Witchstalker MTG Card

Witchstalker gains +1/+1 counters from enemy spells, evolving into a formidable force over time. Its hexproof ability conserves resources, allowing for strengthened board positions without additional defense. Instant speed interactions during the opponent’s turn can unexpectedly swing the game in your favor.

Magic 2014 (M14)
2013-07-19 - Number 202

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number M14-202

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Wolf
Abilities	Hexproof
Power	3
Toughness	3

Text of card

Hexproof (This creature can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.) Whenever an opponent casts a blue or black spell during your turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Witchstalker.

Cards like Witchstalker

Witchstalker is a creature card that stands out in the green deck space within Magic: The Gathering. It reminds seasoned players of cards like Loxodon Smiter, which also evades counterspells, benefiting from being a robust creature that’s difficult to deal with on the stack. However, Witchstalker brings its unique twist with hexproof, safeguarding it from targeted spells and abilities once it’s on the battlefield. Loxodon Smiter lacks this protective feature, making Witchstalker a preferable option for players who value resilience.

Looking at another relative, Thrun, the Last Troll shares multiple traits with Witchstalker. Thrun also offers hexproof and cannot be countered, making him a reliable and intimidating presence against control decks. What sets Thrun apart is the regeneration ability, giving it another layer of durability. Witchstalker, while lacking regeneration, compensates with its ability to grow stronger whenever an opponent casts a blue or black spell during your turn. This can result in a sizable threat that scales with the opponent’s actions.

Within the realm of MTG, Witchstalker provides a clever mix of evasion and reactive power increase, making it a valued card amongst players who favor creatures that resist removal and thrive in the face of opposition spells.

Thrun, the Last Troll - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Witchstalker by color, type and mana cost

Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions

Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions

Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Witchstalker shines in its ability to be more than just a creature on the battlefield. As a target of spells or abilities during your opponent’s turn, it gains +1/+1 counters, providing a strategic edge by not only deterring opponents from targeting it but also transforming potential threats into long-term advantages.

Resource Acceleration: While Witchstalker doesn’t directly ramp your mana, its Hexproof ability can potentially save you resources by reducing the need to protect it with other spells. This inherent protection can allow you to accelerate your game plan without the immediate pressure to use resources for creature defense.

Instant Speed: Witchstalker’s synergy with instant speed spells is not to be underestimated. Playing instants on your opponent’s turn bolsters its power, which strategically interact with the creature’s strengths. This interaction can swiftly shift the board state in your favor, adding layers to your tactical gameplay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Witchstalker comes with no direct need to discard, it’s important for players to be aware of potential forced discard scenarios. Cards like Witchstalker that don’t offer immediate board impact or card advantage may be essential sacrifices when facing discard-centric opponents, impacting your mid to late game strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Witchstalker’s requirement of two green mana within its cost can be restrictive. Decks that run on a more diverse color palette might find it challenging to ensure the necessary mana for casting, making it less adaptable compared to more color-flexible cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two that are color specific, some may argue that Witchstalker’s statically robust presence doesn’t always justify the investment, especially when faster, lower-cost creatures can be played sooner, allowing for aggressive early-game tactics.

Reasons to Include Witchstalker in Your Collection

Versatility: Witchstalker is a formidable card to have for its flexibility in a variety of green decks. Its inherent hexproof ability provides a solid defense against spot removal, making it a resilient threat on the board.

Combo Potential: This creature thrives in environments filled with multi-colored spells as it gains +1/+1 counters during your opponent’s turn. This capability makes it an excellent addition to strategies focusing on counters and growth mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Witchstalker holds its ground well in metas dominated by control decks. Due to its hexproof, it evades many common forms of removal, allowing you to maintain a presence on the battlefield while your opponents expend valuable resources attempting to deal with it.

How to beat

Witchstalker is a resilient creature within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Its hexproof ability renders it immune to targeted spells and abilities your opponents control, making it challenging to remove from the battlefield using traditional methods. Nevertheless, the tactics to counter this formidable foe are straightforward. Sweeper spells that affect each creature on the battlefield, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, bypass hexproof by not targeting individual creatures.

Alternatively, edict effects, which force a player to sacrifice a creature, serve as another viable strategy. Cards like Liliana of the Veil or Diabolic Edict neatly sidestep the protection hexproof offers. Encountering Witchstalker also presents an optimal moment to consider adjusting your deck to include more board-wide disruption or sacrifice effects, ensuring that you’re better prepared for creatures that evade targeted removal. Consistent board control is key to maintaining an edge against threats like Witchstalker.

Setting the stage with the right arsenal of spells, MTG players can ensure that Witchstalker’s potency is significantly diminished, keeping the path to victory wide open despite its evasive nature.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Witchstalker MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and The List, 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 Witchstalker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Witchstalker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2013-07-19. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2013-07-19	Magic 2014	M14		202	2003	Normal	Black	Christopher Moeller
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		M14-202	2003	Normal	Black	Christopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Witchstalker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-07-01	If an opponent casts a copy of a card that’s blue or black during your turn (as opposed to putting a copy of such a spell directly on the stack), the ability will also trigger. Check for the word “cast” in the effect that creates the copy.
2013-07-01	The counter will be put on Witchstalker before the spell cast by an opponent resolves.