---
name: "Cruel Bargain"
mana_cost: "{B}{B}{B}"
cmc: 3
type_line: "Sorcery"
colors: ["B"]
color_identity: ["B"]
keywords: []
set: "VMA"
set_name: "Vintage Masters"
collector_number: "111"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Adrian Smith"
oracle_id: "dcf105c1-d37b-4e92-a420-9872a2187764"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/cruel-bargain-vma"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Cruel Bargain
- **Mana Cost:** `{B}{B}{B}` (CMC: 3)
- **Type:** Sorcery

## Oracle Text
Draw four cards. You lose half your life, rounded up.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Infernal Contract](/printing/infernal-contract-7ed.md) — Sorcery
2. [Ancient Craving](/printing/ancient-craving-a25.md) — Sorcery
3. [Ambition's Cost](/printing/ambitions-cost-8ed.md) — Sorcery
4. [Damnable Pact](/printing/damnable-pact-c17.md) — Sorcery
5. [Bad Deal](/printing/bad-deal-m21.md) — Sorcery
6. [Dark Bargain](/printing/dark-bargain-iko.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Vintage Masters (VMA) #111
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Adrian Smith
- **Total Printings:** 8 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `not_legal` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `legal`