Sorcery, 4B (5)
Common
Essence Drain deals 3 damage to target creature or player and you gain 3 life.
Mephidross claims all life within it. What cannot be twisted is absorbed.
Illus. Tony Szczudlo

7/1/2012: If the target creature or player is an illegal target when Essence Drain tries to resolve, it will be countered and none of its effects will happen. You won't gain 3 life.
Legal in Vintage (Type 1)
Legal in Legacy (Type 1.5)
Legal in Extended (Type 1.X)
Legal in Standard (Type 2)
Legal in Classic (MTGO)
Legal in Commander
Legal in Modern