Consumed by Greed: Print Distribution and Rarity Deep Dive

Consumed by Greed – Magic: The Gathering card art from Bloomburrow set

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Consumed by Greed: Print Distribution and Rarity Deep Dive

Across Magic: The Gathering’s vast history, the dance between rarity, print runs, and card performance has always fascinated players and collectors alike. The uncommon instant Consumed by Greed, from the Bloomburrow expansion (BLB), is a prime case study in how a tightly worded effect, a dual-natured “Gift” mechanic, and a crisp black mana cost can leave a footprint that extends beyond a single drafting night. 🧙‍♂️🔥 In BLB, this card sits at uncommon rarity, a spot that often functions as the fulcrum for strategic archetypes that hinge on precise timing and graveyard synergies. Its nonfoil and foil printings illustrate how even a modest rarity can support both casual play and modern-legal formats with a dash of collectability. 💎

Rarity in MTG isn’t just about how often a card appears in a booster pack—it’s about how it ages, how it’s valued by markets, and how players weave it into decks. Uncommons like Consumed by Greed typically appear with the same odds as other uncommons in their set, yet their practical impact can diverge dramatically in constructed play. The card’s mana cost of {1}{B}{B} and its instant-speed timing create a flexible window for control or midrange strategies, especially when set against the backdrop of black’s resilient removal and graveyard interactions. The availability of both foil and nonfoil versions broadens accessibility for players who want that tactile distinction in their collection. In the current price snapshot, nonfoil sits around a modest $0.13 with foil edging higher at about $0.31, signaling a healthy but approachable collectible footprint. ⚔️

Printing realities for uncommon targets

Booster distribution: As an uncommon in a standard booster, it typically appears alongside other uncommons in BLB, sharing the slot with removal, disruption, or utility options that complement its gift-and-sacrifice dynamic.
Foil vs. nonfoil dynamics: Foil versions are rarer in practice and tend to command a premium relative to nonfoil copies, often appealing to players who enjoy a sparkling finish or who build showcases that highlight the gift mechanic in a dramatic way.
Market signals: The real-world prices reflect not just rarity, but demand in specific formats (Modern, Pioneer, EDH) and the card’s potential for graveyard recursion. The option to return a creature card from your graveyard to your hand when the gift is promised adds a layer of strategic timing that can influence its perceived value in mid-to-late game scenarios. 🔥
Print status: The card is listed as not reprinted in the immediate sense, which can buoy long-tail value for fans hoping BLB will resist a reprint in the near term. This stability—while never guaranteed—helps explain why some uncommons maintain a foothold in casual and EDH play even as newer sets arrive. 💎

From a design perspective, the card’s rarity is a natural fit for a set that explores the quirky, character-rich corners of the Bloomburrow world. The Gift keyword isn’t just flavor—it creates a playful negotiation with opponents: you offer a “gift,” they draw a card, and then the spell slams down a targeted creature sacrifice. If you’ve promised the gift, the spell’s final clause rails you back with graveyard recursion, providing a last-minute swing in resources. That layered text makes the card feel both mischievous and potent, a hallmark of mechanical design that ages well in both limited and constructed contexts. 🎨

Strategic lens: how to deploy this card in the wild

In casual play, Consumed by Greed shines when you already control the pace and want to poke at an opponent’s board state while maintaining graveyard leverage. The sacrifice effect forces your foe to answer a highest-power creature, which can be punishing in strategies that rely on big power threats or token swarms. The optional gift mechanic invites a delicate trade-off: granting the opponent a card draw before the rest of the spell resolves can tilt a momentary advantage your opponent’s way, but the payoff is a delayed, guaranteed return if you promised the gift. That subtle negotiation is where the card earns its flavor points and strategic depth. ⚔️

In EDH/Commander circles, the card’s low mana cost and flexible outcome give it a surprising breadth of application. It can disrupt ramp lines by forcing the most dangerous creature to snap off, while the graveyard recurrence can fuel longer games where each mana investment compounds—especially in colors that lean into recursion and resource management. The black color identity underlines a theme of cost management and calculated risk, a vibe many players associate with classic edge-lord gameplay. For deckbuilders, the key is to pair this spell with steal, reanimation, or self-muel strategies that maximize value from each promise and payoff. 🧙‍♂️

Art, lore, and the collector’s eye

The Bloomburrow art by Mathias Kollros captures a moody, slightly sly moment that fits black’s appetite for calculated risks. The card’s frame and typography align with the 2015-era aesthetic, but the set’s Bloomburrow flavor breathes a contemporary snarl into the narrative—perfect for players who enjoy lore-rich environments and art that rewards close study. Collectors often chase foil variants for their display appeal, and the rarity tier—uncommon—can still offer a meaningful upgrade path for those who want a standout piece without committing to high-priced rares or mythics. 🎲

Meanwhile, the broader print ecosystem invites players to consider the card as a touchstone for discussing how print runs impact the MTG marketplace. Printing decisions, foil distribution, and the timing of set releases all influence not just sticker-price value but the cultural footprint a card leaves within a community that loves to debate “how many copies?” and “which edition?” over a game night soundtrack. 🔥

Product spotlight and proximity to the game desk

While you’re curating your MTG space, you may want a desk setup that keeps pace with your growing collection. A clean, personalized desk mat can be the difference between a frustrating session and a glowing win streak. If you’re hunting a compact, stylish pad that complements a tabletop aura, consider pairing your play area with the Rectangular Gaming Mouse Pad - Personalized Desk Mat 1.58 mm. It’s a practical companion to long nights of drafting, testing, and trading ideas—exactly the kind of setup that makes a card like Consumed by Greed feel right at home in your battlefield, complete with a touch of flair. 🧙‍♂️🎨

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To recap, the print distribution story of Consumed by Greed reveals how a carefully balanced uncommon can become a reliable, flavorful piece in both drafting and constructed formats. Its cost, foil options, and graveyard recursion all contribute to its staying power in competitive play and collector circles alike. And as we continue to chase the best combos, artful trades, and memorable moments at the table, cards like this remind us why we fell in love with the game in the first place—one clever moment at a time. 💎⚔️

Rectangular Gaming Mouse Pad - Personalized Desk Mat 1.58 mm