Witchbane Orb MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 236
2020-03-08 - Number 116
2020-09-26 - Number ISD-236
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
When Witchbane Orb enters the battlefield, destroy all Curses attached to you. You have hexproof. (You can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, including Aura spells.)
Cards like Witchbane Orb
Witchbane Orb holds a unique position as an artifact in Magic: The Gathering, with its ability to grant its owner hexproof. This parallels the functionality of Orbs of Warding, a card that not only gives hexproof but also offers damage reduction from creature attacks. While Witchbane Orb zeroes out curses and targeted spells, Orbs of Warding provides broader mitigation, reflecting its higher mana cost.
Another analog can be seen in the form of Ivory Mask. Though it’s an enchantment, it confers a similar protection by granting you hexproof. However, Ivory Mask lacks the ability to destroy curses already present, a subtlety where Witchbane Orb shines. Leyline of Sanctity is a robust counterpart that can be active from the game’s start if in your opening hand, but Witchbane Orb is distinctive in its appeal to artifact-centric decks seeking versatile defensive tools.
Ultimately, while each of these cards serves a protective purpose, Witchbane Orb distinguishes itself for artifact synergistic strategies that necessitate safeguarding against targeted spells and abilities, solidifying its presence in various MTG formats as a specialized piece of defensive equipment.
Cards similar to Witchbane Orb by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Witchbane Orb has the unique ability to provide key defensive utility, effectively neutralizing a multitude of threats that target you directly. While not a traditional draw engine, it offers a strategic advantage by safeguarding your precious life total and in-game resources from specific spells and abilities your opponents may have, maintaining your position in the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Witchbane Orb doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can indirectly provide resource preservation. By shielding you from targeted discard spells and effects that could destroy or otherwise nullify your assets, it helps maintain the resources you’ve already gathered, ensuring they’re utilized to their full potential.
Instant Speed: Witchbane Orb’s value is in its static ability, not the speed of its casting. However, the impact can be immediate if played right before an opponent’s spell or ability targets you, creating an unexpected shield that can disrupt their strategy and swing the momentum in your favor. This preemptive ‘instant speed’ effect can be a game-changer, especially when utilized at a critical moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Witchbane Orb does not directly impose a discard requirement, effectively using it within your deck might necessitate discarding valuable cards for the artifact’s activation timing or in response to aggressive hand disruption strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Witchbane Orb’s cost is heavy on generic mana with four required to cast, which can be challenging for mana bases that are geared towards multicolor spells or decks that rely on an intensive color curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demanding cost of four mana, Witchbane Orb competes with other impactful four-mana plays in MTG. This can lead to opportunity costs, as players may forego developing their board or miss out on casting other crucial spells in the same turn.
Reasons to Include Witchbane Orb in Your Collection
Versatility: Witchbane Orb is a unique artifact that offers a powerful hexproof shield for its controller, making it useful in multiple deck archetypes looking to protect against targeted spells and abilities.
Combo Potential: In addition to its defensive capabilities, the card can work wonders in decks that capitalize on artifacts. It can be combined with cards that benefit from you having hexproof or that trigger upon casting artifacts.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where curses, burn spells, and targeted discard are prevalent, Witchbane Orb becomes a critical inclusion. It has the potential to significantly disrupt opponent strategies, securing its place in sideboards and main decks alike.
How to beat Witchbane Orb
Witchbane Orb offers a shield against spells that target its controller and nullifies curses, making it a staple in many defense-oriented MTG decks. To navigate around Witchbane Orb, consider cards that affect all players or opponents and do not target a single player specifically. Area-of-effect damage spells, board wipes, and mass discard effects can circumvent the protection Witchbane Orb provides.
An effective strategy is to use artifact destruction cards such as Naturalize or Shatter to remove Witchbane Orb from the battlefield directly. Alternatively, cards like Duress or Thoughtseize, although they can’t target the player directly while Witchbane Orb is in play, they can still discard Witchbane Orb from the opponent’s hand before it hits the field, preventing it from ever becoming an issue.
In multiplayer games, teamwork can be key. Collaborate with other players to overload the Orb’s controller with threats from multiple angles. Remember, Witchbane Orb’s protection is robust, but not all-encompassing. By adjusting tactics and incorporating these strategies, players can effectively neutralize the advantages granted by Witchbane Orb.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Witchbane Orb MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils, 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 Witchbane Orb 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 Witchbane Orb Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by John Avon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 236 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 2 | 2020-03-08 | Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils | FMB1 | 116 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | ISD-236 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Witchbane Orb has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |