Curse of the Swine MTG Card


Effectively alters the battlefield by exchanging multiple threats for manageable 2/2 Boars. Strategic inclusion for decks countering indestructible/hexproof creatures in varied metas. Demands strategy and foresight to use efficiently and counter effectively in-game.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Exile X target creatures. For each creature exiled this way, its controller puts a 2/2 green Boar creature token onto the battlefield.

Another imminent battle subsided in busy snuffling and carefree rooting.


Cards like Curse of the Swine

Curse of the Swine shines in its unique approach to mass creature removal within Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to traditional board wipes, such as Wrath of God, for its ability to clear multiple threats at once. Yet, Curse of the Swine stands out with its transformative power, exchanging opposing creatures for harmless 2/2 Boars rather than outright destroying them. This bypasses abilities like indestructible or death-triggered effects, which sets it apart from Wrath of God.

In the context of blue spells, Pongify and Rapid Hybridization are relatives in effect, offering single-target removal that similarly replaces a creature with a creature token. They both cost a single blue mana, which makes them far more mana-efficient for targeted removal compared to Curse of the Swine’s scalability. Moreover, Rapid Hybridization and Pongify operate at instant speed, granting them additional versatility in response to an opponent’s actions, whereas Curse of the Swine is reserved to sorcery speed.

Assessing side by side, Curse of the Swine is incredibly effective in multiplayer formats or against decks that rely heavily on creature synergies. While not as quick on the draw as instant-speed alternatives, its potential to tilt the scales in your favor against an overwhelming board state makes it a notable spell in its own right.

Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Pongify - MTG Card versions
Rapid Hybridization - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Pongify - MTG Card versions
Rapid Hybridization - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Curse of the Swine. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
UU PioneerPioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-14

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Curse of the Swine offers a unique twist on card advantage. While players don’t draw cards directly, the spell has the potential to remove multiple threats at once. By exiling numerous creatures and replacing them with relatively harmless 2/2 Boar tokens, the player can significantly reduce the opponents’ board presence, paving the way for their own creatures to dominate the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: This spell isn’t typically used for resource acceleration. However, Curse of the Swine can indirectly accelerate resources for a player by clearing the path of potential blockers, allowing for more effective attacks, or by trading less valuable creatures for Boars that could later be utilized in various synergies or as fodder for other spells and abilities.

Instant Speed: While Curse of the Swine is a sorcery, its powerful effect at times rivals the flexibility of instant-speed spells. The ability to transform and exile several key creatures can be judiciously timed to interrupt the opponents’ combo pieces or crucial strategies right before they come to fruition, akin to an instant impact during one’s own turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Curse of the Swine does not require actual card discard as a cost, transforming opposing threats into 2/2 creatures can inadvertently arm your opponent with an army of swines, which could be detrimental if you’re unable to deal with multiple creatures on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue mana and generic mana, Curse of the Swine’s cost demands a commitment to blue, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks heavily invested in that color or those with a robust mana base capable of generating multiple colors of mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a base cost of two blue mana plus an additional generic mana for each target, the cost can escalate quickly, making it less mana-efficient than other removal options, especially when dealing with a single threatening creature or when your mana resources are stretched thin.


Reasons to Include Curse of the Swine in Your Collection

Versatility: Curse of the Swine offers a unique solution to problematic creatures across multiple opponent’s boards. Its ability to handle single or multiple targets makes it adaptable to a variety of situations, ensuring that your decks have a flexible response to threats.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies focused on mass removal or benefiting from opponents having creatures. It can also pave the way for cards that exploit the presence of creatures under your opponents’ control.

Meta-Relevance: Given its knack for sweeping transformations, Curse of the Swine is particularly useful in metas cluttered with indestructible or hexproof creatures. It’s an excellent way to bypass commonly used protective measures, making it a strategic tool in any player’s arsenal.


How to beat

Curse of the Swine is a unique and transformative blue spell that can reshape the battlefield by turning formidable creatures into mere 2/2 Boars. To outsmart this sorcery, one key strategy is to maintain a diversified board state. Avoid overcommitting to powerful creatures that could all get swept away with a single Curse. Instead, mix in spells that protect your team, like counterspells or cards that grant hexproof or indestructible.

Another tactic is to apply pressure early in the game. Curse of the Swine could be a reset button for an opponent when they’re behind, but by maintaining momentum and applying early pressure, you force the Curse out preemptively, essentially minimizing its impact. Additionally, instant-speed removals and sacrifice effects work wonders, letting you respond directly to the spell, potentially removing key targets from the equation before they become Boars. Saving your creatures indirectly from the Curse’s effect.

Always be ready to adapt post-Curse; have a plan for those Boars. Cards that thrive off of creatures entering the battlefield or that capitalize on creature deaths can turn this supposed setback into an advance, making every pig a silver lining in your strategic playbook. By understanding the mechanisms and being strategically prepared, overcoming the Curse of the Swine can be less challenging and more of an opportunity to demonstrate your cunning on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the vast universe of MTG includes understanding the ebb and flow of each match and the intricacies of each card, like the transformative Curse of the Swine. A card with the power to alter the battlefield dynamic requires careful strategy and deck composition. Our recommendation is to use it smartly when you’re facing numerous threats or need to disrupt enemy combos. Its unique ability to handle indestructible or hexproof creatures makes it invaluable in certain metas. Looking to broaden your tactical horizons and make every duel a lesson in mastery? Connect with us to further refine your skills and collection. Dive deeper and turn every challenge into victory!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Curse of the Swine MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Kaldheim Commander, 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 the Swine and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Curse of the Swine Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by James Ryman.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-09-27TherosTHS 462003NormalBlackJames Ryman
22021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 372015NormalBlackJames Ryman
32021-04-23Commander 2021C21 1182015NormalBlackJames Ryman
42022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7162015NormalBlackJames Ryman
52023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1502015NormalBlackJames Ryman
62024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 922015NormalBlackJames Ryman
72024-06-14Modern Horizons 3 CommanderM3C 1792015NormalBlackJames Ryman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Curse of the Swine has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal