Painful Quandary
~$1.55 low · ~$21.55 high
Black. Enchantment
Foundations #179 · Illustrated by David Palumbo
Foundations #179 · Illustrated by David PalumboWhat is Painful Quandary worth?
TCGplayer, eBay and Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy.
TCGplayer market prices in USD, updated October 14, 2026. Each price is for one printing and one finish.
Oracle text
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, that player loses 5 life unless they discard a card.
"For each word spoken, one forgotten. For each thought, a memory rotten." —Moriok incantation
Format legality
All 7 printings of Painful Quandary
| Printing | Rarity | Non-foil | Foil | Cardmarket (EUR) | My collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Foundations fdn #179· 2024rare· Cardmarket €1.04 · €1.31 foil | rare | $1.96 | $2.10 | €1.04€1.31 foil | |
 Foundations Promos pfdn #179s· 2024Promorare· Cardmarket €1.52 foil | rare | No non-foil printing | $2.13 | €1.52 foil | |
 The Brothers' War bro #111· 2022rare· Cardmarket €0.71 · €1.38 foil | rare | $1.55 | $2.14 | €0.71€1.38 foil | |
 The Brothers' War bro #331· 2022Extended Artrare· Cardmarket €2.09 · €3.33 foil | rare | $4.52 | $6.73 | €2.09€3.33 foil | |
 The Brothers' War Promos pbro #111p· 2022Promorare· Cardmarket €1.33 · €1.14 foil | rare | $2.82 | $2.40 | €1.33€1.14 foil | |
 The Brothers' War Promos pbro #111s· 2022Promorare· Cardmarket €2.43 foil | rare | No non-foil printing | $3.05 | €2.43 foil | |
 Scars of Mirrodin som #73· 2010rare· Cardmarket €1.50 · €4.39 foil | rare | $2.80 | $21.55 | €1.50€4.39 foil |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices in USD for each printing and finish, via Scryfall. They are a guide, not an appraisal.
Where to buy Painful Quandary
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We also take part in the TCGplayer (via Impact) and eBay Partner Network affiliate programs. Links to TCGplayer, eBay and Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Cardmarket links are not affiliate links.
Card details
- First printed
- 2010
- Printings
- 7
- Mana value
- 5
- EDHREC rank
- #1,193 on EDHREC (Commander popularity)
- Artists
- David Palumbo, Whit Brachna
Rulings (2)
2011-01-01
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, Painful Quandary's ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it. It will resolve before the spell does.
2022-10-14
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, Painful Quandary's ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it. It will resolve before the spell does.
Browse more: Foundations · all sets · search cards