The Lord of Pain
$9.94
Legendary Creature — Human Assassin

Rakdos group slug that turns every player's first spell each turn into damage you aim, while shutting off opponents' life gain.
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The Lord of Pain is a 5/5 with menace, and your opponents can't gain life while it's out. Whenever any player casts their first spell each turn, you choose another target player and the Lord deals damage equal to that spell's mana value to them. So when an opponent casts a five-drop, someone else at the table takes five, and you decide who. Your own first spell each turn also hits an opponent. The deck adds burn, pingers and removal around that engine.
In the recorded games, much of the play was political. The Lord of Pain player spread damage around to avoid becoming the main target, and opponents sequenced their spells carefully to limit the triggers. Mask of Griselbrand gave the Lord lifelink, so its trigger damage also gained life. Roiling Vortex and Vial Smasher the Fierce added more chip damage, and Plague Wind or Damnation reset boards. Lightning Greaves protected it early. Tables with several life-gain decks tended to gang up on it. In some games repeated counterspells kept it from building any board.
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Videos
Commander gameplay videos featuring The Lord of Pain.
Our Signature Commander Decks - EDH Gameplay Ep 177
Cool New Commander Rules With Josh Lee Kwai | Shuffle Up & Play 103 | Magic: The Gathering Gameplay
I Hate your Deck #127 Amber Gristle v Zurgo v Lord of Pain v Dr Madison || Commander Gameplay MTG
Dieser Gast lehrt uns das Gruseln 🎃🍌 | Herumkommandiert #16 | EDH Commander [Deutsch]
WE TRY TO BEAT A $400 DRAGON DECK - Lord of Pain vs Zinnia vs Palladia vs Hakbal - Manasplaining #14
We Play Your Decks - Badly! - EDH Gameplay Ep 103
BRIAN KIBLER, IS THAT YOU?! Miirym v Clement v Jodah v The Lord of Pain | MTG Commander | EDH
5 Mana Commanders w/ @maldhound and @ZMainCharacter - EDH Gameplay Ep 101
Spreading the Pain! Chaotic Commander MTG EDH Gameplay
Unbelieveable Ending! | EDH w/Spice8rack & Ashleybits | Lord of Pain v Alesha v Omo v 10th Dr/Rose
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New Cards
Fresh cards from recent sets that players are experimenting with in The Lord of Pain decks.
High Synergy Cards
Cards that work exceptionally well with The Lord of Pain's abilities and overall game plan.
Basilisk Collar
Kederekt Parasite
Spiteful Visions
Razorkin Needlehead
Wound Reflection
Stormfist CrusaderTop Cards
The most popular and reliable cards that form the backbone of successful The Lord of Pain decks.
Basilisk Collar
Kederekt Parasite
Blasphemous Act
Rakdos Charm
Lightning Greaves
Chaos WarpGame Changers
Powerful cards that can single-handedly turn the tide of a game when resolved.
Orcish Bowmasters
Jeska's Will
Demonic Tutor
The One Ring
Ancient Tomb
Vampiric Tutor
Bolas's CitadelCreatures
Essential creatures that complement The Lord of Pain's strategy through synergy, utility, or raw power.
Razorkin Needlehead
Stormfist Crusader
Brash Taunter
Fate Unraveler
Gleeful Arsonist
Harsh Mentor
Scrawling Crawler
Blood Seeker
Rampaging Ferocidon
Massacre Wurm
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Star Athlete
Twinflame Tyrant
Nightshade Harvester
Barbflare Gremlin
Bloodthirsty Conqueror
Bloodletter of Aclazotz
Scytheclaw Raptor
Fear of Burning Alive
Unstoppable Slasher
Screaming Nemesis
Persistent Constrictor
Rug of Smothering
Combustible Gearhulk
Chandra's Incinerator
Sower of Discord
Fiendish Duo
Pain Distributor
Keen Duelist
Tectonic Giant
Archfiend of Despair
Blood Artist
Solemn Simulacrum
Orcish Bowmasters
Morbid Opportunist
Hexing Squelcher
Mayhem DevilInstants
Key instant-speed responses for protection, removal, and keeping The Lord of Pain safe.
Bedevil
Blood for the Blood God!
Blood Pact
Suspended Sentence
Infernal Grasp
Bolt Bend
Withering Torment
Curtains' Call
Tempt with Mayhem
Tibalt's Trickery
Dark Ritual
Deflecting Swat
Baleful Mastery
Untimely Malfunction
Delirium
Zoyowa's Justice
Price of Progress
Deadly Rollick
Risk Factor
Murder
Return the Favor
Kolaghan's Command
Snuff Out
Valakut Awakening
Imp's Mischief
Not Dead After All
Fell the Profane
Seething Song
Malakir Rebirth
Vampiric Tutor
Terminate
Redirect Lightning
Lightning Bolt
Unexpected Windfall
Abrade
Thrill of Possibility
Big ScoreSorceries
Important sorcery spells that advance The Lord of Pain's game plan and control the board.
Sadistic Shell Game
Prisoner's Dilemma
Grab the Prize
Sign in Blood
Decree of Pain
Disrupt Decorum
Bloodsoaked Insight
Exsanguinate
Wheel of Misfortune
Creative Technique
Toxic Deluge
Ensnared by the Mara
Blasphemous Edict
Damnation
Allure of the Unknown
Mob Verdict
Mutinous Massacre
Light Up the Stage
Scheming Symmetry
Deadly Tempest
Decorum Dissertation
Torment of Hailfire
Chandra's Ignition
Jeska's Will
Diabolic Tutor
Grim Tutor
Demonic Tutor
Wheel of Fortune
Read the Bones
Boltwave
Mana Geyser
Feed the Swarm
Vandalblast
Night's Whisper
Reanimate
Faithless LootingUtility Artifacts
Versatile artifacts that provide ongoing value, card selection, or strategic advantages.
Mask of Griselbrand
Howling Mine
Shadowspear
Whip of Erebos
Jet Medallion
Ruby Medallion
Crawlspace
Tempting Contract
Ankh of Mishra
Palantír of Orthanc
Resurrection Orb
Mithril Coat
Mjölnir, Hammer of Thor
Hithlain Rope
Swiftfoot Boots
Wayfarer's Bauble
The One Ring
Wishclaw Talisman
Bolas's CitadelEnchantments
Powerful enchantments that support The Lord of Pain's strategy and create lasting battlefield effects.
Spiteful Visions
Wound Reflection
Painful Quandary
Descent into Avernus
Fiery Emancipation
Exquisite Blood
Underworld Dreams
Spiked Corridor // Torture Pit
Manabarbs
Dictate of the Twin Gods
No Mercy
Mana Flare
Grievous Wound
City on Fire
Enchanter's Bane
Theater of Horrors
Polluted Bonds
Spellshock
The Rollercrusher Ride
Havoc Festival
Gratuitous Violence
Protection Racket
Bloodchief Ascension
Roiling Vortex
Parker Luck
Phyrexian Arena
Sulfuric Vortex
Curse of Opulence
Vampiric Link
Furnace of Rath
Maddening Hex
Powerbalance
Sanguine Bond
Wild Evocation
Share the Spoils
Citadel of Pain
Pain Magnification
Maximum Carnage
Captive Audience
The Meathook Massacre
Pain for All
Black Market Connections
Kaya's Ghostform
Bastion of RemembrancePlaneswalkers
Planeswalkers that work alongside The Lord of Pain to provide ongoing value and board presence.
Chandra, Awakened InfernoUtility Lands
Non-basic lands that offer additional utility beyond just mana production.
Witch's Clinic
Spinerock Knoll
Shivan Gorge
Leechridden Swamp
Temple of the False God
Maze of Ith
Cabal Coffers
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Reliquary Tower
Command Beacon
Castle Locthwain
Bojuka Bog
Ancient Tomb
Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
Rogue's PassageMana Artifacts
Artifacts focused on mana acceleration and color fixing for consistent gameplay.
Thought Vessel
Fellwar Stone
Mind Stone
Talisman of Indulgence
Rakdos Signet
Sol Ring
Victory Chimes
Séance Board
Arcane Signet
Worn Powerstone
Thran Dynamo
Coveted Jewel
Gilded Lotus
Cursed Mirror
Commander's Sphere
Charcoal Diamond
Fire DiamondLands
The mana base foundation for The Lord of Pain decks, ensuring smooth and reliable mana development.
Graven Cairns
Blackcleave Cliffs
Tainted Peak
Exotic Orchard
Canyon Slough
Shadowblood Ridge
Dragonskull Summit
Geothermal Bog
Temple of Malice
Bloodsoaked Insight
Blazemire Verge
Bloodfell Caves
Foreboding Ruins
Sulfurous Springs
Terramorphic Expanse
Smoldering Marsh
Ash Barrens
Evolving Wilds
Haunted Ridge
Command Tower
Luxury Suite
Reflecting Pool
Mountain
Swamp
Prismatic Vista
Valakut Awakening
Jagged Barrens
Fell the Profane
Bloodstained Mire
Malakir Rebirth
Myriad Landscape
Badlands
Blood Crypt
Blightstep Pathway
Mount Doom
Raucous Theater
Fabled Passage
Polluted Delta
Arid Mesa
Marsh Flats
Dark Fortress
Rakdos Carnarium
Path of AncestryThe Lord of Pain Deck Stats
Based on 7,128 The Lord of Pain decks.
| Mana value | Cards |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 17 |
| 3 | 15 |
| 4 | 11 |
| 5 | 7 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 7 | 2 |
| 8 | 1 |
| 9 | 1 |
- Creature 23
- Instant 10
- Sorcery 9
- Artifact 11
- Enchantment 10
- Land 36
| Card type | Cards |
|---|---|
| Creature | 23 |
| Instant | 10 |
| Sorcery | 9 |
| Artifact | 11 |
| Enchantment | 10 |
| Land | 36 |
Lands: 20 basic, 16 nonbasic
| Month | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 165 |
| 2024-11 | 210 |
| 2024-12 | 234 |
| 2025-01 | 334 |
| 2025-02 | 429 |
| 2025-03 | 450 |
| 2025-04 | 211 |
| 2025-05 | 287 |
| 2025-06 | 380 |
| 2025-07 | 451 |
| 2025-08 | 404 |
| 2025-09 | 408 |
| 2025-10 | 323 |
| 2025-11 | 403 |
| 2025-12 | 420 |
| 2026-01 | 402 |
| 2026-02 | 389 |
| 2026-03 | 471 |
| 2026-04 | 532 |
| 2026-05 | 431 |
| 2026-06 | 455 |
| 2026-07 | 459 |
| 2026-08 | 514 |
| 2026-09 | 465 |
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Yurlok of Scorch Thrash
Jiwari, the Earth Aflame
Inferno of the Star Mounts
Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
Sengir, the Dark Baron // Vial Smasher the Fierce
Valki, God of Lies
Obosh, the Preypiercer
Jeska, Thrice Reborn // Vial Smasher the Fierce
Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might
Viconia, Drow Apostate // Guild Artisan
Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin
Kuja, Genome Sorcerer
Abaddon the Despoiler
Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar // Vial Smasher the Fierce
Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools // Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith
Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools // Vial Smasher the Fierce
Tor Wauki the Younger
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Black Waltz No. 3
Solphim, Mayhem Dominus
Krark, the Thumbless // Miara, Thorn of the Glade
Krark, the Thumbless // Nadier, Agent of the Duskenel
Krark, the Thumbless // Nocturno of Myra's Marvels
Krark, the Thumbless // Sengir, the Dark Baron
Krark, the Thumbless // Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools
Krark, the Thumbless // Tormod, the Desecrator
Krark, the Thumbless // Vial Smasher the Fierce
Tokka & Rahzar, Terrible Twos
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