Territorial Witchstalker MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wolf |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Released | 2023-09-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Wilds of Eldraine |
| Set code | WOE |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 189 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ilse Gort |
Text of card
Defender At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you control a creature with power 4 or greater, Territorial Witchstalker gets +1/+0 until end of turn and can attack this turn as though it didn't have defender.
Cards like Territorial Witchstalker
The Territorial Witchstalker is a notable creature card that finds its place among other green creature spells in MTG. It shares the battlefield with creatures like Leatherback Baloth, a card that boasts an equally formidable presence with a substantial power and toughness for a low mana cost. However, what sets Territorial Witchstalker apart is its synergy with landfall abilities – rewarding you whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control.
Looking at Scavenging Ooze, another green staple, there are similarities in mana cost and the potential for growth in power and toughness. Yet, Territorial Witchstalker offers a different kind of advantage by potentially becoming stronger with each turn as more lands are played, enhancing your strategic position. Comparatively, Scavenging Ooze requires additional mana investment to utilize its ability to its full extent.
In evaluating green creatures that favor a ramp-style play, Territorial Witchstalker holds its own with the inherent promise of escalating threat level turn after turn. This enduring growth capability seamlessly aligns with decks that maximize land drops and can often outpace creatures that lack the same progressive strength.
Cards similar to Territorial Witchstalker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Territorial Witchstalker’s ability to scry can help sift through the deck to find necessary cards, giving a strategic edge by improving the quality of draws.
Resource Acceleration: While the Territorial Witchstalker itself may not create mana or tokens, its synergy with landfall mechanics can trigger effects of other cards that accelerate resources on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: Offering a flash ability, the Territorial Witchstalker can be cast at instant speed, surprising opponents and allowing for strategic plays during either player’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Territorial Witchstalker in your deck mandates a discard, which might deplete your hand, especially detrimental during late-game scenarios where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The Witchstalker requires a precise mana allocation to cast, including green mana. Such specificity can restrict deck flexibility and hinder the card’s inclusion in multicolored strategies that might be strained on mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring four mana, its casting cost is on the upper end for its effects and stat line. Players could potentially find more optimal creatures or spells that offer greater impact or utility for the same, or even lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Territorial Witchstalker offers a flexible role in decks that focus on both creature presence and land-based strategies. Its ability to bring a hexproof creature to the table makes it a solid choice for defensive or aggressive setups.
Combo Potential: The landfall ability of this card can be leveraged in combos that exploit the generation of Wolf tokens. These tokens can synergize with other cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or enhancing token strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that often sees fluctuating meta trends, Territorial Witchstalker maintains relevance. Its ability to resist targeted spells makes it a persistent threat against control decks and a valuable asset in creature-heavy matchups.
How to Beat
Tackling the challenge of Territorial Witchstalker on the battlefield requires strategy and precision. In Magic: The Gathering, control and removal spells are key. A direct approach is often effective; consider using removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which seamlessly dispose of creatures without significant conditions attached. Keeping removal in hand ensures readiness for when the Witchstalker threatens your board state.
Alternative strategies involve countering the Witchstalker before it can establish control. Utilizing counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent it from hitting the field altogether. Moreover, bypassing the Witchstalker’s presence using flying creatures provides an avenue to deal damage without engaging directly with it.
Finally, the game’s flow can dictate Witchstalker’s impact. Quick-paced decks can overcome it by establishing a dominant position before it becomes a significant threat. Slower decks might concentrate on building a structure that withstands and surpasses the Witchstalker’s capabilities. With the right combination of removal, counters, and strategic pacing, this formidable foe can be mastered, maintaining control over the game’s narrative.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Territorial Witchstalker MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Territorial Witchstalker 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Territorial Witchstalker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |