Auntie Ool, Cursewretch has ward, and whenever one or more -1/-1 counters are put on a creature she draws you a card if you control it, or makes its controller lose 1 life if you do not. Every blight, every wither hit and every counter you drop on an opposing creature is worth something. The more often counters hit the table, the better the deck runs.

The precon already has plenty of payoffs and sweepers. Each swap below pairs a cut with an add, and every card is scored with the same numbers the Oracle uses to build decks: synergy and inclusion from the Auntie Ool decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in Auntie Ool decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Blight Curse precon guide.

12
Swaps
$23.90
Cost of the adds
39→37
Lands
21→37
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Too much generic card draw

Hoarder's Greed, Cathartic Reunion, Harmonize, Painful Truths, Night's Whisper and Burning Curiosity are six sorceries whose only job is to draw or impulse cards. Auntie Ool draws a card every time a counter lands on a creature you control, so the deck makes its own. Three of them are cut below for cards that put counters on the table.

Not enough ways to make counters

Dread Tiller, Skinrender and Hapatra put counters on creatures, but the deck has few cheap, repeatable sources: a creature that blights every turn, a way to proliferate, or an enchantment that rewards each counter with a body. Several of the adds fill exactly that gap.

The top end is heavy

Ten nonland cards cost six or more, including Grave Titan, Ferrafor, Liliana, Chimil and Grim Poppet, and the deck also plays 39 lands plus Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Commander's Sphere, Ignoble Hierarch, Devoted Druid and Channeler Initiate. Swapping some of that top end for two-drops makes the counters start flowing on turn two.

The 12 swaps

Each pair shows the numbers for the card coming out and the card going in. Click a card image to zoom.

Swap 1 of 12
Grave Titan
Cut
Grave Titan
Creature — Giant · 4BB
Inclusion13%
Synergy10%
Lift3.9×
Oracle score 11
Nest of Scarabs
Add
Nest of Scarabs
Enchantment · 2B
Inclusion67%
Synergy60%
Lift6.4×
Oracle score 63

Grave Titan is a strong card in a vacuum: a 6/6 deathtouch that makes two Zombies when it enters and whenever it attacks. But it costs {4}{B}{B}, does nothing with counters, and only about one Auntie Ool deck in eight plays it.

Nest of Scarabs costs {2}{B} and makes a 1/1 Insect for every -1/-1 counter you put on a creature. Every blight, every counter from Skinrender or Dread Tiller and every wither hit becomes bodies, and those bodies are fresh targets for your next blight.

Swap 2 of 12
Hoarder's Greed
Cut
Hoarder's Greed
Sorcery · 3B
Inclusion14%
Synergy13%
Lift6.6×
Oracle score 14
Obelisk Spider
Add
Obelisk Spider
Creature — Spider · 1BG
Inclusion62%
Synergy56%
Lift6.3×
Oracle score 59

Hoarder's Greed costs four mana, loses you 2 life and draws two, then clashes to repeat. It is fine, but this deck draws cards on its own.

Obelisk Spider is a 1/4 reach for {1}{B}{G} that puts a -1/-1 counter on any creature it damages in combat, and each time you put counters on a creature, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1. A sturdy blocker that grinds creatures down and triggers Auntie Ool when it connects.

Swap 3 of 12
Cathartic Reunion
Cut
Cathartic Reunion
Sorcery · 1R
Inclusion19%
Synergy14%
Lift3.4×
Oracle score 16
Scuzzback Scrounger
Add
Scuzzback Scrounger
Creature — Goblin Warrior · 1R
Inclusion56%
Synergy48%
Lift7.2×
Oracle score 52

Cathartic Reunion makes you discard two cards to draw three. That is a one-card gain at best, and Auntie Ool is already your engine.

Scuzzback Scrounger is a 3/2 for {1}{R}. At the beginning of your first main phase you may blight 1, and if you do you create a Treasure. Blighting your own creature puts a -1/-1 counter on it, so Auntie Ool draws you a card as well: a card and a Treasure every turn for a two-drop.

Swap 4 of 12
Harmonize
Cut
Harmonize
Sorcery · 2GG
Inclusion25%
Synergy19%
Lift3.7×
Oracle score 21
Dawnhand Dissident
Add
Dawnhand Dissident
Creature — Elf Warlock · B
Inclusion49%
Synergy43%
Lift7.6×
Oracle score 45

Harmonize is four mana to draw three cards, with nothing else on the card.

Dawnhand Dissident costs just {B}. {T}, blight 1: surveil 1. Each activation puts a counter on one of your creatures, which draws you a card with Auntie Ool out. {T}, blight 2 exiles a card from a graveyard, and you can later cast creature cards you own that it exiled by removing three counters from among your creatures.

Swap 5 of 12
Commander's Sphere
Cut
Commander's Sphere
Artifact · 3
Inclusion25%
Synergy17%
Lift3.0×
Oracle score 20
Grim Affliction
Add
Grim Affliction
Instant · 2B
Inclusion29%
Synergy26%
Lift5.7×
Oracle score 27

Commander's Sphere is a three-mana rock in a deck that already has Sol Ring, Arcane Signet and three mana creatures.

Grim Affliction is an instant for {2}{B}: put a -1/-1 counter on a creature, then proliferate. One counter becomes several, and every creature that gains a counter is another Auntie Ool trigger. It also kills small creatures outright.

Swap 6 of 12
Ferrafor, Young Yew
Cut
Ferrafor, Young Yew
Legendary Creature — Treefolk Druid · 6G
Inclusion27%
Synergy23%
Lift6.3×
Oracle score 24
Ammit Eternal
Add
Ammit Eternal
Creature — Zombie Crocodile Demon · 2B
Inclusion23%
Synergy21%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 22

Ferrafor costs seven mana. It creates Saprolings equal to the number of counters among a player's creatures and can double the counters on a creature, but you need it to survive a turn to untap with it.

Ammit Eternal is a 5/5 for {2}{B} with afflict 3. Each time an opponent casts a spell it gets a -1/-1 counter, and because you control it, Auntie Ool draws you a card every time. When it connects with a player, all the counters come off and it resets.

Swap 7 of 12
Chimil, the Inner Sun
Cut
Chimil, the Inner Sun
Legendary Artifact · 6
Inclusion27%
Synergy24%
Lift5.9×
Oracle score 25
Soul Immolation
Add
Soul Immolation
Sorcery · 3RR
Inclusion33%
Synergy27%
Lift5.7×
Oracle score 29

Chimil is the most expensive card in the deck at about $8. It costs six, makes your spells uncounterable and discovers 5 at your end step, with no board presence and no counters.

Soul Immolation costs {3}{R}{R}. As an additional cost you blight X (X can't be greater than the greatest toughness among your creatures), then it deals X damage to each opponent and each creature they control. A one-sided sweep that also puts X counters on your creature, which draws you a card.

Swap 8 of 12
Liliana, Death Wielder
Cut
Liliana, Death Wielder
Legendary Planeswalker — Liliana · 5BB
Inclusion22%
Synergy20%
Lift5.6×
Oracle score 21
Gristle Glutton
Add
Gristle Glutton
Creature — Goblin Scout · 1R
Inclusion20%
Synergy17%
Lift7.9×
Oracle score 18

Liliana is a seven-mana planeswalker whose +2 puts a -1/-1 counter on a creature and whose -3 destroys a creature with one. It fits the theme, but seven mana is a lot for a deck whose engine works best on turn two.

Gristle Glutton is a 1/3 for {1}{R}: {T}, blight 1: discard a card, and if you do, draw a card. Each activation is a loot plus an Auntie Ool trigger, so you come out ahead on cards every time.

Swap 9 of 12
Terramorphic Expanse
Cut
Terramorphic Expanse
Land
Inclusion43%
Synergy13%
Lift1.4×
Oracle score 25
Shadow Urchin
Add
Shadow Urchin
Creature — Ouphe · 2B/R
Inclusion22%
Synergy19%
Lift7.7×
Oracle score 20

This is the first of two land-for-spell swaps. Terramorphic Expanse sacrifices itself to put a basic land onto the battlefield tapped, and the deck already has 39 lands, so it can drop to 37.

Shadow Urchin is a 3/4 for {2}{B/R} that blights 1 whenever it attacks. When a creature you control with counters on it dies, you exile that many cards from the top of your library and may play them until your next end step, which turns your blighted creatures into card advantage when they die.

Swap 10 of 12
Evolving Wilds
Cut
Evolving Wilds
Land
Inclusion46%
Synergy12%
Lift1.3×
Oracle score 26
Blight Rot
Add
Blight Rot
Instant · 2B
Inclusion21%
Synergy17%
Lift5.2×
Oracle score 18

The second land-for-spell swap. Evolving Wilds does the same thing as Terramorphic Expanse, a tapped basic, and the deck has plenty of fixing without it.

Blight Rot costs {2}{B} at instant speed and puts four -1/-1 counters on a creature. That kills nearly anything, and because the counters land on an opposing creature, its controller loses 1 life from Auntie Ool as well.

Swap 11 of 12
Archfiend of Ifnir
Cut
Archfiend of Ifnir
Creature — Demon · 3BB
Inclusion26%
Synergy23%
Lift6.2×
Oracle score 24
Generous Patron
Add
Generous Patron
Creature — Elf Advisor · 2G
Inclusion50%
Synergy45%
Lift6.0×
Oracle score 47

Archfiend of Ifnir is a 5/4 flier for {3}{B}{B} that puts a -1/-1 counter on each opposing creature whenever you cycle or discard. It is played in about one Auntie Ool deck in four.

Generous Patron is a 1/4 Elf Advisor for {2}{G}. When it enters you support 2, putting a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two other creatures, and whenever you put counters on a creature you do not control you draw a card. A cheap body that spreads counters and draws.

Swap 12 of 12
Cathartic Pyre
Cut
Cathartic Pyre
Instant · 1R
Inclusion27%
Synergy25%
Lift6.3×
Oracle score 26
Persistent Constrictor
Add
Persistent Constrictor
Creature — Zombie Snake · 4B
Inclusion40%
Synergy36%
Lift5.9×
Oracle score 38

Cathartic Pyre is an instant that deals 3 damage or lets you loot. It is played in about one Auntie Ool deck in four.

Persistent Constrictor is a 5/3 Zombie Snake for {4}{B} with persist. At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep they lose 1 life and you put a -1/-1 counter on up to one creature they control. Auntie Ool drains for every counter on a creature you do not control, and persist brings it back.

The full swap list

Cut

  • Grave Titan
  • Hoarder's Greed
  • Cathartic Reunion
  • Harmonize
  • Commander's Sphere
  • Ferrafor, Young Yew
  • Chimil, the Inner Sun
  • Liliana, Death Wielder
  • Terramorphic Expanse
  • Evolving Wilds
  • Archfiend of Ifnir
  • Cathartic Pyre

Add

  • Nest of Scarabs
  • Obelisk Spider
  • Scuzzback Scrounger
  • Dawnhand Dissident
  • Grim Affliction
  • Ammit Eternal
  • Soul Immolation
  • Gristle Glutton
  • Shadow Urchin
  • Blight Rot
  • Generous Patron
  • Persistent Constrictor

What to keep

These cards are doing the deck's heavy lifting. Do not cut them.

If you want to spend more

These are strong but sit outside a budget upgrade. Prices are the cheapest paper printing.

The verdict

Blight Curse's removal and counter payoffs are already close to what players build: the cards it plays most, Black Sun's Zenith, Hapatra, Blowfly Infestation and Necroskitter, are in around nine Auntie Ool decks out of ten. The upgrade is not a new core but more cheap ways to make counters, fewer six- and seven-drops and no generic card draw. These twelve swaps cost under $15 in total and keep the deck's identity intact.

Want a full 100-card list built around Auntie Ool, Cursewretch from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Blight Curse precon?

Using data from 20,560 Auntie Ool decks, the highest-scoring additions are Nest of Scarabs (for Grave Titan), Obelisk Spider (for Hoarder's Greed) and Scuzzback Scrounger (for Cathartic Reunion). The full list has 12 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Blight Curse?

All 12 swaps cost about $23.90 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-10-27). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers Yawgmoth, Thran Physician ($24.49) and Contagion Engine ($13.10).

What should I cut from Blight Curse?

The weakest cards for this commander are Grave Titan, Hoarder's Greed and Cathartic Reunion. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Blight Curse?

Keep Black Sun's Zenith, Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons, Necroskitter, The Scorpion God and Massacre Girl, Known Killer. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does Auntie Ool do?

Auntie Ool, Cursewretch has ward, and whenever one or more -1/-1 counters are put on a creature she draws you a card if you control it, or makes its controller lose 1 life if you do not. Every blight, every wither hit and every counter you drop on an opposing creature is worth something. The more often counters hit the table, the better the deck runs.

More Lorwyn Eclipsed Commander upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of Auntie Ool, Cursewretch decks (20,560 of them when this was written, 2026-10-27) that play the card. Synergy is how much more often they play it than other decks in the same colours. Oracle score is synergy × 0.6 plus inclusion × 0.4, the same blend The Oracle uses to rank cards for a deck. Lift compares how often the card appears in these decks with how often it could, capped at 8× here; it is shown for context and does not change the score.

Two cautions. Players who run the precon unmodified count as Auntie Ool decks, which flatters every card the precon contains. Lift runs high for nearly every Lorwyn Eclipsed card because those cards are new and rarely played outside Auntie Ool decks, so use lift to compare cards, not to judge one in isolation. Prices are the cheapest non-foil paper printing on TCGplayer (via Scryfall), in USD, and move daily.