Vraska the Unseen MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Vraska
Loyalty 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Vraska’s -3 ability destroys nonland permanents, offering significant control and card advantage.
  2. Assassin tokens with her ultimate can force opponents to deal with them or lose the game.
  3. Casting Vraska requires strategic resource planning due to her specific mana demands.

Text of card

+1: Until your next turn, whenever a creature deals combat damage to Vraska the Unseen, destroy that creature. -3: Destroy target nonland permanent. -7: Put three 1/1 black Assassin creature tokens onto the battlefield with "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, that player loses the game."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stealthily sitting in your corner as the ultimate control piece, Vraska the Unseen can decimate an opponent’s board presence. When you activate her -3 ability, not only can you destroy a nonland permanent, but you’re also pulling ahead by directly removing a threatening card from the game, tipping the scales in your favor without sacrificing your own resources.

Resource Acceleration: Resource management is fundamental in MTG, and Vraska’s ultimate ability, which creates three 1/1 black Assassin creature tokens with deathtouch, can abruptly end the game. Most notably, any player losing life due to damage from these creatures loses the game, creating a high-pressure situation for your opponent. Having these tokens on the battlefield significantly accelerates your win condition, often forcing your opponent to deal with them immediately or face defeat.

Instant Speed: While Vraska herself is a planeswalker card and not cast at instant speed, her ability to destroy at will creates a dynamic reminiscent of instant-speed interaction. With Vraska on the field, your adversaries must carefully consider each action, knowing that any valuable permanent could be targeted by Vraska’s swift and unseen judgement, creating psychological pressure and forcing them to play around her threatening presence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the challenges players face with using Vraska the Unseen revolves around her loyalty abilities. They require strategic planning and can strain resources when trying to maximize her potential on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a precise combination of mana colors, Vraska the Unseen needs one black and one green mana along with three of any type to be cast. This requirement can be restrictive and difficult to meet in decks that aren’t heavily focused on those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Totalling five mana to summon, this planeswalker arrives with a higher cost compared to some others. Its mana demand can slow down your early game, potentially giving your opponent time to gain an advantageous position or counter your strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Vraska the Unseen is a multifaceted planeswalker capable of fitting into various strategies. Her ability to destroy nonland permanents means she can be pivotal in both aggressive and control decks, making her a valuable addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: With Vraska’s ultimate ability, players can create Assassin tokens which can completely change the game dynamic. Pairing her with proliferate mechanisms or doubling season effects allows for rapid loyalty increase, unleashing her devastating ultimate sooner than opponents can handle.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creatures and other permanents are prevalent, Vraska the Unseen shines with her removal capabilities. Her presence can tilt the balance in matches where removing key pieces is essential, underscoring her relevance in various competitive formats.


How to beat

Vraska the Unseen is a formidable planeswalker card in Magic: The Gathering, challenging players with her ability to create assassin tokens that can instantly win the game if they damage a player. To successfully navigate against her, it’s crucial to apply pressure early in the game. Aggressive strategies can prevent your opponent from stabilizing and using Vraska’s abilities effectively. Swift creatures and direct damage spells will help restrict her influence on the board.

Additionally, cards with the ability to deal damage directly to planeswalkers, such as Lightning Bolt, or those that can bypass blockers, like Trample or Flying creatures, are excellent choices for keeping Vraska in check. If she manages to create assassin tokens, board wipes or spells that can target multiple creatures at once become invaluable to avert the looming threat of an abrupt loss. Other tactics include using enchantment-based removals such as Oblivion Ring, which can remove Vraska from the battle without triggering her destructive abilities.

When facing Vraska the Unseen, remember that controlling the board and maintaining a versatile arsenal of spells are key to dismantling her strategies. A mix of pressure, direct damage, and strategic removals can ensure that this unseen predator doesn’t get the upper hand in the duel.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deep into the tactical world of MTG with insights on Vraska the Unseen. This planeswalker card commands the battlefield with the power to vanish threats and summons assassins capable of delivering instant defeat. It’s a treasure trove of strategy for both control and aggression-focused decks, providing a unique blend of offensive and defensive tactics. Enhance your collection’s potency and navigate through different playing styles by incorporating Vraska’s versatile might. Whether you’re defending against her or wielding her power, knowing the nuances ensures your deck remains a step ahead. Embark on this journey with us for deeper game mastery and collecting wisdom.


Cards like Vraska the Unseen

Vraska the Unseen is a dynamic planeswalker card that has made a substantial impact in Magic: The Gathering. It bears some resemblance to other planeswalkers like Liliana of the Veil, particularly in its ability to force opponents into difficult decisions. Both cards can cause the opponent to sacrifice creatures, but Vraska the Unseen takes it further with abilities providing defensive tokens and a game-ending ultimate. In contrast, Liliana’s ultimate ability focuses on separating permanents into piles to be sacrificed.

Another card that echoes Vraska’s influence is Garruk, Apex Predator. Garruk can also destroy creatures and has an emblem with a lethal effect similar to Vraska’s, albeit through a different method. What sets Vraska apart is her lower cost and her ability to remain unseen with her token production. Alternatively, Ob Nixilis Reignited shares the capacity to destroy creatures and draw cards, but lacks the protective and decisive ultimate ability that characterizes Vraska the Unseen.

While analyzing different planeswalkers, Vraska the Unseen holds its ground with unique abilities that offer both protection and a potent threat, showcasing her versatility and control in games of Magic: The Gathering.

Liliana of the Veil - MTG Card versions
Garruk, Apex Predator - MTG Card versions
Ob Nixilis Reignited - MTG Card versions
Liliana of the Veil - Innistrad (ISD)
Garruk, Apex Predator - San Diego Comic-Con 2014 (PS14)
Ob Nixilis Reignited - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vraska the Unseen MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska, 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 Vraska the Unseen and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vraska the Unseen Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2019-08-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 2082003normalblackAleksi Briclot
22014-03-14Duel Decks: Jace vs. VraskaDDM 422003normalblackIgor Kieryluk
32019-08-23Commander 2019C19 2072015normalblackAleksi Briclot

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vraska the Unseen has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2012-10-01 Each Assassin token’s triggered ability will trigger whenever it deals combat damage to any player, including you.
2012-10-01 If an effect creates a copy of one of the Assassin creature tokens, the copy will also have the triggered ability.

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