Archfiend of Despair
Archfiend of Despair Price Summary
As of Aug 6, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Archfiend of Despair is $23.06 (BBD #44), and the most expensive is $42.06 (CMM #503, Inverted, Etched). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $23.40, up 0.8% over 7 days, up 5.1% over 30 days, up 9.6% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $24.44 (2026).
Archfiend of Despair Printings & Prices
Archfiend of Despair has 3 tracked printings across 2 sets, in nonfoil, foil and etched finishes, including inverted treatments.
Sell Archfiend of Despair: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $22.50 cash for BBD #44 (Foil); the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 50% (wide).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| starcitygames | BBD #44 | Foil | $25.00 | — | — |
| starcitygames | CMM #503 | Etched | $25.00 | — | — |
| CoolStuffInc | CMM #503 | Etched | $23.00 | — | — |
| CoolStuffInc | BBD #44 | Foil | $23.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | BBD #44 | Foil | $22.50 | $44.99 | 50% |
| starcitygames | CMM #137 | Foil | $20.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | BBD #44 | Nonfoil | $18.50 | $32.99 | 44% |
| Card Kingdom | CMM #137 | Nonfoil | $18.50 | $32.99 | 44% |
| Card Kingdom | CMM #503 | Etched | $18.00 | $44.99 | 60% |
| CoolStuffInc | BBD #44 | Nonfoil | $16.00 | — | — |
Archfiend of Despair Rules Text & Legality
Flying
Your opponents can't gain life.
At the beginning of each end step, each opponent loses life equal to the life that player lost this turn. (Damage causes loss of life.)
Archfiend of Despair is legal in Legacy and Commander, and not legal in Standard, Pioneer, Modern and Pauper.
Archfiend of Despair Rulings
- Jun 8, 2018 Archfiend of Despair’s last ability counts only how much life was lost. It doesn’t care whether a player also gained life.
- Jun 8, 2018 In a Two-Headed Giant game, damage and life loss happen to each player individually. If each player on a team is dealt 2 damage, each of those players loses 2 life and the team’s life total goes down by 4. When Archfiend of Despair’s ability resolves, each of those players again loses 2 life and the team’s life total goes down again by 4; they don’t each lose 4 life.
- Jun 8, 2018 The amount of life to lose is determined only as Archfiend of Despair’s triggered ability resolves. For example, if you control two of them and an opponent lost 3 life earlier in the turn, the first ability to resolve would have that player lose 3 life, and the second would have that player lose 6 life.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Archfiend of Despair has been reprinted 5 times.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMM #137 | 2023-08-04 | Mythic | Standard |
| CMM #137 | 2023-08-04 | Mythic | Standard |
| CMM #503 | 2023-08-04 | Mythic | Inverted |
| BBD #44 | 2018-06-08 | Mythic | Standard |
| BBD #44 | 2018-06-08 | Mythic | Standard |
CMM #137 
BBD #44 Archfiend of Despair in Commander
Archfiend of Despair is the #2,740 most-played card on EDHREC, down 6 places over the last 30 days.
Archfiend of Despair FAQ
How much is Archfiend of Despair worth?
Archfiend of Despair is worth about $23.40 for its cheapest playable printing as of Aug 6, 2026. Prices range from $23.06 to $42.06 across 3 tracked printings.
Is Archfiend of Despair legal in Commander?
Yes — Archfiend of Despair is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Legacy.
Has Archfiend of Despair been reprinted?
Yes — Archfiend of Despair has been reprinted 5 times, with 3 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Archfiend of Despair expensive?
Archfiend of Despair holds a $23.40 price because even with 5 reprints, demand keeps pace with supply.