Understanding the Power of Lure

Lure is an enchantment aura that has been a staple in various Magic: The Gathering decks since its release. It functions as an enchantment aura, meaning it can only be attached to one creature at a time. When attached, all creatures that would normally block the enchanted creature are instead forced to attack it.

Game State Interactions and Strategic Uses

Lure's impact on game state is largely determined by how players choose to play around its effects and other cards in their deck. One common approach is to use Lure as a way to "lock down" an opponent's creature that you plan to attack with multiple large creatures or other powerful enchantments.

For example, attaching Bane of Progress to Golgari Findbroker can create a situation where it becomes difficult for opponents to block when controlling the battlefield. In this case, using Lure on Golgari Findbroker would force all creatures that normally block it to instead attack, potentially allowing you to overwhelm them with your larger creatures.

Another approach is to use Lure in combination with certain other enchantments or spells that take advantage of its effects. For instance, attaching Grapple the Guardian to a powerful enchanter like Golgari Findbroker can make it difficult for opponents to defend against their attacks. Alternatively, using Lingering Souls alongside Lure on a larger creature like Karn Liberated could lead to an unexpected and potentially problematic attack sequence.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Lure is typically included in decks where creatures are central to the game plan, such as control or aggressive midrange strategies. It's especially useful for players looking to create threats that can be difficult to deal with due to their impact on creatures.

Some specific archetypes that often include Lure are:

• Golgari Midrange: Lure fits well in Golgari decks focused on controlling the board and generating card advantage.
• Orzhov Control: Its ability to force opponents to attack can be particularly problematic for Orzhov control strategies, where players focus on disrupting their opponents' plans with card draw and removal spells.
• Boros Aggro: Lure's potential to overwhelm opponents with its own creatures makes it a natural fit in aggressive Boros decks.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Lure has been played competitively since its release. In the Standard format of Magic: The Gathering, it's generally considered to be a mid-to-high power level card due to its ability to force opponents into unfavorable combat situations.

In recent years, there have been several decks that have featured Lure in competitive play, such as Mono-Red Aggro and Boros Control. In general, however, it's often difficult to find a single, winning strategy that involves using Lure alone.

As with any card, its power level can change over time due to how other cards are designed or released in new sets. For example, if new enchantments emerge with similar effects to Lure, its overall impact on the format may decrease.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Lure functions as an enchantment aura, which means it's attached to a single creature at a time. When it is, all creatures that would normally be blocked by the enchanted creature are instead forced to attack it, creating a potential threat for other players on the battlefield. In terms of game state interactions, Lure doesn't trigger any abilities when attached to a creature, but rather changes how creatures behave around that creature.

Lure interacts with other cards in various ways, depending on their specific mechanics and effects. For example, if Consecrated Sphinx is in play and controlling the battlefield, using its ability will block the enchanted creature with Lure, potentially sending it attacking the Sphinx instead.

In terms of interaction, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. First, any card that would normally be blocked by the target creature of Lure will instead attack it, which means that Serra Angel or Ajani's Pridemate might not block when attacking with Karn Liberated. Second, if the enchanted creature has abilities like Exalted Invoker's on attack, other creatures may get to choose how they respond.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The card was released in 2013 for the Game of Heroes set. Lure features a depiction of a snake wrapped around its prey. The card's art is somewhat reminiscent of other cards from that set that also feature animal-like illustrations.

In terms of flavor, Lure has often been described as a "snake-in-the-grass" type of enchantment, meaning it can be difficult to anticipate how creatures will behave when enchanted with it.

Overall, the combination of a powerful effect and an interesting art style makes Lure a compelling addition to any deck.

Technical Considerations

• Stacking: Because Lure functions as an enchantment aura, it must stack on top of existing enchantments that target a creature.
• Blocking: If two or more creatures with Lure are attacking the same opponent, which one would attack first?
• Abilities: Lure does not trigger abilities when attached to a creature. However, if an enchanted creature has an ability like Exalted Invoker's on attack, other creatures may get to choose how they respond.

Conclusion

Lure is a powerful enchantment that can be used in various strategic contexts depending on how players choose to play around its effects and other cards in their deck. Its impact on game state is largely determined by how players choose to interact with it, making it a versatile addition to any deck.

While it may not be the most powerful effect in terms of raw numbers, Lure can often create difficult situations for opponents and make it hard to anticipate how creatures will behave around enchanted targets.

By understanding how Lure works and how it interacts with other cards, players can effectively incorporate this enchantment into their decks and achieve a competitive edge.