Cruel Witness MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 55
2022-01-28 - Number 322
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Horror |
| Abilities | Flying,Surveil |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card into your graveyard.)
"I escaped, so why do I still feel like I'm being watched?" —Gregel, militia leader
Cards like Cruel Witness
Cruel Witness finds its wings in the realm of flying creatures within MTG. Standing side-by-side with other four mana flying creatures, this card distinguishes itself with the adaptability of its triggered ability. For instance, Wind Drake is a staple comparison, both boasting the key flying feature, yet Wind Drake lacks any additional abilities, offering a simpler presence on the field.
Facing against Spire Monitor, another flying peer, Cruel Witness again showcases distinction. While Spire Monitor has flash, allowing for surprise plays, it doesn’t present the ongoing card advantage potential that Cruel Witness holds with its capacity to peek at the top card of your library when you receive another card.
Similarly, Towering-Wave Mystic offers an intriguing comparison. Although it shares the same mana cost and card interactions upon drawing, the Mystic falls short with the absence of flight, highlighting the tactical aerial superiority of Cruel Witness. In the vast skies of Magic: The Gathering, where creatures clash and strategies unfold, Cruel Witness glides a notch above with its blend of flight and card synergy.
Cards similar to Cruel Witness by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The prowess of Cruel Witness lies in its ability to not only serve as a respectable flying creature but also facilitate deck synergy by generating card advantage when you play the second spell each turn.
Resource Acceleration: In line with the strategic tempo of MTG gameplay, cycling through your deck rapidly can tremendously accelerate your resources, positioning you steps ahead of the opponent by drawing into more advantageous cards sooner.
Instant Speed: The inherent advantage of playing at instant speed is embodied in the Cruel Witness design. By engaging with your spells during an opponent’s turn, Cruel Witness potentially strengthens while you’re effectively managing resources and keeping threats at bay, offering strategic flexibility inherent to the flash mechanic.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging in combat with Cruel Witness necessitates discarding a card to harness its ability. This condition can undermine your hand, especially if you’re in a pinch with a scant selection of cards, potentially obstructing your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Cruel Witness demands a precise blend of mana colors, restricting its play to decks that can reliably meet its blue mana requirement. This limitation can be a stumbling block in color-flexible deck constructions.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that leans towards the steeper end, you might find Cruel Witness taxing your mana resources—an aspect savvy players weigh considering alternative creatures or spells that pack a similar punch with leaner mana demands.
Reasons to Include Cruel Witness in Your Collection
Versatility: Cruel Witness is a flexible addition to any blue-focused deck. Its ability to fly gives it an edge over ground-based creatures, allowing for consistent aerial attacks that can be hard to block.
Combo Potential: With flying as a key feature, Cruel Witness can work well with strategies that capitalize on creatures with evasion. Also, its potential to draw a card when it attacks adds to a deck’s card advantage, synergizing with draw-heavy gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment where card draw and evasion are valued, this card provides a dual threat. Not only can it press the advantage in the air, but it also helps maintain card flow, keeping your hand replenished against control opponents.
How to beat
Cruel Witness emerges from the depths of the latest sets to join the roster of compelling flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to grow stronger with every new spell you cast makes it an escalating threat if left unchecked. Standing strong against this card requires strategic planning and timely action.
One effective method is tackling the Witness before it ramps up in power. Removal spells like Doom Blade or instant-speed interactions such as Negate provide a swift response to neutralize it before it can influence the battlefield. Another approach is managing the skies – deploying your own flyers to block and counter this airborne peril. Additionally, preventing spell casting can stunt Cruel Witness’s growth, making cards like Rule of Law or Damping Sphere handy tools to keep its power in check.
Adapting to the card’s potential to change the tide of battle is essential. By predicting its appearance and preparing answers in your deck, you can diminish the impact of Cruel Witness. Strike a careful balance between control and board presence, and you can maintain dominance over this aerial menace in your MTG games.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cruel Witness MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Cruel Witness and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Cruel Witness Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Vincent Proce.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 322 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cruel Witness has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cruel Witness card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | If you don't put the card into your graveyard, it stays on top of your library. |