Curse of Stalked Prey MTG Card


Curse of Stalked Prey - Innistrad
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Aura Curse
Abilities Enchant
Released2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set nameInnistrad
Set codeISD
Number136
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byChristopher Moeller

Key Takeaways

  1. Turns creatures into escalating threats, continually boosting their power through combat damage.
  2. Enhances resource management by minimizing the need for additional creature buffs.
  3. While potent in offense, it presents risks with its specific mana cost and higher investment.

Text of card

Enchant player Whenever a creature deals combat damage to enchanted player, put a +1/+1 counter on that creature.

"Innocent thorns can fill the air with your bloodscent. Don't stray from the path." —Elmut, crossway watcher


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Curse of Stalked Prey excels in turning each of your creatures into an ongoing source of threat amplification, effectively increasing the value of your creature plays over time. As each of your creatures deal combat damage to a player, they grow stronger, which can outpace your opponent’s ability to handle your increasingly dangerous threats.

Resource Acceleration: While the Curse itself does not directly augment your mana, its ability to bolster your creatures can lead to a form of resource acceleration by reducing the need for additional spells to enhance your board state, thereby freeing up mana for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Curse of Stalked Prey adds tremendous value at sorcery speed by continually upgrading your creatures. More importantly, it synergizes with creatures that have instant-speed interactions or flash, making it a potent combo enabler with these types of cards.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Curse of Stalked Prey involves a notable risk. Players might find themselves in a situation where they need to hold on to resources, making it less appealing to use cards that require discard, especially under pressure.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana combination, making it a challenging fit for decks not dedicated to its color identity. Players running multi-colored decks may find the mana cost restrictive when aiming for a smooth and flexible mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher side in its category, Curse of Stalked Prey competes with other options that may provide more immediate impact or versatility for a similar or lower mana investment. It’s vital for players to weigh this card’s strategic value against other potential plays available within the same cost range.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Curse of Stalked Prey is a dynamic option for decks that aim to be aggressive. Being able to increase the power of your creatures consistently with each hit adds a persistent threat throughout the game.

Combo Potential: This enchantment works wonders in decks that focus on multiplying damage or enhancing creatures. Pair it with cards that allow creatures to deal damage multiple times per turn for explosive growth.

Meta-Relevance: Against decks that struggle to remove enchantments, Curse of Stalked Prey provides a steady advantage. In a creature-focused meta, having your creatures grow stronger with each strike can turn the tide of battle in your favor.


How to beat

The Curse of Stalked Prey creates a unique challenge on the battlefield due to its ability to bolster your opponent’s creatures. Effectively managing this enchantment isn’t just about removing the threat— it’s about anticipating and disrupting your opponent’s growth strategy. Cards that remove enchantments, like Disenchant or Naturalize, can directly eliminate the curse, effectively defusing its power.

Beyond removal, you can also turn to strategies that negate the benefit of the curse. Playing with cards that stifle counter accumulation, such as Solemnity, ensures that the increased power that Curse of Stalked Prey aims to provide never gets off the ground. Counterspell and other reactionary spells that disrupt your adversary’s game plan are also advisable to prevent this enchantment from sticking on the field in the first place.

By employing smart removal, utilizing counter play, and staying one step ahead, you can maintain control and neutralize the persistent threat posed by Curse of Stalked Prey. This strategy allows savvy players to avoid the curse’s potential snowball effect and carry the game towards a victorious outcome.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the depths of MTG strategy unveils gems like Curse of Stalked Prey, a card that transforms each creature attack into a stepping stone towards dominance. It’s a powerhouse for those who relish in watching their creatures evolve into unstoppable forces every turn. Yet, every card has its counters, and knowing when and how to wield this enchantment is key. For those ready to refine their deck-building prowess and outmaneuver opponents, Curse of Stalked Prey could be the catalyst you’ve been searching for. Discover how to maximize its impact and seamlessly integrate it into your arsenal. Learn more and harness its power to its fullest potential.


Cards like Curse of Stalked Prey

Curse of Stalked Prey is an intriguing aura in Magic: The Gathering that enriches the pool of red enchantments. Within the same vein of curse cards, we have Curse of Opulence, which generates Gold tokens whenever the cursed opponent is attacked, thereby advancing one’s mana pool and accelerating gameplay. While Curse of Stalked Prey lacks direct resource production, it compensates by bolstering creatures’ power after inflicting combat damage to a cursed opponent.

Examining Curse of the Pierced Heart, a card that deals incremental damage to the cursed player during each of your upkeeps, offers a more steady damage output compared to the potentially explosive power increases with Curse of Stalked Prey. Another parallel can be drawn to Curse of Chaos, encouraging spellcasting through possible card draws when the cursed opponent is harmed. It doesn’t however, alter the combat capabilities of creatures directly, setting it apart from Curse of Stalked Prey’s creature-focused strategy.

When factoring in gameplay impact and deck synergy, Curse of Stalked Prey holds a unique position. It not only intensifies the threat level of individual creatures but can also turn the tide of a game by empowering an entire assaulting force over time.

Curse of Opulence - MTG Card versions
Curse of the Pierced Heart - MTG Card versions
Curse of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Curse of Opulence - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Curse of the Pierced Heart - Innistrad (ISD)
Curse of Chaos - Commander 2013 (C13)

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

Power Surge - MTG Card versions
Raging River - MTG Card versions
Smoke - MTG Card versions
Goblin Kites - MTG Card versions
The Brute - MTG Card versions
Giant Strength - MTG Card versions
Lightning Reflexes - MTG Card versions
Errantry - MTG Card versions
Goblin Festival - MTG Card versions
Scald - MTG Card versions
Cave Sense - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Surge - MTG Card versions
Maniacal Rage - MTG Card versions
Battle Strain - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Underworld Breach - MTG Card versions
Lightning Rift - MTG Card versions
Fractured Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Fire Whip - MTG Card versions
Emblem of the Warmind - MTG Card versions
Power Surge - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Raging River - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Smoke - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Goblin Kites - Fallen Empires (FEM)
The Brute - Renaissance (REN)
Giant Strength - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Lightning Reflexes - Mirage (MIR)
Errantry - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Goblin Festival - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Scald - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Cave Sense - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Flowstone Surge - Nemesis (NEM)
Maniacal Rage - Conflux (CON)
Battle Strain - Odyssey (ODY)
Goblin Bombardment - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Underworld Breach - Theros Beyond Death Promos (PTHB)
Lightning Rift - Onslaught (ONS)
Fractured Loyalty - Mirrodin (MRD)
Fire Whip - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Emblem of the Warmind - Future Sight (FUT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Curse of Stalked Prey MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Stalked Prey and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Curse of Stalked Prey has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-09-22 The ability will trigger when any creature deals combat damage to the enchanted player, including one controlled by another opponent or even by the enchanted player (if combat damage gets redirected somehow).

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