This 1993 Limited Edition Beta Magic: The Gathering card features the iconic black sorcery Drain Life, numbered 106 in the set.
Drain Life
1993 • Magic: The Gathering • Limited Edition Beta
No Listings Available
No listings available right now.
Market Price Guide
| Condition | Value | Comps | Source | Price Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw / Ungraded | $19.87Over the last 30 days, stored prices ranged from $19.87 to $19.87 across 2 capture days. Change between Sep 4, 2026 and Sep 12, 2026: 0%. Compares the same source, grade and signed status. Capture days are not completed-sale counts. | Unknown | Guide estimate Based on TCGplayer Market (reference) | Source observation date unavailable |
Price History
Description
Drain Life, card number 106 from the 1993 Limited Edition Beta set, stands as a fundamental component of the original Magic: The Gathering experience. Designed by Douglas Shuler, this common sorcery card introduced players to a versatile black mana effect that has defined the color's philosophy for decades. Released under the set code LEB, this early print represents the genesis of a game that would go on to shape the entire trading card game landscape. The card’s mechanics offer a strategic blend of aggression and sustainability. By spending only black mana on the variable X cost, players can deal damage to any target while simultaneously gaining life equal to the damage dealt. This life gain is capped by the target's current life total, planeswalker loyalty, or creature toughness, ensuring a balanced interaction that rewards tactical decision-making. This design allowed early players to stabilize against aggressive strategies or finish off weakened opponents, making it a staple in black decks from the very beginning. As a cornerstone of the Limited Edition Beta, Drain Life is highly sought after by collectors who value the historical significance of Magic: The Gathering's second printing. The set's distinctive blue border and classic artwork style provide a nostalgic backdrop for this essential spell. For investors and hobbyists, owning a piece of the Limited Edition Beta offers a tangible connection to the game's origins. Whether you are completing a full set of the Beta print run or focusing on iconic cards that defined the early meta, this card remains a critical piece of Magic history. Its enduring presence in the game’s lore and mechanics ensures its relevance continues to grow as new generations of players discover the depths of strategic play.
Have one of these to sell?
We'll pre-fill the product details from this catalog entry, so your listing lands on this exact page. Just add photos of your copy, pick its condition, and set your price.
Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Catalog Profile
The core identity of the card within the set.
Featured Subject
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Drain Life
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Common
Douglas Shuler
Card Stock
English
{X}{1}{B}
Sorcery
B
Card Text
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Spend only black mana on X. Drain Life deals X damage to any target. You gain life equal to the damage dealt, but not more life than the player's life total before the damage was dealt, the planeswalker's loyalty before the damage was dealt, or the creature's toughness.
