Painful Quandary is a rare black enchantment from Magic: The Gathering's 2022 The Brothers' War Promos set, featuring a unique discard-and-life-loss mechanic.
2022 • Magic: The Gathering • The Brothers' War Promos
No listings available right now.
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$2.47As of 9/23/2026 | Guide Estimate | +2.5% | ||
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Sep 23, 2026
Painful Quandary is a rare black enchantment card from the 2022 Magic: The Gathering The Brothers' War Promos set. Assigned card number 111p, this promotional release features artwork by David Palumbo and centers on a powerful defensive interaction. The card requires a mana cost of {3}{B}{B} to cast, establishing it as a mid-to-late game threat with a mana value of 5. The card’s ability triggers whenever an opponent casts a spell, forcing that player to choose between discarding a card or losing 5 life. This mechanic creates a punishing deterrent for aggressive strategies, rewarding players who can survive the initial mana investment to control the board state. The flavor text, "In Mishra's desperation to destroy his brother, he allowed Gix to destroy him instead," grounds the card’s harsh effect in the lore of the Brothers' War conflict. As a promo variant, Painful Quandary holds distinct appeal for Magic: The Gathering collectors who track promotional releases from specific sets. The Brothers' War Promos set includes this enchantment, which costs {3}{B}{B} to cast. This card is numbered 111p in the 2022 The Brothers' War Promos series. Painful Quandary is a black Enchantment from the 2022 The Brothers' War Promos set. Its unique combination of high mana cost and significant impact makes it a memorable inclusion for any Magic: The Gathering enthusiast.
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.
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Painful Quandary
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
David Palumbo
Card Stock
English
{3}{B}{B}
Enchantment
B
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, that player loses 5 life unless they discard a card.
In Mishra's desperation to destroy his brother, he allowed Gix to destroy him instead.
Notable collectible traits associated with this card profile.
Explore cards with this name across sets and editions. Check each card’s details before choosing a version.
