Lust for War MTG Card

Lust for War can tip combat in your favor and wear down an opponent’s resources and life total. Though powerful, it requires careful mana management and may displace other valuable cards. Its singular effects provide flexibility and combo potential within creature-focused metas.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2010-04-23
Set symbol
Set name	Rise of the Eldrazi
Set code	ROE
Number	157
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Raymond Swanland

Text of card

Enchant creature Whenever enchanted creature becomes tapped, Lust for War deals 3 damage to that creature's controller. Enchanted creature attacks each turn if able.

Cards like Lust for War

Lust for War stands out in the realm of enchantment auras within Magic: The Gathering. The card ensnares a creature, forcing it to attack each turn, while dishing out damage to its controller, a feature reminiscent of the classic aura, Psychic Venom. However, Lust for War adds a unique twist by punishing the opponent every time the enchanted creature swings, unlike Psychic Venom which only deals damage when the creature becomes tapped.

The comparison lineup isn’t short of contenders, and cards like Aggressive Urge spring to mind. Although Aggressive Urge primarily focuses on boosting creatures temporarily and drawing a card, it still shares the attack encouragement aspect. Yet, Aggressive Urge lacks the sustained damage dealing quality over time. Then there’s Goblin War Drums, an enchantment that pushes all your creatures into a more formidable attacking position with added menace, but doesn’t directly penalize the opponent for creatures’ actions as Lust for War does.

Discerning the strategic value and tactical applications between these cards is vital for players. While each has its place depending on the deck and situation, Lust for War has its own niche, applying constant pressure and serving as both a deterrent and an offensive tool in player arsenals.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lust for War consists of an enchantment aura that contributes positively to your card utility. When attached to an opponent’s creature, it ensures they are compelled to attack each turn if able, potentially leading to advantageous blocks or attrition on your opponent’s side, thus increasing your chance to dictate the game’s pace.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing resources, Lust for War can indirectly expedite your victory by consistently dealing damage to the opponent, essentially accelerating the end of the match. Additionally, forcing an opponent to engage in combat can disrupt their resource management and board presence.

Instant Speed: This feature doesn’t apply to the card directly; however, due to its enchantment nature, Lust for War is best played when opponents least expect it, akin to instant speed strategies. Playing it right before your opponent’s turn maintains the surprise element, closely mirroring the tactical advantages of an instant’s timing.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Lust for War can be a powerful enchantment, it does not come without a downside. Players should be aware that it may require discarding other valuable cards to maintain its effect or to play more crucial spells in a game, thereby potentially reducing their hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: One limitation of Lust for War is its specific mana cost. The enchantment requires a precise combination of mana colors to be cast, which can restrict its integration into a variety of deck archetypes, particularly those that do not regularly include red mana in their base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost for wielding Lust for War may be considered steep relative to other cards with similar effects. With a mana investment of three, including a requirement for red, players must weigh its battlefield impact against using those resources for potentially more impactful spells or creatures.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lust for War shows its flexibility by fitting into aggressive red deck strategies, applying consistent pressure to opponents whether it enchants their key creatures or your own. This adaptability can be crucial in matches where maintaining momentum is key.

Combo Potential: For players who delight in building intricate combos, Lust for War enables various synergies. It shines in decks that capitalize on dealing damage and can be instrumental in enabling enrage abilities or cards that trigger on damage dealt.

Meta-Relevance: In environments heavily influenced by creature-based strategies, Lust for War gains value. It forces unfavorable attacks or blocks, and the incremental damage can tilt the scales in your favor in creature-heavy metas.

How to beat

Lust for War is an intriguing enchantment card in Magic: The Gathering that can create a persistent threat for opponents by turning their creatures against them. While seemingly a burden on the creature it’s enchanting by causing life loss each turn, breaking free from its grasp involves strategic play. To effectively counter this card, consider removing the enchanted creature from play. Options like direct removal spells are key, so using a card such as Murder to destroy the enchanted creature will neutralize the threat and stop the bleed of life points.

Alternatively, taking control of the board is another route. Cards that allow you to bounce your own creatures to your hand, like Unsummon, can save them from Lust for War’s detrimental effect and reset the field to your advantage. Additionally, enchantment removal spells can directly target and dispose of Lust for War, so carrying a few disenchantment options like Naturalize or Disenchant in your deck could provide the perfect solution. Staying ahead requires not only building a robust offensive strategy but also equipping your deck with the right defensive tools to withstand such controlling effects.

In sum, whether through creature assassination or enchantment destruction, smart deck construction and timely play are the keys to overcome the obstacle Lust for War presents on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lust for War MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi, 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 Lust for War and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lust for War has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2010-06-15	If, during its controller’s declare attackers step, the enchanted creature is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t attack, or is affected by “summoning sickness,” then that creature doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having that creature attack, its controller isn’t forced to pay that cost, so the creature doesn’t have to attack in that case either.
2010-06-15	Lust for War’s triggered ability triggers when the enchanted creature becomes tapped for any reason, not just when it attacks.