If you think Painful Quandary is bad, just imagine how bad it would be for there to be more than one on the field.
"Oh, you want to cast a spell? Discard 4 or take 5 for each one you don't discard."
Posted By:
Diachronos
(9/26/2010 10:06:01 AM)
This is powerful in a B/U control deck. Notice how Painful Quandary only cares when an opponent casts a spell... I think I will counter that spell that you paid 5 life for. It effectively slows them down to a snails pace, all you really have to worry about is what is currently on the field.
Posted By:
A0602
(12/16/2010 4:51:38 PM)
I wouldn't put this card in the mana expensive category. I would say 5 mana is the threshold of the fair cost/expensive cost line. However, yes, this card most likely won't dig you out of a hole if you're in one.
This is a picturesque example of an "I need to be dealt with pretty soon" permanent.
Posted By:
Enchantment_Removal
(12/27/2010 5:27:57 PM)
Black is getting ridiculously powerful these days. It makes me, a Red player, both jealous and hopeful that White gets more love in the next set.
Posted By:
DacenOctavio
(1/16/2011 11:17:28 PM)
was running my black blue support deck (drawing cards with spelbooks but slowing killing theopponents). it was a 6 person game(3v3) but with two headed giant type rules. my 2 teammates defended me while i brought out 4fonts, 4howling mines, 2 spellbooks, a jin-gitaxias(from the prerelease sealed event) then i brought out some gilded lotus. next turn i played 4 liana's caress and 4 megrims. turn after, played 3 underworld dreams, 2 psychosis crawlers then 4 painful quandrys. i also had 3 ivory towers on the field for life gain and a darksteel forge. this is a rediculously Overpowered support deck. first stragety is help my teammates draw cards and keep them(it was a hive-mind game where teammates shared abilities and effects) then make it impossible for the opponents to win in anyway(they lose life for all cards drawn, spells cast, and discarded while wegain extrem amounts of life) i say 5/5 if used in the right decks. haha
Posted By:
TotalDomination
(5/9/2011 9:15:09 PM)
This card is painful. It is a powerful card, in my opinion. I haven't used it. I don't see how this doesn't cause serious pain...
Posted By:
Multihunter
(7/12/2011 4:32:01 AM)
This is a phenominal card, when used properly.
It would be best suited for a U/B discard/control deck. Make them draw, then dare them to discard or play anything. a simple and effective grid-lock on their play.
As may have stated, this card would go very well with Liliana's Caress or Megrim , especially if you can get multiples of them out.
Just my two cents.
Posted By:
Captain_StarFleet
(11/30/2011 10:32:21 AM)
This is a frightening card; I'm surprised no one has put it in a good Standard deck yet. It produces card advantage as long as it resolves, and if your opponent doesn't have an immediate answer, it can turn the game into a living nightmare for them. As long as your opponent still needs to cast spells to win - and that should be a given if you're playing control - then this card will quickly drain all their resources, allowing you to dispose of them at your leisure.
At its very worst (e.g. when your opponent is holding a Naturalize or an Oblivion Ring), Painful Quandary is either a Mind Rot for an extra 
or a Lava Axe with Pain attached for free.
At its very best, though, it is those things...over and over and over again. It will wreck your opponent's hand and/or life total. Aggro decks will simply shut down, since they can't... (see all)
Posted By:
Ragamander
(12/15/2011 3:00:09 PM)
I love this card, especially when it's played properly.. "Sorry Susan, you can't choose to discard when you don't have any cards in hand.." :) << Is what makes this card great.
Posted By:
Silence9
(2/21/2012 7:21:13 AM)
Does painful quandry's ability trigger even when spells are cast from graveyards with flashback? Or would my Chancellor of the Spires playing a card from my opponent's graveyard cause me to discard 2 cards from my hand and or loose 10 life?
Posted By:
Krush_Chameleon
(3/6/2012 10:52:19 AM)