Enchanter's Bane MTG Card

Treasure Chest (PZ2)
2016-11-16 - Number 70703

Commander 2018 (C18)
2018-08-09 - Number 21

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment

Key Takeaways

Repeated damage through Enchanter’s Bane leverages opponents’ enchantments for a strategic advantage.
It can disrupt strategies by forcing opponents to address the consistent end-step damage trigger.
A cost of four mana is steep, but can be justified by the card’s potential to hinder opponent’s enchantment-reliant plans.

Text of card

At the beginning of your end step, target enchantment deals damage equal to its mana value to its controller unless that player sacrifices it.

Those who fail to respect power will soon be consumed by it.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Enchanter’s Bane can become a source of repeated damage by targeting enduring enchantments in play, effectively harnessing an opponent’s resources to your advantage without expending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting mana resources, the card’s potential to disrupt your opponent’s board stability can indirectly speed up your own game plan by diverting their resources to address the incremental damage.

Instant Speed: As an enchantment, Enchanter’s Bane may not be cast at instant speed, but its triggered ability acts on each of your end steps, offering a consistent threat that can influence your opponent’s actions on their turn, similar to the strategic considerations of instant speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Enchanter’s Bane compels players to make tough decisions about discarding enchantments. Having to let go of potent spells can be a tactical setback, particularly in enchantment-heavy decks which rely on such cards to maintain board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires both red and generic mana, Enchanter’s Bane might not fit seamlessly into multicolored decks. It’s essential for players to have adequate red mana sources when planning to include this card in their deck strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, Enchanter’s Bane can be a costly affair when alternative lower-cost cards may serve a similar purpose with less resource investment. This may impact early game tempo, where mana efficiency is crucial for establishing control.

Reasons to Include Enchanter’s Bane in Your Collection

Versatility: Enchanter’s Bane is a unique addition to any collection because it has the capacity to slot into various deck types. This card particularly shines in environments where enchantments are prevalent. It’s not limited to a single strategy and can be a defensive tool against enchantment-heavy opponents.

Combo Potential: This card can be leveraged as part of a strategic combo to keep persistent pressure on opponents who rely on enchantments for their game plans. By turning their enchantments into a liability, you harness their resources to your advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where enchantments play a key role, Enchanter’s Bane can serve as an effective sideboard card, if not a mainboard choice, depending on the frequency of enchantment-based strategies. Keeping up with the meta is important, and including this card could provide a significant edge.

How to beat

Enchanter’s Bane presents a unique challenge in MTG, acting as a deterrent to players relying heavily on enchantments. This card can turn the tide by inflicting damage equal to an enchantment’s casting cost to its controller each turn. To circumvent the painful sting of Enchanter’s Bane, savvy players might employ a few strategies. One could use enchantment removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize, thus eliminating the source of damage. Alternatively, players could shift to a strategy less dependent on enchantments, reducing the card’s impact.

Another tactic involves leveraging cards that protect enchantments, such as Sterling Grove or Greater Auramancy, providing a safeguard against Enchanter’s Bane. It’s crucial to adapt gameplay, perhaps incorporating counterspells like Negate to prevent Enchanter’s Bane from hitting the battlefield. Ultimately, the key is flexibility and the readiness to alter one’s game plan to mitigate the effects of such a targeted card.

Understanding the versatility required to navigate around Enchanter’s Bane can enhance a player’s resilience against similar threats, confirming the belief that an adaptable strategy is often a hallmark of successful MTG gameplay.

Cards like Enchanter's Bane

Enchanter’s Bane stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique red enchantment focusing on the strategic utilization of your opponent’s enchantments. It’s akin to cards like Harsh Mentor, which punishes players for activating abilities of artifacts, creatures, and lands. However, Enchanter’s Bane targets enchantments specifically and deals damage each turn, creating persistent pressure on the opponent’s strategy.

Another parallel can be drawn to Fate Unraveler, a card that also outwits opponents by turning their actions against them, in this case making them suffer damage whenever they draw cards. While this effect is constant, Enchanter’s Bane requires an enchantment on the field to be a threat, highlighting its situational nature. Moreover, Burn from Within is a relevant benchmark, capable of dealing direct damage unitarily targeted, breaking away from the requirement of depending on an opponent’s assets, unlike Enchanter’s Bane which thrives in a game dense with enchantments.

Evaluating the various dynamics, Enchanter’s Bane holds a unique position in MTG, offering an advantageous edge in enchantment-heavy metas, where it can relentlessly erode an opponent’s life total, distinct from other reactive damage-dealing alternatives.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Enchanter's Bane MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2018, 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 Enchanter's Bane and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Enchanter's Bane Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2018-08-09. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-11-16	Treasure Chest	PZ2		70703	2015	Normal	Black	Steve Prescott
2	2018-08-09	Commander 2018	C18		21	2015	Normal	Black	Steve Prescott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Enchanter's Bane has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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