The 1996 Alliances expansion card #49a, Feast or Famine, is a black Instant from Magic: The Gathering that offers players a choice between creating a Zombie token or destroying a target creature.
Feast or Famine
1996 • Magic: The Gathering • Alliances
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$0.09
Description
Feast or Famine, designated as card number 49a in the 1996 Alliances set, is a foundational black Instant in Magic: The Gathering. Designed by Pete Venters, this card exemplifies the strategic depth available in the game's early years. The card presents a binary choice that has defined its utility for decades: the caster may either create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token or destroy a target nonartifact, nonblack creature, with the latter being unable to be regenerated. This duality makes it a staple in decks seeking to control the board or bolster their forces with minimal resource investment. As a Common rarity card, Feast or Famine serves as a critical piece for any Magic: The Gathering collector focusing on the Alliances expansion. Collectors often seek out cards from this era to understand the evolution of the game’s rules and design philosophy. The inclusion of flavor text referencing Halvor Arensson and Lim-Dûl adds narrative weight, connecting the card to the broader storylines of the game's lore. For investors and hobbyists, maintaining a complete collection of the Alliances set is a common goal. Feast or Famine represents an accessible entry point into this release, allowing enthusiasts to complete their portfolios without the premium associated with higher-rarity cards. Whether you are building a themed collection or simply appreciating the mechanics of early Magic expansions, this card remains a significant artifact of the hobby's development. Its straightforward yet impactful effect continues to resonate with players and collectors alike, bridging the gap between gameplay utility and historical significance.
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Card Details
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Catalog Profile
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Featured Subject
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Featured
Feast or Famine
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
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Common
Pete Venters
Card Stock
English
{3}{B}
Instant
B
Card Text
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Choose one — • Create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token. • Destroy target nonartifact, nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated.
"We are not yet free of Lim-Dûl's terrors." —Halvor Arensson, Kjeldoran Priest














