to deal damage while offering a constant threat to creatures. Its power comes from the activation of its abilities that drain life, making it a source of consistent pain for opponents. Painbringer’s efficiency however, can be countered by removing it before it becomes a threat or by using graveyard disruption strategies to prevent its ability from activating.
Removal spells such as Murder or Path to Exile can directly target and eliminate Painbringer, ensuring that the threat is gone for good. Counterspells also prove effective by nipping the problem in the bud and preventing Painbringer from ever hitting the battlefield. Additionally, since Painbringer relies on cards in the graveyard to activate its abilities, cards like Scavenging Ooze or Rest in Peace can inhibit its power, transforming it into a non-issue. It is essential to tackle Painbringer proactively, and implementing these strategies can ensure that it’s more of a minor nuisance than a game-ending threat.
Overall, beating Painbringer involves a strategy of prevention and swift action. By disabling its abilities or removing it completely, players can mitigate the damage it can do and maintain control over the game, reinforcing the importance of strategy in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Painbringer MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Painbringer 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Painbringer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |