Inkfathom Witch MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Wizard
Abilities Fear
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Inkfathom Witch can quickly turn a board of creatures into significant threats, enhancing aggressive strategies.
  2. Dual-color demand locks its use to specific deck builds, which may not suit all strategies.
  3. Versatile in rogue decks, its unique ability synergizes with evasion-centric strategies.

Text of card

Fear : Each unblocked creature becomes 4/1 until end of turn.

The murk of the Wanderbrine concealed unseemly rituals designed to bring out the worst in merrowkind.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Inkfathom Witch presents a unique advantage as it transforms any number of untapped creatures you control into potential threats, effectively utilizing each creature to its fullest without the need for additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, the Witch’s ability to upgrade your creatures’ power for a modest fee can accelerate the pace at which you overwhelm opponents, conserving resources for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: Its activated ability can be used at instant speed, providing a surprise element during combat. This can turn the tables in a tight match, making it a critical component of reactive gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Inkfathom Witch requires you to manage your creature base cautiously. While it has the potential to boost your creatures’ power, the necessity to have a consistent board presence to capitalize on its ability can be problematic, especially against decks with mass removal spells.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both blue and black mana, forcing a commitment to a dimir color pair which may not always sync with your deck’s strategy. Having a dual-color mana base is crucial, and can often challenge deck flexibility and consistency, particularly in formats with restrictive mana pools.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Inkfathom Witch’s activated ability incurs a seemingly moderate fee but it’s indeed costly when you aim for a wide board stat enhancement. In some scenarios, you might find that allocating four mana to pump your team could hinder your ability to play other spells or leave mana open for crucial interactions, suggesting there are alternative cards that might serve a more efficient purpose for less mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Inkfathom Witch can slip easily into a variety of blue and black decks, especially those focusing on stealth or unblockable creatures. Its ability to turn an unassuming board of creatures into threatening 4/1s allows for flexible and often unexpected game plays.

Combo Potential: This Witch works wonders with proliferate mechanics or any strategy that seeks to amass a high number of creatures. It’s not just a stand-alone threat; it amplifies the potential of your entire field, making it a key piece in numerous synergistic puzzles.

Meta-Relevance: With its unique Fear ability, Inkfathom Witch remains relevant in metas where evasion is crucial. If your opponents are heavy on ground-pounders and light on blockers with shadow or fear, the Witch can swing in for significant damage, catching them off guard and tilting the tide in your favor.


How to beat Inkfathom Witch

Inkfathom Witch poses a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to turn your entire board of unblockable creatures into threatening agents with its formidable power-boosting ability. To outmaneuver this strategic card, it’s crucial to prioritize removal spells. Instant-speed options like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch the Witch before the ability is activated, thus protecting your life total from a surprise onslaught.

Counterplay can also be effective. By controlling the board and keeping pressure on your opponent, you can limit their opportunities to take advantage of Inkfathom Witch’s potent ability. Employ tactics that either tap down or exile creatures, preventing a buildup of threats that the Witch could make use of later in the game. Finally, watch for timing windows to disrupt your opponent’s plans. Strategic players keep a sharp eye on when to unsettle the Witch’s influence, and respond swiftly with spells or abilities to ensure it never becomes an insurmountable threat.

Remember, adapting to the dynamics of the game is key. By analyzing the situation, maintaining control, and utilizing your resources effectively, you can neutralize Inkfathom Witch as a factor and tilt the scales in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the enigmatic depths of MTG, where strategy meets opportunity. Inkfathom Witch isn’t just a standalone card but a potential pivot point in your deck’s dynamics. Balancing its cons with pros like instant-speed activation and versatile upgrades for your creatures can forge new paths to victory. Understand that every card in your collection holds a narrative of power, synergy, and adaptation. Embrace the ongoing evolution of your deck with Inkfathom Witch, learning from both its strengths and its limitations. Eager to master this blending of finesse and force? Journey with us to unravel more strategies and refine your gameplay to a razor’s edge.


Cards like Inkfathom Witch

Inkfathom Witch is a unique creature that offers players of Magic: The Gathering a strategic advantage in certain deck builds. It shares a conceptual space with other game-changers like Oona’s Blackguard and Frogtosser Banneret, which also provide benefits to the rogue creature-type. Inkfathom Witch itself possesses a formidable activated ability, allowing each unblocked creature you control to have its base power and toughness become 4/1 until the end of the turn. This ability can turn a swarm of small, evasive creatures into a significant threat quickly.

Comparably, Oona’s Blackguard grants your other Rogue creatures a bonus whenever they deal combat damage to a player, resulting in card advantage. Frogtosser Banneret, meanwhile, reduces the cost of your Rogue spells, making it easier to flood the battlefield with creatures that can suddenly become lethal with the Witch’s ability. While these cards have different implications for deck building and playstyle, the synergy they present with the rogue strategy makes them interesting to compare and offers diverse tactics to the rogue tribe.

Ultimately, Inkfathom Witch’s potential to dramatically shift the power dynamics on the battlefield makes it a valuable asset in MTG, particularly when compared to cards that similarly benefit Rogue-themed decks.

Oona's Blackguard - MTG Card versions
Frogtosser Banneret - MTG Card versions
Oona's Blackguard - Gateway 2008 (PG08)
Frogtosser Banneret - Morningtide (MOR)

Cards similar to Inkfathom Witch by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Hypnotist - MTG Card versions
Metathran Zombie - MTG Card versions
Dimir Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Dimir Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Zombie Outlander - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hibernation Sliver - MTG Card versions
Woodlot Crawler - MTG Card versions
Returned Phalanx - MTG Card versions
Shipwreck Singer - MTG Card versions
Disciple of Deceit - MTG Card versions
Fathom Feeder - MTG Card versions
House Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Soul Diviner - MTG Card versions
Cunning Nightbonder - MTG Card versions
Sygg, River Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Inkfathom Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Krydle of Baldur's Gate - MTG Card versions
Cavern Harpy - MTG Card versions
Lazotep Chancellor - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Hypnotist - Invasion (INV)
Metathran Zombie - Invasion (INV)
Dimir Infiltrator - Planechase Anthology (PCA)
Dimir Guildmage - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Zombie Outlander - Conflux (CON)
Vedalken Ghoul - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Hibernation Sliver - Commander Masters (CMM)
Woodlot Crawler - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Returned Phalanx - Masters 25 (A25)
Shipwreck Singer - Theros (THS)
Disciple of Deceit - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Fathom Feeder - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)
House Guildmage - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Soul Diviner - War of the Spark (WAR)
Cunning Nightbonder - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Sygg, River Cutthroat - The List (PLST)
Inkfathom Infiltrator - The List (PLST)
Krydle of Baldur's Gate - The List (PLST)
Cavern Harpy - The List (PLST)
Lazotep Chancellor - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Inkfathom Witch MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Planechase 2012, 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 Inkfathom Witch and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Inkfathom Witch Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Larry MacDougall.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-05-02ShadowmoorSHM 1682003normalblackLarry MacDougall
22012-06-01Planechase 2012PC2 972003normalblackLarry MacDougall
32016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 972015normalblackLarry MacDougall
42022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 3422015normalblackLarry MacDougall

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Inkfathom Witch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Inkfathom Witch card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2008-05-01 An “unblocked creature” is a creature that attacked and wasn't blocked. Creatures aren't “blocked” or “unblocked” until the declare blockers step, so activating this ability before then (or after combat ends) will have no effect.
2008-05-01 Creatures stop being unblocked as the combat phase ends. However, they'll stay 4/1 until turn ends.
2008-05-01 If Inkfathom Witch is attacking and unblocked, it can make itself 4/1.
2008-05-01 Inkfathom Witch doesn't cause creatures to lose their abilities.
2009-10-01 The effect from the ability overwrites other effects that set power and/or toughness if and only if those effects existed before the ability resolved. It will not overwrite effects that modify power or toughness (whether from a static ability, counters, or a resolved spell or ability), nor will it overwrite effects that set power and toughness which come into existence after the ability resolves. Effects that switch the creature's power and toughness are always applied after any other power or toughness changing effects, including this one, regardless of the order in which they are created.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks