Tainted Aether
Tainted Aether Price Summary
As of Aug 1, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Tainted Aether is $8.18 (7ED #167), and the most expensive is $150.73 (7ED #167★, Foil). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $8.18, up 0.4% over 7 days, up 2.3% over 30 days, up 5.4% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $17.01 (2026).
Tainted Aether Printings & Prices
Tainted Aether has 3 tracked printings across 2 sets, in nonfoil and foil finishes.
Sell Tainted Aether: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $3.80 cash for USG #161; the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 49% (wide).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoolStuffInc | USG #161 | Nonfoil | $4.50 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | USG #161 | Nonfoil | $3.80 | $7.49 | 49% |
| CoolStuffInc | 7ED #167 | Nonfoil | $3.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | 7ED #167 | Nonfoil | $2.30 | $5.49 | 58% |
Tainted Aether Rules Text & Legality
Whenever a creature enters, its controller sacrifices a creature or land of their choice.
Tainted Aether is legal in Legacy and Commander, and not legal in Standard, Pioneer, Modern and Pauper.
Tainted Aether Rulings
- Oct 4, 2004 If more than one of these is on the battlefield, the controller sacrifices a creature for each one of these.
- Oct 4, 2004 If the controller has no other lands or creatures on the battlefield, they must sacrifice the creature that just entered.
- Oct 4, 2004 If the creature changes controllers before this ability resolves, its new controller has to sacrifice something.
- Oct 4, 2004 Tainted Aether's controller is the one that controls its triggered ability, but the controller of the creature that entered chooses what creature they sacrifice during resolution.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Tainted Aether has been reprinted 3 times.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7ED #167★ | 2001-04-11 | Rare | Standard |
| 7ED #167 | 2001-04-11 | Rare | Standard |
| USG #161 | 1998-10-12 | Rare | Standard |
7ED #167★ 
USG #161 Tainted Aether in Commander
Tainted Aether is the #12,797 most-played card on EDHREC, down 113 places over the last 30 days.
Tainted Aether FAQ
How much is Tainted Aether worth?
Tainted Aether is worth about $8.18 for its cheapest playable printing as of Aug 1, 2026. Prices range from $8.18 to $150.73 across 3 tracked printings.
Is Tainted Aether legal in Commander?
Yes — Tainted Aether is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Legacy.
Has Tainted Aether been reprinted?
Yes — Tainted Aether has been reprinted 3 times, with 3 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Tainted Aether expensive?
Tainted Aether trades at $8.18 on printing supply and steady demand.