Desperate Measures
TDMTarkir: Dragonstorm/#78/2025Uncommon
Colour IDMV 1
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$0.49
Cardmarket€0.12
ManaPool$0.15
TCGplayer$0.23
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.05
MTGO (Cardhoarder)
retail$0.03 tix
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $0.49High $0.49Low $0.35▲ 40.0%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$0.23TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▼ 4.2%30d▲ 4.5%90d▼ 23.3%
90d high
$0.32
90d low
$0.20
Paper printings priced
1
Currently 1st
Cheapest paper printing
$0.23
Tarkir: Dragonstorm
- Up 4.5% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Currently 28% below its 90 day high of $0.32.
- Foil copies of this printing carry a 22% premium over nonfoil.
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
Collect
Play
Compare printings (1 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Instant
Target creature gets +1/-1 until end of turn. When it dies under your control this turn, draw two cards.
Card capabilities
Card drawInstant
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Rulings (2)
wotc4 Apr 2025
As long as you control it, you will get to draw two cards when the target creature goes to the graveyard, regardless of whether it died due to having 0 toughness or something else.
wotc4 Apr 2025
If the creature is no longer a creature at the time it goes to the graveyard, you will still draw two cards if you controlled it at that time.
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Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
About this card
Desperate Measures
Desperate Measures is an Instant, with mana cost {B} (mana value 1).
Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: legal, Standard: legal, Pioneer: legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: not_legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $0.23 (up 4.5% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Desperate Measures FAQ
How much is Desperate Measures worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Desperate Measures is $0.23. It is up 4.5% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $0.20 to $0.32.
What is the cheapest printing of Desperate Measures?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Tarkir: Dragonstorm at $0.23 on TCGplayer.
What set was Desperate Measures first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from TDM #78, released 2025-04-11.
Is there a foil version of Desperate Measures?
Yes. On this printing, foil copies trade at $0.28 versus $0.23 for nonfoil, which is 22% more expensive on TCGplayer.
Is Desperate Measures legal in Commander?
Yes, Desperate Measures is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Desperate Measures legal in Modern?
Yes, Desperate Measures is currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Desperate Measures legal in Standard?
Yes, Desperate Measures is currently legal in Standard per Scryfall's legality feed.
What does Desperate Measures do?
Desperate Measures is an Instant with mana cost {B}. Its Oracle text reads: "Target creature gets +1/-1 until end of turn. When it dies under your control this turn, draw two cards.".