Curse of DisturbanceHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Curse of Disturbance is an Aura Curse that attaches to a player. Whenever that enchanted player is attacked by one or more creatures, the Curse's ability triggers. The controller of the Curse creates a 2/2 black Zombie creature token. Additionally, every opponent of the enchanted player who is currently attacking them also creates a 2/2 black Zombie creature token. This effect only triggers once per combat phase, regardless of how many creatures are declared as attackers.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, the active player declares attackers. If at least one creature is declared as an attacker against the enchanted player, the Curse of Disturbance ability triggers and goes on the stack. When the ability resolves, the game checks who the controller of the Curse is and who the attacking players are. The controller creates their Zombie first. Then, any other player who is an opponent of the enchanted player and has creatures attacking that player also creates a Zombie token. Note that if you enchant yourself, you still get a Zombie when others attack you!

Common Mistakes

A frequent misunderstanding involves planeswalkers; the ability does not trigger if a player attacks a planeswalker controlled by the enchanted player. It only triggers if the player themselves is the target of the attack. Furthermore, the ability only triggers once during the Declare Attackers step. You do not get a Zombie for every single creature that attacks; you get one Zombie total per combat phase. Finally, if all attacking creatures are removed from combat before the ability resolves, only the controller of the Curse gets a Zombie.

When to Play It

This Curse is best utilized in multiplayer formats like Commander to paint a target on a leading opponent. It provides you with consistent blockers or attackers while incentivizing your other opponents to send their creatures toward the enchanted player instead of you. It synergizes well with decks that benefit from having a high number of permanents or creature tokens entering the battlefield.

Interaction examples

The First Strike

Zombie

You enchant Player B with Curse of Disturbance. On Player C's turn, they attack Player B with two creatures. The Curse triggers. You (the controller) create one 2/2 black Zombie token, and Player C (the attacking opponent) also creates one 2/2 black Zombie token.

Building an Engine

Black Market Connections

While Black Market Connections helps you build resources like Treasure and Shapeshifters at the cost of life, Curse of Disturbance provides a way to generate defensive 2/2 Zombie tokens without spending life. By enchanting an opponent who is likely to be attacked, you ensure a steady stream of blockers to protect your life total while your other enchantments generate value.

Self-Enchantment Strategy

Phyrexian Arena

If you are using Phyrexian Arena to draw cards and your life total is dropping, you might enchant yourself with Curse of Disturbance. When an opponent attacks you, the Curse triggers. Even though you are the enchanted player, you are the controller of the Curse, so you create a 2/2 Zombie token to help defend yourself against future attacks.