The 2021 Magic: The Gathering Painful Lesson card (BBD-154) from The List set. This sorcery targets an opponent to draw two cards while losing 2 life.
Painful Lesson
2021 • Magic: The Gathering • The List
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Market & Price History
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0.27 | Guide Estimate | -6.9% | ||
- $0.27
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- -6.9%
- Price Details
30-day Price History
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Nov 5, 2026
Description
The 2021 Magic: The Gathering release known as Painful Lesson is cataloged as card number BBD-154 within The List set. As a black sorcery, it requires a mana cost of two generic mana and one black mana to cast. The card's effect allows a target player to draw two cards but forces them to lose 2 life in the process, creating a strategic trade-off for the opponent. This design reflects the thematic elements often found in Magic: The Gathering, where players must balance resource acquisition with potential drawbacks. The List set is unique in the Magic: The Gathering landscape, often featuring reprints and promotional cards that do not appear in standard booster packs. Collectors of Magic: The Gathering trading cards frequently seek out cards from The List due to their distinct distribution method and the specific cards they contain. The inclusion of Painful Lesson in this set highlights its relevance to the game's broader ecosystem, even though it is a common rarity. For enthusiasts of Magic: The Gathering, owning cards like Painful Lesson can be part of a broader collecting journey. The card's artwork, created by Adrian Majkrzak, adds visual appeal to the piece, though the primary collector value often lies in the card's gameplay utility and its place within The List set. Whether you are building a collection focused on specific sets or exploring the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering, Painful Lesson represents a tangible piece of the game's history and design philosophy. It serves as a reminder of the intricate mechanics that define the trading card game experience. By understanding the card's mechanics and its context within The List, collectors can make informed decisions about their collections. The card's straightforward yet impactful effect makes it a notable addition for those who value strategic depth in their Magic: The Gathering cards.
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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
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Featured
Painful Lesson
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
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Common
Adrian Majkrzak
Card Stock
English
{2}{B}
Sorcery
B
Card Text
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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
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mana cost of Painful Lesson?
Painful Lesson has a mana cost of two generic mana and one black mana ({2}{B}). This allows players to cast it relatively early in the game if they have sufficient black mana sources.
What set is Painful Lesson BBD-154 from?
Painful Lesson is part of The List set in Magic: The Gathering, released in 2021. The List set typically features promotional cards that are distributed through various channels outside of standard booster packs.
What does the Painful Lesson card do?
The Painful Lesson card is a sorcery that forces a target player to draw two cards and then lose 2 life. This effect can be useful for disrupting an opponent's hand or resources while gaining a slight life advantage for the caster.
Cards Named Painful Lesson
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