Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 293
2023-06-23 - Number 391
2023-06-23 - Number 34
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Wraith Noble |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin attacks, defending player sacrifices a creature with the least power among creatures they control.
"No living man may hinder me!"
Cards like Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin
Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin holds its own in the realm of influential creature cards in MTG. It shares some parallels with Inferno Titan, a giant that also impacts the board upon entry. Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin, however, brings a distinct advantage with its potential to disrupt multiple opponents by forcing discards, making it a highly strategic play in multiplayer formats.
Looking to cards with menacing presence, Grave Titan stands out as a comparison. While this titan generates zombie tokens, Witch-king offers a mixture of immediate board impact and ongoing control over opponents’ hands. Additionally, Witch-king can thrive in decks that capitalize on opponent discards, differentiating it from the token-generating prowess of Grave Titan.
Finally, let’s look at Sheoldred, Whispering One. While both cards command attention as powerful game-changers, Sheoldred brings a recurring reanimation ability which contrasts with the Witch-king’s one-time yet widespread effect. In the balance of power, Witch-king holds a niche that can turn the tide, particularly in games with several players. When comparing these formidable cards, Witch-king carves its unique space with an ability that can spell ruin for the unprepared.
Cards similar to Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin introduces a potent dynamic to gameplay by granting you the ability to potentially neutralize an opponent’s threat while also putting a powerful creature on the board. This can often lead to a significant swing in card advantage, impacting the tide of the match.
Resource Acceleration: This formidable card can accelerate your resource pool, allowing you to deploy further threats more quickly. By removing key pieces from your opponent’s strategy, you pave the way for a faster and more aggressive game plan.
Instant Speed: The ability to unleash the Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin at instant speed makes it a versatile and strategic response. This provides the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves while keeping up the pressure, a trait that is highly valued in fast-paced matches where timing is crucial.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside to Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin is its demand for discarding a card to unlock its full potential. This can pose a challenge when your hand is already depleted and you cannot afford to lose additional resources without negatively impacting your strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: Players must note that Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin comes with a specific mana cost that necessitates a particular color combination. This can sometimes restrict the card’s integration into a diverse array of decks, limiting its versatility across different Magic formats.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While formidable, the mana cost of Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin stands on the higher end. For the mana investment, gamers might argue that alternative cards could deliver similar or even greater impact on the battlefield, potentially relegating Witch-king to a role of favor more for flavor than optimized gameplay.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin adapts to various strategies, fitting well in decks that capitalize on powerful creature dynamics and those that manipulate graveyard play, enhancing both offensive and defensive lines.
Combo Potential: This card can be pivotal in combos, particularly those that revolve around sacrificing creatures or exploiting death triggers to gain advantage and control over the game state.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to disrupt opponents and affect board presence, Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin serves as a tactical asset in a meta that values resilience and impactful creature abilities.
How to beat
Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin poses a significant challenge on the battlefield due to its formidable abilities. Neutralizing this card requires strategic play and a solid understanding of counter tactics. Key to overcoming this threat is to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Employing counterspells is the most straightforward method, ensuring that the Witch-king never gets a chance to exert its influence.
Should the Witch-king be successfully summoned, immediate removal spells become crucial. Direct destruction or exile spells can eliminate it before its controller can harness its full potential. Additionally, since the Witch-king can grow more powerful with each spell cast, instant spells that can be played during the opponent’s turn, such as instant-speed removal or flash creatures, are invaluable for surprising an adversary and mitigating the threat at a moment’s notice.
In summary, proactive disruption and reactive removal orchestrate the defeat of Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin. Utilizing your spells effectively and maintaining board control are essential in rendering this powerhouse card irrelevant and keeping the victory in your grasp.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin // Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Art Series and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin // Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin 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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Printings
The Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin // Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Denman Rooke.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tales of Middle-earth Art Series | ALTR | 34 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Denman Rooke | ||
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 293 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Denman Rooke | |
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 391 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Denman Rooke |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | If the defending player controls two or more creatures tied for the least power among creatures they control, that player chooses one of them to sacrifice. |