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Curse
Curse
Enchantment Type
(Subtype for enchantment cards)
Storm Scale 2[1]
Statistics
42 cards
{W} 19% {U} 16.7% {B} 33.3% {R} 23.8% {G} 7.1%
as of Innistrad: Crimson Vow
Scryfall Search
type:"Curse"

Curse is an enchantment type which appears alongside Aura. All Curses enchant players and provide a detrimental effect to that player.

Description[ | ]

There aren't any special rules for Curses—they follow all the normal rules for Auras that enchant players—but there are some cards that refer to the Curse subtype by name.

The subtype was introduced with Innistrad,[2] though the ability to enchant players is older with Psychic Possession from Dissension (though it reads "enchant opponent"), Paradox Haze from Time Spiral and Wheel of Sun and Moon from Shadowmoor. After the Innistrad block, Curses reappeared in Commander 2013. It included the first green Curse.

Curses received mixed reactions among the players. R&D chose not to reuse them in large numbers in Shadows over Innistrad.[3] However, they made a quick reappearance in the Amonkhet block and Commander 2017[4] and are now considered to be deciduous.[5][6]

The design of Curses was inspired by Volrath’s Motion Sensor from Unglued.[7]

Curses are considered to be deciduous.[8]

Rules[ | ]

From the Comprehensive Rules (March 8, 2024—Fallout)

  • 205.3h Enchantments have their own unique set of subtypes; these subtypes are called enchantment types. The enchantment types are Aura (see rule 303.4), Background, Cartouche, Case (see rule 719), Class (see rule 716), Curse, Role (see rule 303.7), Rune, Saga (see rule 714), Shard, and Shrine.

Rulings[ | ]

  • A Curse spell targets the player it will enchant like any other Aura spell, and a Curse stays on the battlefield like any other Aura.
  • If the enchanted player gains protection from the Curse's color (or any other characteristic the Curse has), the Curse will be put into its owner's graveyard.
  • Each of the Curses can be attached to any player, including the player who cast the Curse.[9]
  • Curse is an enchantment type, not a creature type.

Cards referring to Curses[ | ]

Blue[ | ]

Black[ | ]

Multicolor[ | ]

Artifact[ | ]

Named as Curses, but without the subtype[ | ]

Trivia[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. Mark Rosewater (March 28, 2022). "Deciduous". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Wizards of the Coast (August 28, 2011). "Innistrad Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Mark Rosewater (March 14, 2016). "Chasing Shadows, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Bryan Hawley (August 9, 2017). "Vampirism 101". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Mark Rosewater (April 7, 2017). "Would you consider curses to be at least deciduous now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. Mark Rosewater (April 24, 2017). "Amonkhet Talking, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. Mark Rosewater (August 23, 2020). "Can you share some trivia about curses in general?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. Mark Rosewater (March 28, 2022). "Deciduous". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. Wizards of the Coast (October 22, 2013). "Commander 2013 Edition Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. Magic Arcana (March 31, 2010). "Unfinished Playtest Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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