Bitterheart Witch MTG Card


Bitterheart Witch - Innistrad
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Shaman
Abilities Deathtouch
Released2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set nameInnistrad
Set codeISD
Power 1
Toughness 2
Number88
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKarl Kopinski

Key Takeaways

  1. Upon death, Bitterheart Witch grants card advantage by fetching a curse directly onto the battlefield.
  2. The Witch accelerates resources by bypassing the mana cost of the enchained curse.
  3. Instant speed synergies enable strategic play, maximizing the Witch’s disruptive potential.

Text of card

Deathtouch When Bitterheart Witch dies, you may search your library for a Curse card, put it onto the battlefield attached to target player, then shuffle your library.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Bitterheart Witch is put into the graveyard from the battlefield, you may search your library for a curse card and put it onto the battlefield attached to target player. This allows the player to effectively replace the witch with another potentially more threatening card, ensuring a steady flow of resources and maintaining pressure on the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to cheat a curse card directly onto the battlefield bypasses its mana cost. This can lead to significant resource acceleration, as the player gains the effects of the curse without having to spend any additional mana on the turn it’s put into play.

Instant Speed: While Bitterheart Witch itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with board wipes and sacrifice effects that you can cast at instant speed. This means you can wait for the best moment to trigger her ability, potentially during the opponent’s turn, to ensure maximum disruption and strategic advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bitterheart Witch calls for a strategic deck build as it revolves around its death-trigger mechanic. This can translate into a downside in gameplay since the card your witch fetches upon death has to already be in your graveyard. Strategically discarding cards can be risky, potentially putting you at a card disadvantage if not done carefully.

Specific Mana Cost: The obligation to include a specific combination of black and colorless mana to cast Bitterheart Witch might restrict its inclusion. Dedicated mono-color decks could find the Witch’s mana requirements challenging to fulfill, limiting her playability to multicolor or black-focused decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana and only a 1/2 stat line, Bitterheart Witch may not be as efficient compared to other options in the five-mana slot. Costs are indeed an important consideration in deck construction, as lower-cost cards with similar or more impactful effects could outweigh the benefit of including the Witch in your lineup.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bitterheart Witch’s ability to search for a curse card upon death gives her a versatile role in decks that hinge on curse strategies. She seamlessly integrates into various control or enchantment-based decks, becoming a linchpin for those seeking to disrupt opponents’ gameplay.

Combo Potential: This eerie spellcaster has significant combo potential in the right setup. Once in the graveyard, her ability can fetch powerful curses like Curse of Misfortunes, setting off a chain of debilitating curses that can cripple an opponent’s board state. This synergy makes her especially formidable in long-game scenarios.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Bitterheart Witch becomes a valuable asset. She acts as a deterrent, threatening to unleash potent curses post-mortem, which can deter attacks or remove key creatures. Her presence can swing games by reshaping the battlefield to your advantage with well-timed enchantments.


How to beat

Bitterheart Witch is a unique creature card that offers a specific tactical advantage in Magic the Gathering. Its ability to tutor for a Curse from your deck and put it on the battlefield when it dies can be a game-changer. This can lead to powerful combinations and a sudden shift in the game’s dynamic, with the potential to disrupt your opponent’s strategies.

Effectively countering Bitterheart Witch demands proactive measures. Utilize removal spells that exile it instead of sending it to the graveyard, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares. These disrupt the Witch’s death trigger, preventing the Curse from coming into play. Similarly, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace can be crucial, as they nullify the Witch’s ability by removing its death-triggered ability from the equation altogether. Counterspells also serve as a strong line of defense, particularly when the Witch is cast, stopping the threat before it settles on the board. Finally, fast-paced aggressive decks can outpace the Witch’s slower strategy, winning before the Witch and its Curse can impact the game.

Tackling Bitterheart Witch’s influence requires a combination of timing, resource management, and the right spells. By employing these strategies, Magic the Gathering players can gain the upper hand against this devious card and maintain control over the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the play with Bitterheart Witch requires a blend of strategy and foresight. As the pros and cons suggest, her true value shines in a dedicated deck centered around curse cards. The witch’s ability to fetch a curse directly from the library when she dies makes her a powerful asset in the right circumstances. If you’re intrigued by the potential to disrupt opponents and command the flow of the game with cunning enchantments, then honing your skills with this card could be very rewarding. Dive deeper into the synergies and strategies that make Bitterheart Witch a card worth considering for your deck by joining us for more insights and strategic tips.


Cards like Bitterheart Witch

Bitterheart Witch often flies under the radar in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering creature cards. A prime comparison would be to the Bogbrew Witch, which shares a thematic kinship in the witch archetype. While Bitterheart Witch is a one-time trigger for curse enchantments upon death, Bogbrew Witch has an ongoing ability to fetch specific pieces from your deck. This distinction can affect deck strategies significantly, making Bitterheart Witch a choice for a more explosive single impact.

Another card in the same vein is the Disciple of Griselbrand. Both creatures can activate their abilities when they die, but the Disciple’s ability provides life gain which could be more immediate than the delayed gratification of Bitterheart Witch’s curse trigger. The versatility of the Disciple’s ability to synergize with various deck themes also makes it a solid comparison.

Finally, considering the Blessed Witch, the utility from her token generation provides a different angle of gameplay. Though not directly enchantment-related, the Witch’s consistent ability to create board presence can offer a more sustained approach compared to Bitterheart Witch’s conditional impact. Assessing them side by side, Bitterheart Witch might be a specialized tool in a cunning player’s arsenal, especially in decks designed to capitalize on curse enchantments.

Bogbrew Witch - MTG Card versions
Disciple of Griselbrand - MTG Card versions
Bogbrew Witch - MTG Card versions
Disciple of Griselbrand - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bitterheart Witch MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Bitterheart Witch and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bitterheart Witch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-09-22 The Curse must be legally able to enchant the player. For example, if the player has protection from red, you couldn’t put a red Curse onto the battlefield this way.

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