Painful Quandary
Painful Quandary Price Summary
As of Aug 9, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Painful Quandary is $1.71 (BRO #111, Foil), and the most expensive is $20.26 (SOM #73, Foil). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $1.87, up 4.5% over 7 days, up 53.3% over 30 days, up 41.7% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $2.29 (2026).
Painful Quandary Printings & Prices
Painful Quandary has 7 tracked printings across 5 sets, in nonfoil and foil finishes, including prerelease, promo pack and extended art treatments.
Sell Painful Quandary: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $8.00 cash for SOM #73 (Foil); the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 50% (wide).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Kingdom | SOM #73 | Foil | $8.00 | $15.99 | 50% |
| Card Kingdom | BRO #331 | Foil | $3.20 | $7.99 | 60% |
| CoolStuffInc | BRO #331 | Foil | $3.00 | — | — |
| CoolStuffInc | SOM #73 | Foil | $2.50 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | PBRO #111p | Nonfoil | $2.00 | $3.99 | 50% |
| Card Kingdom | SOM #73 | Nonfoil | $1.30 | $2.79 | 53% |
| Card Kingdom | BRO #111 | Nonfoil | $1.15 | $2.29 | 50% |
| Card Kingdom | PBRO #111p | Foil | $0.90 | $2.99 | 70% |
| Card Kingdom | BRO #331 | Nonfoil | $0.90 | $3.49 | 74% |
| CoolStuffInc | BRO #331 | Nonfoil | $0.75 | — | — |
Painful Quandary Rules Text & Legality
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, that player loses 5 life unless they discard a card.
Painful Quandary is legal in Standard, Pioneer, Modern, Legacy and Commander, and not legal in Pauper.
Painful Quandary Rulings
- Jan 1, 2011 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.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Painful Quandary has been reprinted 12 times. The Foundations reprint cut the price 75% in 30 days.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment | Price before | Day 1 | 30 days | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDN #179 | 2024-11-15 | Rare | Standard | $1.02 | $0.44 | $0.63 | $0.61 |
| PFDN #179s | 2024-11-15 | Rare | Prerelease | $0.43 | $1.15 | $0.91 | $0.84 |
| FDN #179 | 2024-11-15 | Rare | Standard | $1.99 | $0.27 | $0.49 | $0.96 |
| BRO #331 | 2022-11-18 | Rare | Extended Art | — | — | — | — |
| BRO #331 | 2022-11-18 | Rare | Extended Art | — | — | — | — |
| PBRO #111s | 2022-11-18 | Rare | Prerelease | — | — | — | — |
| BRO #111 | 2022-11-18 | Rare | Standard | — | — | — | — |
| BRO #111 | 2022-11-18 | Rare | Standard | — | — | — | — |
| PBRO #111p | 2022-11-18 | Rare | Promo Pack | — | — | — | — |
| PBRO #111p | 2022-11-18 | Rare | Promo Pack | — | — | — | — |
FDN #179 
PFDN #179s 
BRO #331 
PBRO #111s Showing the 10 most recent of 12 printings.
Painful Quandary in Commander
Painful Quandary is the #1,185 most-played card on EDHREC, up 8 places over the last 30 days.
Painful Quandary FAQ
How much is Painful Quandary worth?
Painful Quandary is worth about $1.87 for its cheapest playable printing as of Aug 9, 2026. Prices range from $1.87 to $20.26 across 7 tracked printings.
Is Painful Quandary legal in Commander?
Yes — Painful Quandary is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Standard, Pioneer, Modern and Legacy.
Has Painful Quandary been reprinted?
Yes — Painful Quandary has been reprinted 12 times, with 7 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Painful Quandary cheap?
Painful Quandary trades at about $1.87 — 12 reprints keep supply plentiful.