Cursecatcher MTG Card


Trade Cursecatcher to counter crucial spells, maintaining hand advantage and game control. Influence opponents’ plays, accelerating your resource development and board control. Operate at instant speed, posing a constant threat to opponents’ spellcasting.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Wizard
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Sacrifice Cursecatcher: Counter target instant or sorcery spell unless its controller pays .

"Of all the things that can be stolen, opportunity is the most valuable."


Cards like Cursecatcher

Cursecatcher is a staple for its role in creature-based control strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative in terms of function is Judge’s Familiar, which sports a near-identical ability – sacrificing itself to counter a spell unless its caster pays an additional mana. However, Cursecatcher is strictly tribal, aligning with Merfolk decks, while Judge’s Familiar finds a home among Bird and Spirit decks.

In contrast, Mausoleum Wanderer, emanating from the Spirits tribe, adds a twist to this effect. Not only can it counter spells unless a fee is paid, its power can also scale with the number of Spirits you control, potentially increasing the cost of the spell it intends to counter. Then there’s Mistcaller, another Merfolk entity, offering a unique form of one-time graveyard disruption but without the countering capability of Cursecatcher.

While each card has its place in different deck archetypes, Cursecatcher remains a classic choice for its simplicity and efficiency in disrupting opponents early in the game, especially prevalent in Merfolk synergistic builds that favor proactive interaction.

Judge's Familiar - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Wanderer - MTG Card versions
Mistcaller - MTG Card versions
Judge's Familiar - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Wanderer - MTG Card versions
Mistcaller - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cursecatcher by color, type and mana cost

Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Flying Men - MTG Card versions
Shrieking Drake - MTG Card versions
Cloud Pirates - MTG Card versions
Fledgling Osprey - MTG Card versions
Manta Riders - MTG Card versions
Faerie Squadron - MTG Card versions
Faerie Seer - MTG Card versions
Fugitive Wizard - MTG Card versions
Wandering Ones - MTG Card versions
Dreamcatcher - MTG Card versions
Drifter il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Sage of Epityr - MTG Card versions
Screeching Sliver - MTG Card versions
Timebender - MTG Card versions
Cloud Sprite - MTG Card versions
Merrow Witsniper - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Frost - MTG Card versions
Grixis Illusionist - MTG Card versions
Enclave Cryptologist - MTG Card versions
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Flying Men - MTG Card versions
Shrieking Drake - MTG Card versions
Cloud Pirates - MTG Card versions
Fledgling Osprey - MTG Card versions
Manta Riders - MTG Card versions
Faerie Squadron - MTG Card versions
Faerie Seer - MTG Card versions
Fugitive Wizard - MTG Card versions
Wandering Ones - MTG Card versions
Dreamcatcher - MTG Card versions
Drifter il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Sage of Epityr - MTG Card versions
Screeching Sliver - MTG Card versions
Timebender - MTG Card versions
Cloud Sprite - MTG Card versions
Merrow Witsniper - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Frost - MTG Card versions
Grixis Illusionist - MTG Card versions
Enclave Cryptologist - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Cursecatcher. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Blue MerfolkMono-Blue Merfolk LegacyMerfolkCircuito Legacy Catarinense | Temporada 2024 | Etapa 2
Mono-Blue AggroMono-Blue Aggro Vintage2023 NA Vintage Champs
Bant ControlBant Control LegacyMerfolk2023 Asia Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cursecatcher has the unique ability to trade itself for an enemy spell, potentially negating a high-value target and keeping your hand filled with more options than your opponent. This trade-off can be an essential move in maintaining control over the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Cursecatcher itself does not directly accelerate resources, its presence can indirectly hasten your game plan. By deterring opponents from playing non-creature spells early on, it allows you to develop your board and resources without disruption, keeping you ahead in the race for board dominance.

Instant Speed: The true power of Cursecatcher lies in its ability to act at instant speed without actually being an instant. Its sacrifice ability can be activated anytime you could cast an instant, leaving your opponent always guessing whether to risk casting an important spell, given that Cursecatcher can counter it if they have not paid the additional mana.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The absence of a discard effect with Cursecatcher can sometimes be missed in situations where card advantage is more valuable than countering an opponent’s spell, making it less versatile in decks that might benefit from such trade-offs.

Specific Mana Cost: Cursecatcher’s sole mana requirement of blue means it fits primarily into blue or blue-heavy decks, potentially restricting its inclusion in multicolored or color-flexible decks that might favor more diverse mana arrangements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite Cursecatcher’s ability to potentially counter a spell, its one blue mana cost for a 1/1 creature can be a little steep when evaluating it against other one-drop creatures that might offer higher power or additional abilities.


Reasons to Include Cursecatcher in Your Collection

Versatility: Cursecatcher’s simple yet effective ability to counter a noncreature spell unless its controller pays {1} makes it a universal fit for blue-based decks. Its power to disrupt opponents early in the game adds a strategic edge, regardless of the overarching deck theme.

Combo Potential: As a one-drop merfolk, Cursecatcher works seamlessly with other merfolk synergies. It can be a crucial part of combos that benefit from having numerous merfolk on the board or sacrifice mechanics for additional effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dense with instant and sorcery spells, Cursecatcher shines by applying constant pressure on opponents, forcing them to play around its ability. Its relevance grows in formats where holding up mana for counterspells is a common strategy, integrating well with tempo and control archetypes.


How to beat

Cursecatcher is one of the more unique creatures in MTG, often used in Merfolk decks for its disruptive abilities. Not known for its raw power, its real value lies in its ability to sacrifice itself to counter target instant or sorcery spell unless its controller pays an additional mana. This can disrupt an opponent’s turn, especially in the early game when mana resources are limited.

To surpass the obstacle of Cursecatcher, consider playing around the creature’s sacrifice ability by holding back critical spells until you have enough mana to pay the tax it imposes. Alternatively, timing your spells when your opponent is tapped out ensures that sacrificing Cursecatcher won’t be an option. Efficient removal spells can also clear out Cursecatcher before you cast a more important spell. Lastly, if you’re playing a creature-heavy strategy, it might simply be easier to build a board presence that obviates the need for instant or sorcery spells that Cursecatcher can counter.

Although Cursecatcher might not seem daunting on its own, its ability to protect a Merfolk-focused strategy can make it a nuisance. By planning your spells and mana usage carefully, you can mitigate the interruption it causes and maintain the flow of your game plan without letting this gilled gatekeeper hamper your progress.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the intricacies of Cursecatcher reveals its pivotal role in crafting a seamless blue-based strategy in MTG. Grasping the subtleties of play and counterplay that this merfolk presents can equip you with a finer control over the ebb and flow of matches. As the nuances of Cursecatcher’s abilities unfold, a well-versed player can use it to dictate the pace of the game, ensuring that each spell cast counts. For those aiming to fine-tune their collections or seeking to disrupt their opponents with finesse, considering Cursecatcher’s inclusion is a step towards honing a more sophisticated deck composition. Embark on a deeper exploration of card strategies and refine your MTG expertise by joining our community to unlock the full potential of your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cursecatcher MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Masters 25, 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 Cursecatcher and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cursecatcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2018-03-16. Illustrated by Warren Mahy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-05-02ShadowmoorSHM 342003NormalBlackWarren Mahy
22018-03-16Masters 25A25 532015NormalBlackWarren Mahy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cursecatcher has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal