Witness Protection MTG Card


Negates threats by transforming creatures, without spending extra cards from your hand. Leverages strategic play with sorcery-speed casting and lasting board control effects. While somewhat costly and deck-specific, it remains a staple for its unique removal capabilities.
Witness Protection - Streets of New Capenna
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released2022-04-29
Set symbol
Set nameStreets of New Capenna
Set codeSNC
Number66
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDominik Mayer

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature loses all abilities and is a green and white Citizen creature with base power and toughness 1/1 named Legitimate Businessperson. (It loses all other colors, card types, creature types, and names.)


Cards like Witness Protection

Witness Protection is a unique mechanic in Magic: The Gathering, bringing a quirkiness to the removal spells arena. It’s often weighed against Detention Sphere, as both cards offer a means of neutralizing threats. While Detention Sphere can exile any number of target nonland permanents with the same name, Witness Protection takes a different approach by pacifying and disguising the targeted creature, effectively removing it as a combat participant without exiling it.

Another card to consider is Darksteel Mutation. This enchantment similarly neutralizes creatures by turning them into an indestructible 0/1 insect with no abilities, offering a more permanent solution at the same converted mana cost as Witness Protection. Conversely, Witness Protection provides a fleeting safety, potentially only until the host creature leaves the battlefield or the enchantment is removed.

Weighing these options, Witness Protection holds its ground through its novel approach to creature control, while allowing for creative plays that can shift the tide of a game. It exemplifies strategic versatility within Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of removal spells, highlighting the importance of match context and deck synergy over raw power.

Detention Sphere - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Mutation - MTG Card versions
Detention Sphere - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Mutation - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Witness Protection. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
UU PioneerPioneer Challenge 64 2024-03-09
Mono-Blue CauldronMono-Blue Cauldron StandardIzzet Cauldron ComboPro Tour Thunder Junction
UBUB PioneerPioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-26
WUWU PioneerPioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-21
Azorius TempoAzorius Tempo GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Dimir Ensoul ArtifactDimir Ensoul Artifact PioneerDimir Ensoul ArtifactPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-02
Simic CauldronSimic Cauldron StandardTemur Cauldron Combo2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open
DecklistDecklist Free form88#CS
UGUG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024
Simic TempoSimic Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Witness Protection provides a subtle form of card advantage by neutralizing a threatening creature without a card exchange. This can tilt the balance of the game by reducing an opponent’s board presence while maintaining your own card resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although Witness Protection does not inherently accelerate resources, it aids in preserving your life total and board state. This can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by allowing you to allocate resources otherwise spent on dealing with threats to furthering your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Witness Protection is cast at sorcery speed, it’s worth noting that its lasting effect on the board continues to provide strategic advantages turn after turn. It deals with permanent threats effectively, freeing up your instant-speed responses for other critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Witness Protection necessitates sacrificing another card from your hand to cast it, which could deplete your options, especially when you’re already facing a hand-size deficit.

Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment comes with a blue and white mana cost, which may not be easily met in a multicolored or off-theme deck, potentially restricting its versatility across a range of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Witness Protection might be considered a bit pricey for the function it serves. Competing cards might offer a more budget-friendly alternative or a broader set of capabilities for the same investment.


Reasons to Include Witness Protection in Your Collection

Versatility: The adaptability of “Witness Protection” allows for its inclusion in numerous deck archetypes. Its ability to neutralize key threats transforms it into an essential piece of removal across various playstyles.

Combo Potential: This card works perfectly in strategies focusing on altering creature characteristics. It pairs well with deck mechanics that capitalize on creature control, setting the stage for powerful and potentially game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given its prowess in handling dominant creatures, “Witness Protection” must not be overlooked in an environment teeming with high-value creature decks. Its presence could tip the scales in matches where a single creature can dictate the game’s outcome.


How to Beat Witness Protection

Witness Protection is a unique twist in Magic: The Gathering, offering a transformative control over the battlefield by neutralizing a threat. This card effectively sidelines a problematic creature by turning it into a harmless 1/1 with no abilities. To outmaneuver this card, it’s essential to rely on diverse threats that vary in nature — including creatures with undying or persist abilities which can return to the field even after being turned into a 1/1.

Diversification is key; having an array of noncreature spells, such as direct damage or enchantment removal, can push through that last bit of damage or clear the path for your other creatures to swing in. Moreover, employing instant-speed interaction allows you to respond to Witness Protection before it resolves, maintaining the pressure on your opponent. Lastly, since Witness Protection generally targets the most formidable creature you control, utilizing hexproof or shroud abilities to protect your key pieces can keep your game strategy intact.

Understanding how to mitigate the impact of Witness Protection can be a testament to a well-rounded deck and a strategic mindset, defining the path to victory even when faced with such clever control spells in a game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic landscape of MTG is ever-evolving, and Witness Protection is a card that reflects this dynamic. Whether you are fine-tuning your control deck or looking to temper the battlefield, understanding the nuanced role cards like Witness Protection can play is pivotal. Dive deeper into the mechanics of disruption and creature control with us. Enhance your deck’s resilience and learn strategies to effectively neutralize the threats that stand between you and victory. Your journey towards becoming a more adept and prepared player begins now. Discover new horizons in MTG with our in-depth insights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Witness Protection MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 Witness Protection and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Witness Protection has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-04-29 If an effect instructs a player to choose a card name, that player may not name “Legitimate Businessperson,” even if a creature currently has that name.
2022-04-29 If the enchanted creature had any subtypes other than creature types, such as Equipment, Vehicle, or Shrine, it loses those as well.