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Decktrove
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
SLZ · The Zeta Set #285 · Common · released 2026-09-02
{3}{B}{B}
Creature — Zombie
When this creature enters, each opponent loses X life, where X is your devotion to black. You gain life equal to the life lost this way. (Each {B} in the mana costs of permanents you control counts toward your devotion to black.)
Gray Merchant of Asphodel is a common black creature from The Zeta Set (2026). It has been printed 13 times across 9 sets, from 2013 to 2026. Recent market prices range from $1.00 to $85.42 depending on printing and finish. It is legal in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Commander, Pauper, Oathbreaker, Historic and Brawl.
Format legality
Where you can play Gray Merchant of Asphodel in sanctioned and popular formats.
StandardNot legal
PioneerLegal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperLegal
OathbreakerLegal
HistoricLegal
BrawlLegal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
All printings (13)
Prices range from $1.00 to $85.42 across finishes. Cheapest printing: Theros at $1.00.
| Set | No. | Rarity | Price | Foil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theros | 89 | Common | $1.00 | $6.95 |
| Commander 2014 | 146 | Common | $1.18 | — |
| The List | C14-146 | Common | $1.16 | — |
| Theros Beyond Death | 355 | Uncommon | $7.99 | $10.56 |
| Theros Beyond Death | 99 | Uncommon | $1.02 | $3.27 |
| Time Spiral Remastered | 323 | Special | $5.72 | $85.42 |
| Starter Commander Decks | 80 | Uncommon | $2.23 | — |
| Duskmourn: House of Horror Commander | 142 | Uncommon | $5.09 | — |
| Secret Lair Countdown | 34 | Rare | — | $82.10 |
| Secret Lair Countdown | 7 | Rare | $8.21 | $15.20 |
| The Zeta Set This page | 285 | Common | — | — |
| The Zeta Set | 164 | Common | — | — |
| The Zeta Set | 43 | Common | — | — |
Rulings
Official rulings from Wizards of the Coast (6).
- 2021-03-19The amount of life you gain is the total amount of life lost, not simply the value of X.
- 2020-01-24Hybrid mana symbols, monocolored hybrid mana symbols, and Phyrexian mana symbols do count toward your devotion to their color(s).
- 2020-01-24Colorless and generic mana symbols ({C}, {0}, {1}, {2}, {X}, and so on) in mana costs of permanents you control don't count toward your devotion to any color.
- 2020-01-24Mana symbols in the text boxes of permanents you control don't count toward your devotion to any color.
- 2020-01-24If an activated ability or triggered ability has an effect that depends on your devotion to a color, you count the number of mana symbols of that color among the mana costs of permanents you control as the ability resolves. The permanent with that ability will be counted if it's still on the battlefield at that time.
- 2020-01-24If you put an Aura on an opponent's permanent, you still control the Aura, and mana symbols in its mana cost count towards your devotion.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gray Merchant of Asphodel legal in Commander?
Yes — Gray Merchant of Asphodel is legal in Commander (EDH).
What formats is Gray Merchant of Asphodel legal in?
Gray Merchant of Asphodel is legal in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Commander, Pauper, Oathbreaker, Historic and Brawl.
How many times has Gray Merchant of Asphodel been printed?
Gray Merchant of Asphodel has been printed 13 times across 9 sets, from 2013 to 2026.
What is the cheapest printing of Gray Merchant of Asphodel?
The cheapest printing is Theros (#89) at about $1.00.
Who illustrated Gray Merchant of Asphodel?
This printing of Gray Merchant of Asphodel was illustrated by MSCHF.