---
name: "Essence Drain"
mana_cost: "{4}{B}"
cmc: 5
type_line: "Sorcery"
colors: ["B"]
color_identity: ["B"]
keywords: []
set: "DST"
set_name: "Darksteel"
collector_number: "43"
rarity: "common"
artist: "Tony Szczudlo"
oracle_id: "4bf5402f-7bba-4c0c-aebd-1b231768f2b2"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/essence-drain-dst"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Essence Drain
- **Mana Cost:** `{4}{B}` (CMC: 5)
- **Type:** Sorcery

## Oracle Text
Essence Drain deals 3 damage to any target and you gain 3 life.

> *Mephidross s'empare de toute la vie qui le pénètre. Ce qu'il ne peut corrompre, il l'absorbe.*

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Drain Life](/printing/drain-life-cei.md) — Sorcery
2. [Essence Extraction](/printing/essence-extraction-klr.md) — Instant
3. [Agonizing Syphon](/printing/agonizing-syphon-m20.md) — Sorcery
4. [Sorin's Thirst](/printing/sorins-thirst-m12.md) — Instant
5. [Sovereign's Bite](/printing/sovereigns-bite-m19.md) — Sorcery
6. [Dark Nourishment](/printing/dark-nourishment-xln.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Darksteel (DST) #43
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Artist:** Tony Szczudlo
- **Total Printings:** 30 across all historical editions

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