Curious Obsession: A Versatile Enchantment-Aura

TL;DR Summary

Curious Obsession is an enchantment-aura that provides a boost to enchanted creatures in terms of power and toughness. It also allows players to draw cards whenever the enchanted creature deals combat damage to a player. However, it comes with a drawback: if no creature attacked this turn, the aura is sacrificed at the beginning of the next end step.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Curious Obsession is an enchantment-aura that works by providing a +1/+1 boost to enchanted creatures. This boost can significantly increase the power and toughness of the enchanted creature, making it more formidable on the battlefield. Additionally, whenever the enchanted creature deals combat damage to a player, the player may draw a card.

The aura's drawback is triggered at the beginning of the end step, and if no creature attacked with this creature during the turn, the aura is sacrificed. This means that players must find ways to attack with their creatures or sacrifice the aura by playing a creature spell or enchanting another creature.

One important interaction to note is that Curious Obsession's ability can trigger multiple times per turn if the enchanted creature deals combat damage to different players. However, it only allows one draw per turn.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Aggressive Decks

Curious Obsession can be used to boost creatures in an aggressive deck, allowing players to deal more damage and draw cards. For example, a player could enchant a creature like Monastery Swiftspear with Curious Obsession to increase its power and toughness.

Midrange Decks

The aura can provide a moderate power boost to midrange creatures, making them more formidable on the battlefield. Players can also use Curious Obsession in combination with other enchantments that provide similar benefits.

Control Decks

Players can use Curious Obsession to create card advantage by drawing cards whenever their creatures deal combat damage. This can be especially useful in control decks that focus on generating card advantage through enchantments and removal spells.

One popular combo involving Curious Obsession is pairing it with other enchantments that provide similar benefits. For example, a player could enchant a creature with Path to Exile and then use Curious Obsession to boost the creature's power and toughness.

Token Generation

Curious Obsession can be used to generate tokens by enchanting creatures with other enchantments that provide token-generating effects.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Enchantress Archetype

The aura is a staple in enchantress decks, which focus on creating card advantage through enchantments. Players can use Curious Obsession to boost their creatures' power and toughness while generating card advantage.

Token Generation

Curious Obsession can be used to generate tokens by enchanting creatures with other enchantments that provide token-generating effects. This can be especially useful in token-heavy decks that focus on generating an army of small creatures.

Combo Pieces

Players can use the aura as a combo piece to create more complex and powerful combinations. For example, a player could enchant a creature with Spectral Procession and then use Curious Obsession to boost its power and toughness.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Curious Obsession has been banned in some formats due to its potential for abuse. However, it remains viable in many formats, including Modern and Commander.

In Modern, Curious Obsession is often played in midrange decks that focus on creating card advantage through enchantments. It can also be used in combo pieces to create more powerful combinations with other cards.

In Commander, Curious Obsession is a staple in enchantress archetypes, which focus on creating card advantage and generating tokens. The aura can also be used as a combo piece to create more complex and powerful combinations.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Stacking

When two or more effects trigger simultaneously, they are said to "stack" on top of each other. In the case of Curious Obsession's ability, it does not stack with other card-draw abilities.

Triggered Effects

Triggered effects, such as those from Sudden Death, do not interrupt the aura's effect when it triggers.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The art for Curious Obsession depicts a curious creature peeking into a book. The flavor text reads "The secrets of the universe are hidden within its pages." This suggests that the aura is granting its enchanted creatures access to hidden knowledge and abilities.

Curious Obsession was first released in 2003 as part of the Mirrodin set. It has been reprinted in various sets over the years, including Alara Reborn and Guildgates.

Conclusion Summary

In conclusion, Curious Obsession is a versatile enchantment-aura that provides a boost to enchanted creatures in terms of power and toughness. Its ability also allows players to draw cards whenever the enchanted creature deals combat damage to a player. However, it comes with a drawback: if no creature attacked this turn, the aura is sacrificed at the beginning of the next end step.

Curious Obsession can be used in various strategic ways depending on the player's strategy, including aggressive decks, midrange decks, and control decks. It can also fulfill deckbuilding roles such as enchantress archetype, token generation, and combo pieces.

While Curious Obsession has been banned in some formats due to its potential for abuse, it remains viable in many formats, including Modern and Commander. Its rules interactions are straightforward, with no stacking or interrupting effects from other card-draw abilities.

Overall, Curious Obsession is a powerful and versatile enchantment that can provide significant benefits to players who use it effectively.

Additional Considerations

• Synergies with Other Enchantments: Curious Obsession can be used in combination with other enchantments that provide similar benefits. For example, a player could enchant a creature with Medicate and then use Curious Obsession to boost its power and toughness.
• Token Generation: Curious Obsession can be used to generate tokens by enchanting creatures with other enchantments that provide token-generating effects.
• Combo Pieces: Players can use the aura as a combo piece to create more complex and powerful combinations. For example, a player could enchant a creature with Spectral Procession and then use Curious Obsession to boost its power and toughness.

By understanding how Curious Obsession works and its various strategic uses, players can incorporate it into their decks and take advantage of its benefits. Whether used in an aggressive deck, midrange deck, or control deck, Curious Obsession is a versatile enchantment that can provide significant benefits to players who use it effectively.