Curse of Predation MTG Card
2013-11-01 - Number 140
2017-06-09 - Number 99
2017-11-17 - Number 159
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura Curse |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant player Whenever a creature attacks enchanted player, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
"Hunters feed on the fear of their prey." —Garruk Wildspeaker
Cards like Curse of Predation
In evaluating the unique benefits of Curse of Predation within Magic: The Gathering, it’s insightful to examine other cards that boost creatures’ power. Comparable to Curse of Predation is Beastmaster Ascension, which incrementally enhances creatures’ strength as they attack. Although Beastmaster Ascension can potentially offer a more substantial increase, Curse of Predation provides immediate and consistent value from the first attack, unlike Ascension which requires a build-up.
Another analogous card is the emblem from Garruk, Primal Hunter. Much like Curse of Predation, it adds a counter to creatures as they attack, yet the emblem is a permanent effect granted from a planeswalker’s ultimate ability, making it less accessible early on. Similarly, Craterhoof Behemoth offers a significant one-time boost to power and toughness, but it doesn’t support the progressive growth that Curse of Predation does through repeated attacks.
Through these comparisons, it’s evident that Curse of Predation holds a strong position for players who value the potential for long-term creature development. Its ability to consistently enhance a creature during each attack phase makes it distinctively advantageous for aggressive strategies in the game.
Cards similar to Curse of Predation by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Curse of Predation doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, the card facilitates repeated creature growth for persistent on-field advantage. With each attack, the enchanted player’s creatures become stronger, potentially outclassing opponents’ creatures and reducing the need for additional cards to enhance them.
Resource Acceleration: Curse of Predation dynamically accelerates resources by ramping up the power of attacking creatures. Over time, this can reduce the necessity for investing additional mana and cards into creature buffs, thereby freeing up resources for other strategic plays throughout the game.
Instant Speed: Although Curse of Predation is not an instant, it creates a situation where your creatures can potentially become stronger during each of your turns, not just your own. This ability to ‘accelerate’ at the speed of combat phases mirrors the flexible utility that instant speed spells offer by affecting the state of play within each cycle of turns, keeping opponents on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Even though Curse of Predation doesn’t ask you to discard cards, it does necessitate a specific board state to be effective. Without creatures to attack and trigger its ability, it’s just an enchantment sitting on your battlefield with no impact.
Specific Mana Cost: Enchantments like Curse of Predation require green mana, which can be a stumbling block for decks not heavy in green. Its dependency on green means it might not seamlessly fit into every deck archetype out there.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes both generic and green mana, some players may find the cost of getting Curse of Predation onto the battlefield a bit steep compared to other options that can populate the field or buff creatures for less investment.
Reasons to Include Curse of Predation in Your Collection
Versatility: The enchantment Curse of Predation finds a comfortable spot in a range of aggressive decks, granting continuous advantage by empowering creatures each time they attack the cursed player. This card can shift the balance of power in multiplayer formats, such as Commander, where it can be strategically assigned to the most threatening opponent.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with cards that benefit from +1/+1 counters, enabling multiple interactions and growing threats each turn. Combos with proliferate mechanics or counter-doubling effects can lead to an overwhelming board presence quickly.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games tend to stretch into longer matches, Curse of Predation ensures your creatures become increasingly dangerous. It encourages a proactive playstyle and can pressure opponents who might otherwise stabilize the board, keeping the cursed player on the defensive.
How to Beat Curse of Predation
Curse of Predation is an impactful enchantment in MTG that can quickly escalate the power of your opponent’s creatures. It operates by placing a +1/+1 counter on each creature that attacks the cursed player, bolstering their board state significantly over time. To effectively counteract Curse of Predation, it’s important to focus on two strategies: enchantment removal and creature control.
Utilizing enchantment removal spells like Naturalize or Disenchant allows players to target and eliminate the curse before it can profoundly affect the game. Creature control, on the other hand, focuses on managing the battlefield. Tools such as board wipes, like Wrath of God or Damnation, remove the creatures benefiting from the curse, thereby negating its advantages. Alternatively, spot removal spells or those that can tap opponents’ creatures to prevent them from attacking can be crucial in keeping the creatures’ power in check.
Ultimately, swift removal of the enchantment combined with strategies to manage the creatures affected by Curse of Predation can mitigate its impact, providing a pathway to maintain advantage and pave the way to victory. It is essential to have a response ready, as a neglected curse can quickly lead to an unstoppable army.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Curse of Predation MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2013 and Commander Anthology, 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 Predation and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Curse of Predation Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-11-01 and 2017-11-17. Illustrated by Jack Wang.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 140 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jack Wang | |
| 2 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jack Wang | |
| 3 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 159 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jack Wang |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Curse of Predation has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Curse of Predation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-10-17 | A Curse spell targets the player it will enchant like any other Aura spell, and a Curse stays on the battlefield like any other Aura. If the enchanted player gains protection from the Curse’s color (or any other characteristic the Curse has), the Curse will be put into its owner’s graveyard. |
| 2013-10-17 | Curse is an enchantment type, not a creature type (or any other kind of subtype). |
| 2013-10-17 | Each of the Curses can be attached to any player, including the player who cast the Curse. |
| 2013-10-17 | The Curse subtype has no inherent rules meaning, but two cards in the Innistrad set (Bitterheart Witch and Witchbane Orb) refer to Curses. |
| 2013-10-17 | The ability won’t trigger when a creature attacks a planeswalker controlled by the enchanted player. |