The history and mechanics of Unnatural Hunger, card #169 from the 1999 Mercadian Masques expansion. This rare Aura enchantment demands sacrifice from opponents.
Unnatural Hunger
1999 • Magic: The Gathering • Mercadian Masques
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Price History
$1.63
Description
Unnatural Hunger is a rare Aura enchantment card identified as number 169 in the Mercadian Masques expansion, released in 1999. As part of the Mercadian Masques set, this card holds a specific place in Magic: The Gathering history for collectors who focus on completing the original run of sets from the late 1990s. The card features a mana cost of three generic mana and two black mana, resulting in a mana value of five, making it a significant investment in any black-aligned deck. The gameplay mechanics of Unnatural Hunger center around a powerful upkeep trigger. When the enchanted creature's controller begins their upkeep, the Aura deals damage to that player equal to the creature's power. The affected player can prevent this damage by sacrificing another creature of their choice. This mechanic forces difficult decisions and creates intense gameplay moments, making the card memorable for both new and veteran players. The design emphasizes the strategic tension between maintaining a powerful creature and avoiding self-inflicted damage. The card's rarity status adds to its appeal among those seeking to build comprehensive collections of Magic: The Gathering cards. Whether you are a player looking to understand the card's historical context or a collector interested in the evolution of Aura enchantments, this card offers insight into the strategic depth of the game during this period. The artist Jeff Miracola brought the concept to life, contributing to the visual identity of the Mercadian Masques set. Collectors often seek out cards from this era for their nostalgic value and the unique art styles that defined that generation of Magic cards. The card's enduring presence in discussions about powerful enchantments highlights its significance within the game's lore and mechanics. Understanding the role of cards like Unnatural Hunger helps collectors appreciate the complexity and strategic variety that Magic: The Gathering has offered since its inception. For those interested in the broader context of Magic: The Gathering collecting, cards like Unnatural Hunger serve as important artifacts of the game's development. They represent the creative risks and mechanical innovations that have kept the game engaging for decades. Collecting cards from the Mercadian Masques set allows enthusiasts to own a piece of gaming history and connect with the community of players who have enjoyed these cards for over two decades.
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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
Unnatural Hunger
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
Jeff Miracola
Card Stock
English
{3}{B}{B}
Enchantment — Aura
B
Card Text
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Enchant creature At the beginning of the upkeep of enchanted creature's controller, this Aura deals damage equal to that creature's power to that player unless they sacrifice another creature of their choice.






