What is the mana cost for Drain Life in Magic: The Gathering?

Drain Life requires a mana cost of {X}{1}{B}, meaning it needs one black mana and any amount of black mana to determine the value of X. This makes it a flexible spell that can be cast with varying amounts of black mana available.

What set and year was the Drain Life card ll132 released in?

The card ll132 was released in 1996 as part of the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour Collector Set. It is a common card within this vintage set, which is highly regarded for containing many foundational cards from the game's early days.

How does the Drain Life card mechanic work in gameplay?

Drain Life deals X damage to any target, and the player gains life equal to the damage dealt. However, the life gained is limited to the target's current life total, planeswalker loyalty, or creature toughness, preventing excessive life gain from single-target spells.

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Reference artwork · details may differ from this copy

About This Card

The iconic 1996 Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour Collector Set card, Drain Life (ll132). This black sorcery offers a strategic life-gain mechanic for TCG enthusiasts.

Drain Life

1996 • Magic: The Gathering • Pro Tour Collector Set

1996 Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour Collector Set

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Market Value

Raw/Ungraded Market: $0.72

Updated 6 days ago

Based on TCGplayer Market (reference)Last Updated Oct 12, 2026Check Price Guide

Market & Price History

Condition	Value	Source	Trend	Price Details
	$0.72Oct 12, 2026	Guide Estimate	+14.3%
Based on TCGplayer Market (reference) Estimate: $0.72, based on Guide Estimate. Source date not availableCaptured Oct 12, 2026 Guide Estimate: $0.72. Evidence date not available. Few comparable observations are available, so this estimate may be less reliable. Over the last 30 days, stored prices ranged from $0.63 to $0.72 across 2 capture days. Change between Sep 21, 2026 and Oct 12, 2026: 14.3%. Compares the same source, grade and signed status. Capture days are not completed-sale counts.

$0.72Oct 12, 2026
Source
Guide Estimate
Trend
+14.3%
Price Details
Based on TCGplayer Market (reference)
Estimate: $0.72, based on Guide Estimate.
Source date not availableCaptured Oct 12, 2026
Guide Estimate: $0.72. Evidence date not available.
Few comparable observations are available, so this estimate may be less reliable.
Over the last 30 days, stored prices ranged from $0.63 to $0.72 across 2 capture days. Change between Sep 21, 2026 and Oct 12, 2026: 14.3%. Compares the same source, grade and signed status. Capture days are not completed-sale counts.

30-day Price History

Raw / Ungraded

TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Oct 12, 2026

Each point is the last stored observation that day for this printing, condition, grader, autograph status and source. Gaps mean no observation; guide estimates and asking prices are not completed sales.

Product Overview

Description

The Pro Tour Collector Set, released in 1996, remains a cornerstone for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts who value the game's foundational era. This product features the card Drain Life, identified by the code ll132. As a common card from this vintage release, it represents the essential black mana strategy that defined early competitive play. Drain Life is a sorcery that requires black mana to cast. Its unique effect allows players to deal X damage to any target while gaining life equal to the damage dealt, capped by the target's current resources such as life total or loyalty. This mechanic has made it a perennial favorite for builders focused on resource management and survival. The card's design and rules text reflect the straightforward yet powerful mechanics of the 1996 era, crafted by artist Douglas Shuler. For collectors of the Pro Tour Collector Set, this card is a key component of the complete collection. It serves as a tangible link to the game's history, appealing to those who appreciate the evolution of card design and gameplay mechanics. Whether you are assembling a vintage set or seeking a classic card for your library, this 1996 release offers significant nostalgic and historical value. The card's enduring popularity in the TCG community highlights its importance as a piece of gaming history, making it a desirable item for serious Magic: The Gathering collectors.

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Product Specs

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.

Year

1996

Brand

Magic: The Gathering

Series

Pro Tour Collector Set

Card Number

#ll132

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.

Rarity

Common

Artist

Douglas Shuler

Material

Card Stock

Language

English

Mana cost

{X}{1}{B}

Type

Sorcery

Color

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.