Curse of ChainsHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Curse of Chains is a specialized enchantment that attaches to a creature on the battlefield. Its primary function is a triggered ability that fires at the beginning of each player's upkeep step. When this trigger resolves, the creature it is attached to becomes tapped, effectively preventing it from being used as an attacker or utilizing abilities that require it to tap.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast Curse of Chains by paying its mana cost and choosing a target creature. Once it enters the battlefield and attaches to that creature, the game waits for the next upkeep step to begin. At the start of every upkeep—both yours and your opponent's—the Curse's ability triggers and goes on the stack. When the ability resolves, the enchanted creature is tapped. If the creature was already tapped, the ability resolves but has no further effect.

Common Mistakes

A frequent misconception is that Curse of Chains prevents a creature from untapping during the untap step. It does not. The creature will still untap normally, but because the Curse triggers in the very next step (the upkeep), the creature is tapped again before the opponent has a chance to declare it as an attacker. Another mistake is forgetting that it triggers on your own turn as well, which can be relevant if you enchant your own creature for specific synergies.

When to Play It

This card is best used against high-power creatures that lack vigilance. Since it triggers every upkeep, it is an excellent tool for locking down a commander or a large threat in multiplayer games. Because it costs hybrid mana, it fits easily into both mono-white and mono-blue decks as a reliable form of soft removal.

Interaction examples

Stacking Upkeep Triggers

Mystic Remora

If you control both Mystic Remora and a creature enchanted by Curse of Chains, both triggers go on the stack at the beginning of your upkeep. You can choose the order in which they resolve. You could resolve the Curse of Chains trigger first to tap your creature, and then resolve the Cumulative Upkeep for Mystic Remora to decide if you want to pay the mana cost.

Managing Opponent Responses

Rhystic Study

When you cast Curse of Chains, if an opponent controls Rhystic Study, their Study will trigger. You must decide whether to pay the extra {1} mana. If you don't, they draw a card. After that resolves, Curse of Chains enters the battlefield. On the following upkeep, the Curse will trigger to tap the targeted creature, regardless of the Rhystic Study interaction that happened during the casting phase.