The War Doctor MTG Card


Offers card advantage through selective drawing and recycling, keeping your play options versatile and plentiful. Ramps up mana resources, enabling earlier casting of impactful spells for a possible game lead. Operates at instant speed, providing the agility to react swiftly to the dynamic MTG battlefield.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor
Power 3
Toughness 5

Text of card

Whenever one or more other permanents phase out and whenever one or more other cards are put into exile from anywhere, put a time counter on The War Doctor. Whenever The War Doctor attacks, it deals damage equal to the number of time counters on it to any target. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead.


Cards like The War Doctor

The War Doctor card stands as a unique piece among Magic: The Gathering’s array of legendary creatures. When it comes to its role in strategic deck building, it exhibits similarities to cards such as Teshar, Ancestor’s Apostle, which also offers ways to retrieve creatures from the graveyard. The War Doctor, however, comes with its own distinct condition that allows for more targeted recursion, focusing on a specific creature type or tribal synergy, which encourages more thematic deck construction.

Delving into comparable mechanics, Alesha, Who Smiles at Death is another card that shines with the reanimation theme. Just like The War Doctor, Alesha can bring back smaller creatures from the graveyard, yet the limitation by power rather than type creates different deck-building challenges and opportunities. The War Doctor’s emphasis on specific tribes could thus be more beneficial in focused tribal strategies. Meanwhile, Lurrus of the Dream-Den allows for a similar recurrent play from the graveyard, although being restricted to lower-cost permanents sets a different kind of deck-building constraint compared to The War Doctor’s more flexible condition.

Hence, in evaluating their effectiveness across various gameplay scenarios, The War Doctor asserts its strength in decks with a tribal core, allowing for a strategic advantage that is tailored to support a cohesive creature type.

Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle - MTG Card versions
Alesha, Who Smiles at Death - MTG Card versions
Lurrus of the Dream-Den - MTG Card versions
Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle - MTG Card versions
Alesha, Who Smiles at Death - MTG Card versions
Lurrus of the Dream-Den - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The War Doctor by color, type and mana cost

Angelfire Crusader - MTG Card versions
Desolation Giant - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Charger - MTG Card versions
Brion Stoutarm - MTG Card versions
Winota, Joiner of Forces - MTG Card versions
Raiyuu, Storm's Edge - MTG Card versions
Bell Borca, Spectral Sergeant - MTG Card versions
Belligerent Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Duergar Cave-Guard - MTG Card versions
Spitemare - MTG Card versions
Firemane Avenger - MTG Card versions
Spark Trooper - MTG Card versions
Highspire Mantis - MTG Card versions
Munda, Ambush Leader - MTG Card versions
Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas - MTG Card versions
Flame-Kin Zealot - MTG Card versions
Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder - MTG Card versions
Truefire Captain - MTG Card versions
Hammer Dropper - MTG Card versions
Aurelia, Exemplar of Justice - MTG Card versions
Angelfire Crusader - MTG Card versions
Desolation Giant - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Charger - MTG Card versions
Brion Stoutarm - MTG Card versions
Winota, Joiner of Forces - MTG Card versions
Raiyuu, Storm's Edge - MTG Card versions
Bell Borca, Spectral Sergeant - MTG Card versions
Belligerent Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Duergar Cave-Guard - MTG Card versions
Spitemare - MTG Card versions
Firemane Avenger - MTG Card versions
Spark Trooper - MTG Card versions
Highspire Mantis - MTG Card versions
Munda, Ambush Leader - MTG Card versions
Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas - MTG Card versions
Flame-Kin Zealot - MTG Card versions
Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder - MTG Card versions
Truefire Captain - MTG Card versions
Hammer Dropper - MTG Card versions
Aurelia, Exemplar of Justice - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The War Doctor provides a dynamic edge by letting you sift through your deck, selecting the most strategic spells or creatures to keep your hand filled with options. Its ability to recycle cards enhances your chances of drawing into key pieces required to conquer the game board.

Resource Acceleration: This card can boost your mana resources, giving you the ability to cast higher-cost spells earlier than usual. By ramping up your available mana, The War Doctor enables quicker and more substantial plays to outmaneuver your adversary.

Instant Speed: Flexibility is key in MTG, and The War Doctor excels by operating at instant speed. This allows for surprise plays during an opponent’s turn or the option to react with precision to the ever-changing battlefield, ensuring that you stay in control and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of The War Doctor card lies in its prerequisite for discarding another card. This action can be quite limiting especially when your hand is already running low, effectively forcing you to diminish your resources further which could hinder your gameplay strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost demands an exact combination of mana types, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that can consistently generate the appropriate colors. This limitation could exclude the card from a variety of decks where its abilities might otherwise be useful, but the mana base doesn’t align.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For players mindful of their mana curve, The War Doctor’s mana investment may appear steep when compared to other options available in the game. Its effectiveness must be weighed against other, possibly more cost-efficient, cards that deliver similar or better impact for less mana, potentially relegating The War Doctor to a secondary choice for deck builders.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The War Doctor card is a flexible addition to any MTG player’s collection. Its ability to adapt to various situations means it can seamlessly integrate into a wide array of deck types, enhancing your gameplay with its dynamic nature.

Combo Potential: This card boasts significant combo potential, allowing players to craft game-changing synergies. Its unique effects can interact with other cards to unlock powerful combinations that propel your strategy forward.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to influence the battlefield, The War Doctor maintains relevance in the ever-shifting MTG meta landscape. Its strong presence can hold its own against prevalent deck archetypes, making it a worthwhile acquisition for competitive play.


How to Beat The War Doctor MTG Card

The War Doctor is known for its resilience and can be a real challenge to overcome in the world of Magic: The Gathering. To successfully outmaneuver this formidable card, savvy players engage strategies that target its key weaknesses. First, employ removal spells that can bypass the War Doctor’s potential indestructibility or hexproof abilities. Spells such as Doom Blade or Go for the Throat are effective as they don’t target the War Doctor directly, circumventing typical defenses.

Another tactic is to use board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, which sweep away all creatures indiscriminately, ensuring that the War Doctor is not spared. Additionally, countering key spells that bolster the War Doctor’s power or provide it with protection will dampen its impact on the game. Tackling the resources that support the War Doctor, such as mana acceleration or card draw engines, can also help in keeping this powerful card at bay.

Ultimately, understanding the meta and preparing your deck with the War Doctor in mind grants you the upper hand. By combining direct removal, strategic board control, and proactive disruption, you position yourself to beat even the most challenging opponents in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Strengthening your MTG arsenal with The War Doctor can redefine the way you approach each match. With its potential for card advantage, resource acceleration, and instant response, this card stands out as a formidable ally. However, aware of the challenges its specific mana cost and discard requirement present, wise players balance their decks accordingly. Considering its versatility and combo prowess, it’s vital to weigh its role in your strategic lineup. Dive deeper with us, refining your playstyle and integrating The War Doctor effectively into your deck to gain an edge over your competition.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The War Doctor MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 The War Doctor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The War Doctor Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 11392015NormalBorderlessSteve Morris
22023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 10432015NormalBlackLixin Yin
32023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 1672015NormalBlackLixin Yin
42023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 5482015NormalBorderlessSteve Morris
52023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 7722015NormalBlackLixin Yin
62023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 4522015NormalBlackLixin Yin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The War Doctor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-10-13 If The War Doctor phases out at the same time as any other permanents, its first ability won't trigger.
2023-10-13 If an effect instructs you to choose a creature type, you may choose Time Lord.
2023-10-13 Neither "Time" nor "Lord" are creature types. Some older cards were printed with the subtype "Lord," but all of those cards have updated Oracle card text that removed that type.
2023-10-13 Unlike other creature types in Magic that are each only one word, the two words "Time Lord" represent a single creature subtype. Time Lord is the only two-word creature type.
2023-10-13 You choose the target of the second ability as it attacks. The number of time counters is checked at the time the ability resolves. If The War Doctor has left the battlefield by that time, use the number of time counters it had on it the last time it was on the battlefield to determine how much damage it deals to that target.