Curse of the Bloody Tome MTG Card


Curse of the Bloody Tome mills two cards from opponents each upkeep, reducing their game resources. Its specific mana requirements may limit flexibility in multicolor decks. This card is a key piece in mill strategies with great combo and meta potential.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura Curse
Abilities Enchant,Mill

Text of card

Enchant player At the beginning of enchanted player's upkeep, that player puts the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.

After seeing his life's work drip away, the mage decided it was a good time to go crazy.


Cards like Curse of the Bloody Tome

Curse of the Bloody Tome emerges as an intriguing component within the mill card portfolio in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other milling cards like Memory Erosion, which also encourages the opponent to put cards from their library into their graveyard, but it does so in a triggered fashion whenever the opponent casts a spell. Curse of the Bloody Tome, however, is steadfast in its approach, milling cards at each of the cursed player’s upkeeps.

Considering Jace’s Erasure, we observe a mill card that interacts hand in hand with the card draw mechanic, milling whenever you draw a card. This synergy provides potential for increased mill under the right circumstances, unlike the consistent passive ability of Curse of the Bloody Tome. Dreadwaters is another mill spell, which scales its effectiveness based on the number of lands a player controls, potentially leading to a significant one-time mill event rather than an ongoing effect.

In weighing the effects and strategic implementations, Curse of the Bloody Tome presents a reliable method of depleting an opponent’s library, standing out for its dependable, albeit gradual, milling capability within the varied landscape of mill strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Memory Erosion - MTG Card versions
Jace's Erasure - MTG Card versions
Dreadwaters - MTG Card versions
Memory Erosion - MTG Card versions
Jace's Erasure - MTG Card versions
Dreadwaters - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Curse of the Bloody Tome by color, type and mana cost

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In the Eye of Chaos - MTG Card versions
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Mana Vortex - MTG Card versions
Energy Flux - MTG Card versions
Mesmeric Trance - MTG Card versions
Soul Barrier - MTG Card versions
Puppet Master - MTG Card versions
Intruder Alarm - MTG Card versions
Equilibrium - MTG Card versions
Mana Breach - MTG Card versions
Checks and Balances - MTG Card versions
Douse - MTG Card versions
Veiled Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Charisma - MTG Card versions
Traveler's Cloak - MTG Card versions
Shifting Sky - MTG Card versions
Threads of Disloyalty - MTG Card versions
Pemmin's Aura - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Study - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Curse of the Bloody Tome continuously mills two cards from your opponent’s library at the beginning of their upkeep, gradually depleting their resources and providing an ongoing tactical advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your resources, it indirectly pressures your opponent’s resources, potentially exhausting crucial spells and creatures before they are drawn, altering the pace of the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: Although it’s an enchantment that does not function at instant speed, its persistent effect applies pressure at a time when most instant-speed interactions occur – your opponent’s turn. This keeps the pressure steady and unpredictable for your adversary.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Regardless of the strategic mill advantage that Curse of the Bloody Tome provides, it requires your opponent to discard two cards each turn. This can sometimes backfire if your opponent benefits from having cards in their graveyard or operates with flashback mechanics.

Specific Mana Cost: The enchantment is locked behind a specific mana alignment, demanding one blue and two generic mana, which can be challenging for multicolor decks that rely on a smooth mana base to function effectively. This requirement may not suit decks that are not focused on blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While setting up a mill strategy, the three-mana cost of the Curse of the Bloody Tome is regarded as moderately high compared to other milling cards or enchantments that could provide immediate board presence or card advantage. There are competitive alternatives that offer more dynamic gameplay interactions for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Curse of the Bloody Tome is a flexible enchantment that can seamlessly integrate into mill decks, its ability to continuously force opponents to put cards from their library into their graveyard makes it a consistent threat on the board.

Combo Potential: With Curse of the Bloody Tome in play, it can form powerful combinations with other mill strategies, amplifying the rate at which an opponent’s library is depleted and bringing you closer to a win condition through decking your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard strategies are prevalent, this card not only obstructs an opponent’s resources but potentially feeds into your strategic plays that capitalize on having a high volume of opponent’s cards in their graveyard.


How to beat

Curse of the Bloody Tome presents itself as a mill card that quietly whittles down an opponent’s library. To counter this persistent threat, one should consider incorporating graveyard shuffling cards such as Elixir of Immortality. This card not only nullifies the mill effect by returning all cards from the graveyard to the library, but it also offers a lifeline by increasing the player’s life total.

Strategic deck building can also be crucial to outpace this curse. Cards that benefit from having a large graveyard, like powerful delirium or threshold mechanics, can turn this perceived disadvantage into a boon. Including enchantment removal options such as Disenchant is a straightforward method to lift the curse off your deck, providing a clear path to victory without your library being continuously eroded.

In short, adapting your playstyle and deck to either use the milling to your advantage or having the means to directly remove or counteract the enchantment will ensure that the Curse of the Bloody Tome becomes a boon rather than a bane in your MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Curse of the Bloody Tome is more than just an enchantment; it’s a strategy that reshapes the battlefield and pushes your opponent into a corner. With its consistent milling, this card is essential for those looking to control the pace of the game and capitalize on wearing down the enemy’s resources. The depth of MTG is immense, and every card counts, every strategy matters. Diversify your deck, embrace innovative tactics, and stay ahead of the meta. Join our community for in-depth insights and tips to ensure that with every draw, you’re not just playing—you’re making winning moves. Let’s delve deeper together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Curse of the Bloody Tome MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and 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 the Bloody Tome and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Curse of the Bloody Tome Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2011-09-30. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 428702003NormalBlackJohn Stanko
22011-09-30InnistradISD 502003NormalBlackJaime Jones

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Curse of the Bloody Tome has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-09-22 If the enchanted player has only one card in their library, they put that card into their graveyard.