Curse of Misfortunes MTG Card


Curse of Misfortunes - Dark Ascension
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Aura Curse
Abilities Enchant
Released2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameDark Ascension
Set codeDKA
Number56
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byTerese Nielsen

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides a steady stream of curses, amassing card advantage without dipping into your hand resources each upkeep.
  2. Difficult to cast in multicolor decks due to specific mana requirements, which can hinder deck flexibility.
  3. Changes the dynamic of a match, especially in longer games, with its persistent and escalating curse effects.

Text of card

Enchant player At the beginning of your upkeep, you may search your library for a Curse card that doesn't have the same name as a Curse attached to enchanted player, put it onto the battlefield attached to that player, then shuffle your library.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Curse of Misfortunes excels in its ability to fetch more curses from your deck after it’s attached to a player. Each upkeep, this process slowly stacks your side of the field with impactful enchantments, tipping the scale in your favor over the course of the game without expending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Curse of Misfortunes doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it methodically improves your board state by fetching curses. This enrichment indirectly saves mana and resources, as you’re not casting those curses from your hand, allowing you to utilize your mana for other strategic moves or counters.

Instant Speed: Although Curse of Misfortunes operates at sorcery speed, its enduring effect compensates by creating a persistent threat during your upkeep without further actions required. Once in place, its continuous ability exerts pressure on your opponents and enhances your game plan, functioning much like an automated engine that leverages your position turn after turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Curse of Misfortunes card doesn’t involve a discard requirement directly; however, its dependency on having other curses in your deck or hand to maximize its effect can lead to resource depletion, emphasizing deck building constraints rather than the strategic discarding of cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a narrow combination of one black and four other mana of any color, Curse of Misfortunes can be a challenging fit for multicolored decks that may struggle to meet the specific mana demand consistently, especially early in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, Curse of Misfortunes is placed at a higher mana tier. In fast-paced games, this may delay your game plan as resources are tied up in casting the Curse, potentially allowing opponents to gain a significant advantage on the board before it affects play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Curse of Misfortunes offers flexibility as it allows players to attach any Curse cards from their deck directly onto opponents. This enchantment fits well into control and long-game strategies and thrives in multiplayer settings.

Combo Potential: When combined with other curses, Curse of Misfortunes can unleash a tide of detrimental effects on your adversaries turn after turn. It’s the linchpin of a Curse-based deck that can progressively weaken your opponents while you stay ahead.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to go longer, this card becomes an asset. As the match drags on, your ability to hinder opponents’ strategies with various Curses each turn without expending additional resources becomes invaluable.


How to beat

The Curse of Misfortunes is a potent enchantment in MTG that can lock opponents into a cycle of debilitating effects. This enchantment, best suited for long-term strategy decks, does require time to show its full potential as it tutors for additional curse cards with each of your upkeep phases. A key strategy to countering it is to employ enchantment removal cards. Counterspells like Dispel or Negate can prevent it from hitting the battlefield altogether, while instant speed options like Naturalize or Disenchant can dispose of it after it has been played.

Adept players might keep a vigilant watch for any hints of a curse-based strategy, often signified by a five-color mana base and a slower pace of play. Cards that grant hexproof to a player, such as Leyline of Sanctity, can also provide a robust defense by making you an illegal target for your opponent’s curses. For those who deal with this curse in their meta, it’s wise to include these types of protective spells and efficient removals in your sideboard, ensuring you’re not caught off guard by the cumulative setbacks that Curse of Misfortunes is capable of generating.

While Curse of Misfortunes is indeed a crucial component in a niche deck archetype, its slow setup and vulnerability to common disruption tactics mean that prepared players can navigate around its impacts effectively, maintaining control of the game’s outcome.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the art of enchantment with Curse of Misfortunes. Understanding its ability to incrementally control the match by fetching curses offers a significant edge. While it thrives in dedicated decks, it’s essential to discuss tactics against such strategies too. Whether it’s sideboard tips or identifying its unique value in varied MTG formats, mastering every aspect of this card can drastically enhance your gameplay. Leverage Curse of Misfortunes’ potential to weave a web of obstacles for your opponents. For an in-depth guide on capitalizing on its strengths and defending against such strategies, join our community and advance your MTG prowess.


Cards like Curse of Misfortunes

Curse of Misfortunes stands out in the niche of enchantment-based strategies in MTG, offering a unique effect not commonly found on other cards. It bears some resemblance to cards like Bitterheart Witch, which also revolves around the curse theme. Both are black enchantments that facilitate playing curses directly from the library, but Curse of Misfortunes does so repeatedly every upkeep, while Bitterheart Witch triggers only upon death.

Another comparable curse-related card is Accursed Witch. While it doesn’t fetch curses from your deck, it becomes a curse itself after it dies, making it a two-in-one deal. However, Curse of Misfortunes offers more consistent and potentially devastating long-term value by building a curse chain over several turns – a strategic advantage that should not be underestimated.

All things considered, Curse of Misfortunes is a uniquely potent piece in a curse-themed deck, presenting continual threat escalation that can dominate the battlefield if left unchecked. Its recurring ability to fetch and cast curses is unmatched, making it a formidable tool for players who enjoy a methodical approach to victory.

Bitterheart Witch - MTG Card versions
Bitterheart Witch - MTG Card versions

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Horror of Horrors - MTG Card versions
Worms of the Earth - MTG Card versions
Forbidden Crypt - MTG Card versions
Death Pits of Rath - MTG Card versions
Handcuffs - MTG Card versions
Discordant Dirge - MTG Card versions
Subversion - MTG Card versions
Larceny - MTG Card versions
Conspiracy - MTG Card versions
Putrefaction - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Hunger - MTG Card versions
Spreading Plague - MTG Card versions
Traveling Plague - MTG Card versions
Dawn of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Gravebreaker Lamia - MTG Card versions
Doomwake Giant - MTG Card versions
Clutch of Undeath - MTG Card versions
Sanguine Bond - MTG Card versions
Call to the Grave - MTG Card versions
Curse of Death's Hold - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Curse of Misfortunes MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, 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 Misfortunes and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Curse of Misfortunes has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-01-22 The Curse card you put onto the battlefield must have a different name than each other Curse enchanting the enchanted player when the triggered ability resolves. If multiple of these abilities trigger, the Curse card you put onto the battlefield when the first resolves may impact your choices for each subsequent one.

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