Lich

Description

The Lich card, numbered 110 in Magic: The Gathering's 2022 30th Anniversary Edition, is a black rare enchantment that fundamentally alters how life points function in the game. This card features a mana cost of four black mana and serves as a high-risk, high-reward strategy for players willing to trade their remaining health for massive card advantage. When played, the enchantment forces the controller to lose life equal to their current total, but it immediately grants immunity to losing the game through zero or less life, creating a unique gameplay loop centered on survival and resource management. The strategic depth of this card lies in its ability to convert life gain into drawing cards. Instead of healing, any life gained triggers a card draw equal to the amount, encouraging aggressive deck-building focused on life manipulation. However, the card imposes severe penalties for taking damage, requiring the player to sacrifice non-token permanents to survive hits. If the enchantment leaves the battlefield, the game ends immediately, adding a permanent, high-stakes condition to the match. The card is illustrated by Daniel Gelon, whose artwork complements the dark, thematic elements of the black mana color identity. For players looking to build decks around unique win conditions, this enchantment offers a distinct mechanical profile that stands out among standard black strategies.