False Cure MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2002-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Onslaught |
| Set code | ONS |
| Number | 146 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Bradley Williams |
Text of card
Until end of turn, whenever a player gains life, that player loses 2 life for each 1 life he or she gained.
"I do unto others as others have done unto me." —Phage the Untouchable
Cards like False Cure
False Cure is a unique instant in Magic: The Gathering that offers a twist on life gain strategies. Similar to cards like Tainted Remedy, it has the ability to turn an opponent’s health-giving plays against them. Tainted Remedy is an enchantment that makes players lose life instead of gaining it, aligning with False Cure’s sudden life-loss trick. However, False Cure is an instant, allowing players to respond unexpectedly during their opponent’s turn for a surprise shift in the game’s outcome.
Kavu Predator, another comparable card, thrives in environments where opponents gain life. As they gain, Kavu Predator grows, giving the controller a continually expanding threat. Unlike the immediate damage False Cure can inflict, Kavu Predator requires setup and time but can lead to a dominating board presence. Rain of Gore is also worth mentioning, acting as a deterrent against life gain abilities by causing them to backfire similarly to False Cure. As an enchantment, it offers a continuous effect, distinct from the one-time surprise that False Cure offers.
When considering synergy and potential for surprise, False Cure stands out for its ability to instantly flip the script on an opponent’s life gain, making it an impactful card against specific decks that rely heavily on that strategy.
Cards similar to False Cure by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: False Cure lends itself to creating unexpected card advantage by turning your opponent’s healing spells and effects into damaging ones. Effectively, it can negate the benefits of multiple opponent cards with a single cast.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense, but by potentially dealing a significant amount of damage, it rapidly accelerates the game towards a win without the need for additional resources.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of False Cure allows for strategic flexibility; you can respond to your opponent’s life gain activities immediately, transforming their advantage into a disadvantage during a turn where they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While False Cure doesn’t necessitate discarding as an initial cost, it demands a strategic setup with cards that make opponents gain life. Without this arrangement, it’s potentially a dead card in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for False Cure is specialized, needing two black mana. This restricts its inclusion primarily to black-centric or heavy black-influenced decks, making it a less flexible tool for players running a broader spectrum of colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, False Cure might seem reasonably priced. However, the situational nature of the card could render it less efficient compared to other instant spells in your deck. Its impact is contingent on your opponent gaining life, which might not always be a variable you can control or predict, thus impacting the card’s utility and timing.
Reasons to Include False Cure in Your Collection
Versatility: False Cure is a unique card that can be a game-changer in formats where life gain is prevalent. Its ability to turn an opponent’s life gain into life loss means it can be a disruptive tool in any black deck, especially in sideboards to surprise opponents who rely on that strategy.
Combo Potential: This card shines when you pair it with cards that force your opponent to gain life or when you can give life gain spells to your opponent. It has the potential to create devastating one-turn kills in combination with cards like Beacon of Immortality or creatures that have life link if controlled by the opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where life gain decks are popular, False Cure can serve as a powerful countermeasure. It deters players from casting spells or using abilities that could, ironically, expedite their own defeat, making it a sly addition to your tactical arsenal.
How to beat
False Cure is a unique card that turns life-gain effects into sources of pain for your opponent in Magic: The Gathering. Encountering this card requires a shift in normal tactics since traditional life-gain strategies can suddenly become detrimental. The key to overcoming False Cure lies in timing and card selection. It’s crucial to either play around False Cure’s instant speed by avoiding life gain while it could be in play or by using card effects that negate or remove it from the equation.
Consider cards that can counter instant spells, such as Negate, or spells that offer protection from black, which is False Cure’s color identity. Additionally, since False Cure only affects one turn, playing conservatively and holding back life-gain effects until the coast is clear is a viable strategy. Properly evaluating your life total and waiting to deploy life-gain effects until after your opponent has committed to playing False Cure can give you the upper hand.
Clever playing and a solid understanding of your deck’s capabilities and weaknesses, as well as those of your opponent’s, can enhance your chances of mitigating the damage from clever traps like False Cure.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase False Cure MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 False Cure and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where False Cure has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |