The Wretched MTG Card

The Wretched can decisively alter games by gaining control of opponents’ creatures during combat. Its condition to discard can be a major downside, especially when resources are low. Despite high mana demands, it shines in creature-heavy metagames and offers unique combos.

Legends (LEG)
1994-06-01 - Number 121

Chronicles (CHR)
1995-07-01 - Number 39

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 197

The Wretched - Masters Edition III (ME3)

Masters Edition III (ME3)
2009-09-07 - Number 78

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Demon
Power	2
Toughness	5

Text of card

At the end of combat take control of all creatures that blocked The Wretched. The Wretched does not tap or untap these creatures. You lose control of these creatures if The Wretched leaves play or if you lose control of The Wretched.

Cards like The Wretched

The Wretched is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to gain control of opponent’s creatures through combat. In comparison, cards like Control Magic or Mind Control also enable a player to take charge of opposing creatures. However, unlike The Wretched, these cards do not require combat conditions for the transfer of control and are enchantments that can be more straightforward to use.

Looking at Sower of Temptation gives us another perspective. Sower of Temptation offers control of a creature as soon as it enters the battlefield, offering an immediate impact. Yet this effect is lost if the Sower leaves the play, whereas The Wretched retains control as long as it remains engaged in combat. Other creatures such as Olivia Voldaren present a similar control dynamic, but it involves extra costs to activate the ability, contrasting with The Wretched’s cost-effective control trigger during combat.

Assessing these options shows that while The Wretched may have a conditional requirement, its potential to perpetually control creatures through combat makes it an intriguing choice for players looking to dominate the battlefield in prolonged matches.

Cards similar to The Wretched by color, type and mana cost

Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions

Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Wretched offers a unique advantage by potentially taking control of all creatures your opponents control—a swing that can decisively change the board state in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct resource accelerator, gaining command over your adversaries’ creatures may result in additional benefits like accessing their activated abilities or augmenting your attack force without expending mana on your turn.

Instant Speed: While The Wretched itself does not operate at instant speed, it can synergize with instant speed removal spells. By strategically eliminating key blockers, you may force a favorable block that leads to The Wretched gaining control of the opponent’s creature, optimizing board position mid-combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One significant drawback of The Wretched is its activation condition that necessitates discarding a card. This could be detrimental especially in situations where your hand is already depleted, or you’re conserving critical cards for later plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Another limitation of The Wretched is the specificity of its mana cost, requiring both black mana and a substantial total amount to cast. This can be restrictive since it fits primarily into mono-black or specific multicolor decks that can accommodate such a cost without hindering their mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering its mana value, The Wretched demands a sizable investment for its creature control ability. Players may find that other cards in the same mana range could provide more flexible or immediate impacts on the game, making it a less appealing choice when building an efficient deck.

Reasons to Include The Wretched in Your Collection

Versatility: The Wretched offers a unique control over creatures that could change the tide in your favor. This card can integrate into decks that take advantage of creature theft mechanics or that need a failsafe against powerful enemy creatures.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to gain control of all creatures your opponent controls that it damages allows for innovative combo strategies, especially in conjunction with cards that force combat or in a deck that can manipulate untapping The Wretched multiple times during a turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based decks are prevalent, The Wretched can be a silver bullet, turning an opponent’s strength into their downfall. Moreover, its unique effect can catch many players off guard, giving you the upper hand in both casual and competitive play.

How to Beat

The Wretched is an intriguing card to face in Magic: The Gathering. Its unique ability to gain control of creatures it deals combat damage to presents a serious challenge. However, the key to outmaneuvering The Wretched lies in preventing combat damage in the first place. Utilizing cards that can either block without being destroyed, such as those with indestructibility or high toughness, can stifle The Wretched’s power grab. Another tactic is to deploy removal spells to deal with The Wretched before it becomes a problem.

Protection from black is also an effective strategy due to The Wretched’s color identity. By playing creatures or equipping abilities that prevent targeting or damage from black cards, you can safeguard your creatures from falling under your opponent’s control. Another method includes manipulating combat through spells or abilities that tap The Wretched, rendering it unable to attack and thus unable to trigger its ability. Don’t forget that without creatures to take control of, The Wretched’s impact is greatly reduced, so consider minimizing your creature board presence as well.

Finally, flying or reach creatures offer a sound defense as they can block and potentially remove The Wretched without being commandeered. By understanding the mechanics at work and preparing your deck with preventive measures or responses, you can confidently dismantle the threat The Wretched might pose during gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Wretched MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Wretched and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The Wretched Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-06-01	Legends	LEG	121	1993	Normal	Black	Christopher Rush
2	1995-07-01	Chronicles	CHR	39	1993	Normal	White	Christopher Rush
3	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	197	1997	Normal	White	Christopher Rush
4	2009-09-07	Masters Edition III	ME3	78	1997	Normal	Black	Christopher Rush

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Wretched has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2009-05-01	Any blocking creatures that regenerated during combat will have been removed from combat. Since such creatures are no longer in combat, they cannot be blocking The Wretched, which means you won’t be able to gain control of them.
2009-05-01	If The Wretched itself regenerated during combat, then it will have been removed from combat. Since it is no longer in combat, there cannot be any creatures blocking it, which means you won’t be able to gain control of any creatures.
2009-05-01	The ability grants you control of all creatures that are blocking it as the ability resolves. This will include any creatures that were put onto the battlefield blocking it.
2009-10-01	If The Wretched leaves the battlefield, you no longer control it, so the duration of its control-change effect ends.
2009-10-01	If you lose control of The Wretched before its ability resolves, you won’t gain control of the creatures blocking it at all.
2009-10-01	Once the ability resolves, it doesn’t care whether the permanents you gained control of remain creatures, only that they remain on the battlefield.
2009-10-01	The Wretched’s ability triggers only if it’s still on the battlefield when the end of combat step begins (after the combat damage step). For example, if it’s blocked by a 7/7 creature and is destroyed, its ability won’t trigger at all.