Curse of Exhaustion MTG Card


It strategically limits opponents to one spell per turn, effectively disrupting multiple-spell strategies. While non-instant, timing its play can surprise opponents and shift game momentum. Removing it requires targeted enchantment disruption, tipping its favor in controlled matchups.
Curse of Exhaustion - Dark Ascension
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura Curse
Abilities Enchant
Released2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameDark Ascension
Set codeDKA
Number5
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySlawomir Maniak

Text of card

Enchant player Enchanted player can't cast more than one spell each turn.

"I do believe your heresy will prove more difficult now that you have more pressing concerns." —Bishop Argust


Cards like Curse of Exhaustion

Curse of Exhaustion is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering, presenting a strategic advantage by limiting opponents to just one spell per turn. This card is reminiscent of the older enchantment Rule of Law, which applies the same spell limit to all players, ensuring an even playing field. However, Curse of Exhaustion specifically targets a single opponent, potentially skewing the balance of power.

Eidolon of Rhetoric is another card that shares this ability by enforcing the one-spell rule as an enchantment creature. Although Eidolon represents a body on the board that could be useful for defense, its limitation to affecting all players contrasts with Curse of Exhaustion’s selective hindrance. On the flip side, Possibility Storm is an enchantment that doesn’t restrict spell casting directly but creates a chaotic environment where the first spell cast is traded for a random card from the player’s library – a vastly different but equally disruptive effect.

Assessing these mechanics, Curse of Exhaustion holds a significant position that combines control over opponents’ plays without hindering one’s own strategy, offering a control dynamic that can alter the course of a game.

Rule of Law - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Rhetoric - MTG Card versions
Possibility Storm - MTG Card versions
Rule of Law - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Rhetoric - MTG Card versions
Possibility Storm - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Curse of Exhaustion by color, type and mana cost

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Castle - MTG Card versions
Karma - MTG Card versions
Conversion - MTG Card versions
Angelic Voices - MTG Card versions
Seeker - MTG Card versions
Drought - MTG Card versions
Justice - MTG Card versions
Divine Transformation - MTG Card versions
Field of Souls - MTG Card versions
Light of Day - MTG Card versions
Opal Titan - MTG Card versions
Ivory Mask - MTG Card versions
Parallax Wave - MTG Card versions
Worship - MTG Card versions
Diversionary Tactics - MTG Card versions
Moat - MTG Card versions
Teleportation Circle - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Haunting - MTG Card versions
Drawn Together - MTG Card versions
Proper Burial - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Curse of Exhaustion plays a pivotal role in disrupting your opponent’s game plan, effectively limiting their ability to play multiple spells and thus providing a distinctive form of indirect card advantage. While it doesn’t directly draw you cards, it can constrain your opponent’s options, potentially leading them to discard at end of turn.

Resource Acceleration: Although Curse of Exhaustion doesn’t accelerate your mana resources, it contributes to resource acceleration by slowing down your adversary. This imbalance can give you the temporal edge to deploy your resources more efficiently than your rival, setting up a win with less pressure on your mana pool.

Instant Speed: Curse of Exhaustion acts at enchantment speed, demanding strategic forethought regarding the best time to deploy it. While it might not have the flexibility of an instant speed spell, timing its play can still be crucial. Properly played, it can effectively catch your opponent off-guard, particularly post-sideboard, when they are less likely to expect enchantment disruption.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Curse of Exhaustion doesn’t directly force the player to discard cards, its presence on the battlefield can pressure the player into choosing to discard strategically or deter specific plays to avoid furthering the disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Curse of Exhaustion’s mana cost requires white and any three other mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks heavily featuring white mana or those that can reliably produce any color of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four-mana casting requirement, Curse of Exhaustion competes with other impactful cards at this crucial curve point. Players might find that other enchantments or spells could provide more immediate or versatile effects for the same investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Curse of Exhaustion offers a unique playstyle, fitting well into decks that aim to control the pace of the game. By limiting opponents to one spell per turn, it can disrupt numerous strategies.

Combo Potential: This enchantment pairs exceptionally well with other pieces that prevent or punish the casting of spells, such as Knowledge Pool, to effectively lock opponents out of casting any more spells.

Meta-Relevance: In environments rife with combo decks or those that rely on casting multiple spells per turn, Curse of Exhaustion can serve as a critical countermeasure, skewing matchups in your favor.


How to beat

Curse of Exhaustion presents a unique challenge on the battleground of Magic: The Gathering. As an enchantment that inhibits opponents from playing more than one spell each turn, it forces a slow-down in their strategy. Effectively countering this can shift the tide of the game. To outmaneuver the restricting grip of Curse of Exhaustion, consider cards that offer flexibility and alternative playstyles. Disenchant effects or enchantment removal spells like Naturalize or Disenchant itself are straightforward solutions to eradicate the curse directly from the battlefield.

Adapting to a singular spell pace, you might also leverage cards that offer significant value per play or those with passive abilities that operate irrespective of spell casting. This includes creatures with potent enters-the-battlefield effects or artifacts that grant continuous advantages. Furthermore, working around the one-spell-a-turn limit can involve adopting an instant-speed interaction approach, waiting for the window between turns to make the most out of your limited casts.

Remember, while Curse of Exhaustion can influence your game plan, it’s the adjustment in your strategy—prioritizing high-impact cards and clever timing—that will herald your success against such an enchantment in the diverse and strategic world of Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into MTG strategies often involves not only knowing which cards to play, but also understanding your opponent’s weaknesses. Curse of Exhaustion is a strategic tool that can tilt the scales in your favor by applying a persistent stall on their tactics. Remember, magic is not just casting spells — it’s about outsmarting your opponent at every turn. For those who relish in the control game and enjoy dictating the pace, incorporating Curse of Exhaustion into your arsenal could be the key to dominating your next duel. Eager to learn more and harness the full potential of this compelling card? We invite you to join our community where insights abound, and every card counts.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Curse of Exhaustion MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Curse of Exhaustion and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Curse of Exhaustion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Curse of Exhaustion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-01-22 Curse of Exhaustion will look at the entire turn to see if the enchanted player has cast a spell yet that turn, even if Curse of Exhaustion wasn’t on the battlefield when that spell was cast.