Infectious Bloodlust is a powerful common enchantment that synergizes well with aggressive strategies. Its primary strength lies in its ability to grant haste and +2/+1 to the enchanted creature, allowing it to attack each combat if able.

Key benefits:

• Provides significant power boost to a single target
• Enables the creature to attack on every turn
• Offers a potential repeat play opportunity through its death trigger

In Commander decks, Infectious Bloodlust is often paired with creatures like Goblin Rabblemaster, Boros Charm, or Krenko, Mob Boss to create explosive tempo swings. Its versatility also makes it a good fit for Rakdos, Lord of Riots-based decks.

Infectious Bloodlust is an Enchantment - Aura that provides a substantial boost to the creature it's attached to. The card's effects are straightforward, but its implications in Commander games can be significant.

When Infectious Bloodlust enfeebles a creature, it grants that creature a 2/+1 boost, giving it increased power and toughness. This is particularly noteworthy for creatures with already formidable stats, as it can turn them into formidable threats on the battlefield. The card also provides haste to the enchanted creature, allowing it to attack immediately during the combat phase.

One notable edge case involves creatures with the ability to "attack each combat if able" or similar phrasing. Cards like Griselbrand or Emrakul, the Aeons Torn will take advantage of Infectious Bloodlust's haste and attacking ability, potentially creating chaos on the battlefield.

When an enchanted creature dies, Infectious Bloodlust triggers a unique ability that allows its controller to search their library for another copy of the card. The revealed Infectious Bloodlust is then put into play, enabling the possibility of cascading effects as multiple copies are triggered. This interaction can be particularly impactful in Commander games where libraries can become large and complex.

Infectious Bloodlust's interactions with other cards are also worth noting. For instance, cards like Sylvan Caryatid or Wrenn and Six Unicorns can create an advantage by allowing the controller to draw additional cards while Infectious Bloodlust is in play.

Infectious Bloodlust is a versatile and impactful enchantment that can significantly influence the board in Commander. Its ability to grant a +2/+1 boost, haste, and mandatory attacking makes it an attractive option for red-based decks focused on aggressive play.

This card fits neatly into various archetypes, including:

• Ramp Aggro: Infectious Bloodlust's haste and power increase can turn even the most underwhelming creatures into formidable attackers. Cards like Sylvan Caryatid or Arcane Signet can help accelerate mana development to maximize its impact.
• Token Generation: With its ability to force attacking, Infectious Bloodlust pairs well with token-producing strategies that flood the board with low-toughness creatures. Fervent Strike and Mogg Fanatic are prime examples of tokens that benefit from this enchantment's influence.
• Red Sacrifice: When combined with cards like Swords to Plowshares or Griselbrand, Infectious Bloodlust can create a sacrificial attack plan, leveraging its ability to reanimate itself when the enchanted creature dies.

Infectious Bloodlust operates primarily as an aggressive support card. Its benefits are most pronounced on the battlefield during combat phases, where it amplifies attacking creatures and pressures opponents to defend. This effect also contributes to its value in token decks or red sacrifice strategies, where sacrificing tokens is a common play pattern.

As a relatively low-cost enchantment with a moderate mana cost (2R), Infectious Bloodlust offers an accessible way for players to introduce powerful, game-changing effects without breaking the bank. Its versatility and potential impact make it a popular choice in various Commander lists, often serving as a linchpin for aggressive playstyles that focus on generating value through direct damage or token creation.

Infectious Bloodlust is a potent aura that can significantly influence combat dynamics. Its primary effect of granting haste and +2/+1 to the enchanted creature makes it an attractive option for aggressive decks.

Synergies with Other Cards

• Ghastly Conscription: Pairing Infectious Blood Lust with Ghastly Conscription allows for a turn-3 or 4 5/3 token or larger creature, which can be quite formidable.
• Fervent Strike: When combined with Fervent Strike, the enchanted creature's increased power and haste make it nearly unstoppable on combat.

Defensive Considerations

While Infectious Bloodlust excels at creating aggressive threats, its "search for itself" effect when the enchanted creature dies offers a tactical opportunity. This can be leveraged in various ways:

• Recursion: By targeting a token or a low-toughness creature and then sacrificing it to search for another Infectious Bloodlust, you can create an infinite loop of recursion. However, this strategy relies heavily on having access to multiple copies.
• Game-Saving: In dire situations, using the "search" ability allows for potentially game-changing plays by pulling a crucial card.

Strategic Placement

Given its power and potential for recursion, Infectious Bloodlust can be strategically placed in several ways:

• Early Game Aggression: It's particularly effective when attached to an early-game creature, as it immediately provides a boost to the attacking force.
• Late Game Turnaround: In situations where your game is on the backfoot, using its ability to pull it back into play can be a powerful move.

Interactions with Other Cards

• Aura Shattered: Since Infectious Bloodlust is an aura, cards like Aura Shattered can remove it from play. This should always be considered when planning.
• Surgical Removal: Targeting the enchanted creature (not the aura) and removing it can neutralize the effects of Infectious Bloodlust.

Infectious Bloodlust's flexibility in combat situations makes it a valuable addition to aggressive decks, especially those with tokens or creatures capable of dealing damage. Its recursive nature adds depth to gameplay and strategic planning.

Infectious Bloodlust: Common Mistakes and Misplays

When playing Infectious Bloodlust in Commander, several common mistakes can be made. Here are some key issues to watch out for:

• Misunderstood Rules: The Oracle Text states that the enchanted creature attacks each combat if able. However, this often leads players to assume that the creature will attack every turn, regardless of its power and toughness. In reality, the creature's ability only triggers if it has a higher power or is otherwise able to attack.
• Poor Synergies: Infectious Bloodlust seems like an ideal combination with cards that gain advantage from attacking, such as [[Molten Egg». However, this synergy falls apart when considering the card's actual impact. The +2/+1 boost and haste are useful, but the creature still needs to be able to attack in order for the ability to trigger.
• Overextension: Infectious Bloodlust's ability to search your library for a copy of itself can lead players to overextend their board presence. It's essential to remember that this is a secondary effect and should not take priority over other gameplan considerations.

When timing issues arise, be cautious when enchanting a creature with Infectious Bloodlust during the main phase of combat. This can inadvertently cause the enchanted creature to attack immediately, rather than waiting for the next combat step.

By being aware of these common mistakes, players can refine their strategy and make more informed decisions when playing Infectious Bloodlust in Commander.

Final Evaluation

Infectious Bloodlust is a powerful and versatile common enchantment that offers significant value in Commander decks. Its ability to grant haste, +2/+1, and mandatory attacking makes it an attractive option for aggressive playstyles. The card's recursive nature allows for potential infinite loops of recursion, making it a valuable addition to token generation and red sacrifice strategies.

When to Consider Including Infectious Bloodlust

Infectious Bloodlust is best suited for Commander decks that focus on aggressive play, particularly those with tokens or creatures capable of dealing direct damage. Its benefits are most pronounced in the early game, where its ability to grant haste and +2/+1 can turn underwhelming creatures into formidable attackers.

Why Players Should Consider Including Infectious Bloodlust

Infectious Bloodlust offers several key benefits that make it a valuable addition to any aggressive Commander deck:

• Significant Power Boost: The card's ability to grant +2/+1 and haste makes it an attractive option for creatures with already formidable stats.
• Versatility: Infectious Bloodlust can be paired with a variety of cards, including tokens, red sacrifice strategies, and token generation.
• Recursive Nature: The card's ability to search its library for another copy when the enchanted creature dies offers a potential game-changing play opportunity.

Conclusion

Infectious Bloodlust is a powerful common enchantment that offers significant value in Commander decks. Its versatility and recursive nature make it an attractive option for aggressive playstyles, particularly those with tokens or creatures capable of dealing direct damage. Players should consider including Infectious Bloodlust in their deck if they are looking to introduce powerful, game-changing effects without breaking the bank.