The 2017 Magic: The Gathering Amonkhet card Painful Lesson is a Black sorcery that allows a target player to draw two cards while losing 2 life.
2017 • Magic: The Gathering • Amonkhet
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| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0.08As of 9/22/2026 | Guide Estimate | -11.1% | ||
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Sep 22, 2026
Released in 2017 as part of the Amonkhet set, Painful Lesson (card number 102) is a Black sorcery card in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Designed with a mana cost of two generic mana and one black mana, this three-mana-value card provides a strategic interaction that balances resource generation with a significant drawback. The card’s effect requires a target player to draw two cards but simultaneously causes them to lose 2 life, creating a dynamic choice for opponents and a tactical tool for the caster. As a common rarity card, Painful Lesson is a staple for collectors building out the base Amonkhet set. The artwork is by Adrian Majkrzak, whose visual style complements the set’s Egyptian-inspired aesthetic. The card’s flavor text, attributed to Senifet, vizier of Bontu, adds narrative depth, hinting at the brutal lessons taught by the god Bontu within the game’s lore. While the text is paraphrased in catalog listings, it captures the essence of the card’s thematic role. Collectors of Magic: The Gathering often seek out specific cards to complete their sets or to appreciate the unique art and mechanics of each expansion. Painful Lesson represents a straightforward yet impactful interaction typical of the black color identity, which focuses on life manipulation and resource control. For investors and hobbyists, owning individual cards from well-known sets like Amonkhet can be a rewarding aspect of the hobby, preserving a piece of the game’s history. Whether you are a seasoned player or a new collector, understanding the mechanics and context of cards like Painful Lesson enhances the overall experience. This card remains a notable entry in the Amonkhet block, illustrating the game’s consistent design philosophy of offering meaningful choices in every match.
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The core identity of the card within the set.
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Featured
Painful Lesson
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Common
Adrian Majkrzak
Card Stock
English
{2}{B}
Sorcery
B
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Target player draws two cards and loses 2 life.
"You wish to remember this lesson? I will write it down for you." —Senifet, vizier of Bontu
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