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Decktrove
Balance
LEA · Limited Edition Alpha #3 · Rare · released 1993-08-05
{1}{W}
Sorcery
Each player chooses a number of lands they control equal to the number of lands controlled by the player who controls the fewest, then sacrifices the rest. Players discard cards and sacrifice creatures the same way.
Balance is a rare white sorcery from Limited Edition Alpha (1993). It has been printed 27 times across 21 sets, from 1993 to 2024. Recent market prices range from $0.81 to $71.94 depending on printing and finish.
Format legality
Where you can play Balance in sanctioned and popular formats.
StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernNot legal
LegacyBanned
VintageRestricted
CommanderBanned
PauperNot legal
OathbreakerBanned
HistoricNot legal
BrawlNot legal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
All printings (27)
Prices range from $0.81 to $71.94 across finishes. Cheapest printing: The List at $0.81.
| Set | No. | Rarity | Price | Foil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Edition Alpha This page | 3 | Rare | — | — |
| Limited Edition Beta | 3 | Rare | — | — |
| Unlimited Edition | 3 | Rare | $71.94 | — |
| Intl. Collectors' Edition | 3 | Rare | — | — |
| Collectors' Edition | 3 | Rare | $28.19 | — |
| Foreign Black Border | 3 | Rare | $29.97 | — |
| Revised Edition | 3 | Rare | $4.83 | — |
| Summer Magic / Edgar | 3 | Rare | — | — |
| Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 6 | Rare | $16.99 | — |
| Fourth Edition | 6 | Rare | $2.90 | — |
| Pro Tour Collector Set | shr6 | Rare | — | — |
| Pro Tour Collector Set | pp6 | Rare | — | — |
| Pro Tour Collector Set | ml6 | Rare | $3.98 | — |
| Pro Tour Collector Set | mj6 | Rare | — | — |
| Pro Tour Collector Set | et6 | Rare | $2.35 | — |
| Pro Tour Collector Set | bl6 | Rare | $2.49 | — |
| Oversized League Prizes | 17 | Rare | — | — |
| Judge Gift Cards 2004 | 2 | Rare | — | $33.26 |
| From the Vault: Exiled | 1 | Mythic | — | $15.84 |
| Magic Online Promos | 36278 | Rare | — | — |
| Masters Edition IV | 6 | Rare | — | — |
| Vintage Masters | 14 | Mythic | — | — |
| Eternal Masters | 2 | Mythic | $2.03 | $6.31 |
| Secret Lair Drop | 173 | Mythic | $3.80 | $4.85 |
| 30th Anniversary Edition | 300 | Rare | — | — |
| 30th Anniversary Edition | 3 | Rare | — | — |
| The List | EMA-2 | Mythic | $0.81 | — |
More from Limited Edition Alpha
Rulings
Official rulings from Wizards of the Coast (3).
- 2016-06-08First the player whose turn it is chooses which lands (if any) to keep, then each other player in turn order does the same. Each player will know the choices made by the players who chose before them. All of the unchosen lands are then sacrificed simultaneously. Then the process is repeated for cards in hand, except that no cards are revealed until all players have chosen what to discard, at which point those cards are all discarded simultaneously. Lastly, the process is repeated for creatures, and players will again know earlier choices made when deciding what to sacrifice. All of the unchosen creatures are then sacrificed simultaneously.
- 2016-06-08Balance doesn't have targets, so permanents that can't be targeted, such as a creature with shroud or protection from white, are valid choices to be sacrificed.
- 2016-06-08Each type of object is counted during the corresponding part of the process. Cards in hand are counted after lands have been sacrificed, and creatures on the battlefield are counted after cards have been discarded. Thus, a land creature sacrificed to the first part of the spell would not be counted when determining how many creatures are on the battlefield for the last part.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balance legal in Commander?
No — Balance is banned in Commander.
What formats is Balance legal in?
Balance is not currently legal in any major constructed format.
How many times has Balance been printed?
Balance has been printed 27 times across 21 sets, from 1993 to 2024.
What is the cheapest printing of Balance?
The cheapest printing is The List (#EMA-2) at about $0.81.
Who illustrated Balance?
This printing of Balance was illustrated by Mark Poole.