ArchnemesisHow it works & interactions with other cards

Choosing Your Victim

When you cast Archnemesis, you must choose an opponent to enchant. Unlike most Auras that target creatures, this attaches directly to a player. Once attached, it sets up a triggered ability that fires whenever you declare an attack against that specific player. Note that this ability only triggers once per combat phase regardless of how many creatures you send at them, as long as at least one creature is attacking that player.

The Step-by-Step Resolve

First, you enter your declare attackers step and choose the enchanted player as the defender for one or more creatures. Second, the Archnemesis triggered ability is put onto the stack. Third, when the ability resolves, the enchanted player loses 2 life, and you simultaneously draw a card and gain 2 life. This all happens before blockers are even declared, ensuring you get your resources early in the combat phase.

Shifting the Blame

Archnemesis features a unique defensive trigger. If any player (including the one already enchanted) attacks you, a separate ability triggers. Upon resolution, you may choose to move Archnemesis from its current host to the player who just attacked you. This allows the enchantment to follow the most immediate threat on the board, potentially setting you up to recoup the life lost from their attack on your following turn.

When to Play Archnemesis

This card is best utilized in a multiplayer setting where you want to incentivize your opponents to leave you alone. By attaching it to the player with the highest life total, you create a path to victory that keeps your hand full. It is especially potent in control shells that need to maintain high life totals while digging through their deck for answers.

Interaction examples

Maintaining Card Advantage

Rhystic Study

With Rhystic Study on the battlefield and Archnemesis enchanting an opponent, you create a massive resource gap. If they cast spells to catch up, Rhystic Study draws you cards; if you attack them, Archnemesis draws you cards and heals you. If they attack you to remove your Rhystic Study pressure, Archnemesis can be re-attached to them, ensuring they remain the target of your future drain effects.

Managing Life Totals

Phyrexian Arena

Phyrexian Arena is a powerful draw engine but its life loss can become dangerous over time. By enchanting an opponent with Archnemesis and attacking them each turn, the 2 life you gain from the trigger perfectly offsets the 1 life lost from the Arena's upkeep trigger, effectively netting you two extra cards per turn cycle while staying at a healthy life total.