Actually, you don't gain life since the target is no longer there when it resolves
Oracle ruling"If the target permanent or player is an illegal target when Essence Drain tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t gain 3 life. "
UU
Plains
Recast the Giant Scorpion
Done
SealTeamBill: 20
Hand: 8
Battlefield:
(U) island
(T) Forest
(TT) Moutain x2
(T) Plain
(T) Swamp
(U) Merfolk of the Pearl Trident (U)(1/1) box text
(U) Deadly Recluse (G)(1/2)(Reach and deathtouch)
(U) Torch Fiend (R)(2/1)(tap 1r sacrifice the Torch Fiend destroy target artifact)
(S) Fire Elemental (R)(5/4) box text
Graveyard:Smelt, Negate, essence drain
Exile:
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Mooseman: 19
Hand: 8
Battlefield:
(UT) Plains x2
(U) Swamp
(T) Island
(T) Mountain
(U) Forest
(U) Dragonskull Summit (L,Dragonskull Summit ETB tapped unless you control a Swamp or a Mountain. T: Add Black or Red.)
(S) Giant Scorpion (B) (1/3,Deathtouch)
(U) Canyon Minotaur (R) (3/3,)
(U) Fire Elemental (R)(5/4)
Graveyard:Ring of Evos Isle, Captain's Call, Giant Scorpion
Exile: