Withered Wretch MTG Card


Disrupts opponents by selectively exiling cards from graveyards, preserving your strategic edge. Instant speed activation affords reactionary control, pivotal in maintaining board advantage. Demands keen hand management, a minor cost for its potential significant impact on the game.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Cleric
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

: Remove target card in a graveyard from the game.

Once it consecrated the dead. Now it desecrates them.


Cards like Withered Wretch

The card anatomy of Withered Wretch in the sprawling universe of Magic: The Gathering finds echoes in other graveyard-manipulating cards, yet it stands unique with its distinct abilities. Take a look at Scavenging Ooze, which boasts a similar capacity to exalt itself through feeding on graveyard contents, but it also gains life – an upside not reflected in Withered Wretch. The fundamental difference lies in Withered Wretch’s focused utility to control the opponent’s graveyard at instant speed without the incremental benefit of growing larger or padding your life total.

Another notable comparison can be made to Bojuka Bog, a land card that offers a one-shot mass graveyard exile effect, affecting all cards as opposed to Withered Wretch’s precision removal of individual cards. The latter provides ongoing utility, while the Bog delivers a decisive blow to graveyard strategies without the potential for repeated interference.

Thus, while other cards can offer sweepingly robust graveyard purges or pivot towards self-strengthening through exiling, Withered Wretch allows MTG players to deftly and continuously manage death’s imprint on the game, sustaining a state of disruption against opponent strategies that rely heavily on graveyard synergies.

Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Bojuka Bog - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Bojuka Bog - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Withered Wretch by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Deadguy AleDeadguy Ale PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange Premodern$1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am
Mono-Black AggroMono-Black Aggro Premodern$1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am
Orzhov ControlOrzhov Control PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Withered Wretch’s ability can target any card in a graveyard, providing a strategic advantage by hindering your opponent’s plans that rely on graveyard interactions. This selective removal can be consequential, gaining you indirect card advantage by disrupting opponent resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or acceleration, Withered Wretch aids in resource acceleration by maintaining board state. By removing key pieces from graveyards, it can delay or prevent opponents from executing combos or recurring threats, allowing you to progress your game plan more efficiently.

Instant Speed: The utility of Withered Wretch’s ability to exile at instant speed cannot be overstated. This allows for reactive play during an opponent’s turn or in response to graveyard activation, making Withered Wretch a versatile tool that fits into the pace of any match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Withered Wretch requires careful hand management as it necessitates consistent graveyard disruption to be effective. Without a steady stream of cards to discard, the Wretch’s utility may be hindered, posing a challenge for players already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Withered Wretch has a dedicated color requirement of two black mana. This restricts its inclusion to black-centric or heavy black splash decks, potentially limiting the variety of decks it can optimize.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a two-cost creature isn’t typically seen as expensive, in the realm of competitive gameplay, there are other cards at the same mana cost that could advance your board state or disrupt opponents more immediately. The Wretch’s cost-to-effect ratio can be seen as a drawback when compared to these alternatives.


Reasons to Include Withered Wretch in Your Collection

Versatility: Withered Wretch offers utility in a wide array of deck types, particularly those seeking control over graveyard interactions. Its ability to exile cards from graveyards on-demand makes it a flexible choice against a variety of opponent strategies.

Combo Potential: The Wretch seamlessly integrates with decks that capitalize on graveyard manipulation. It serves both as a disruptor to your opponent’s graveyard-based combos and a way to fine-tune your own graveyard for reanimation tactics or other synergetic plays.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where decks heavily rely on graveyard strategies, having a Withered Wretch can give you an upper hand. Its presence is a deterrent against strategies that utilize the graveyard as a resource, making it a relevant sideboard card or even a main-deck consideration in certain metas.


How to beat

Withered Wretch, a formidable creature in Magic: The Gathering, stands as a stalwart against graveyard strategies. This zombie cleric, specific to black mana, allows players to exile cards from graveyards, thwarting plans that rely on recursion or graveyard synergies. To effectively counter Withered Wretch, prioritize removal spells that can target and eliminate it swiftly before it disrupts your graveyard. Consider spells like Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile for their efficiency in handling such creatures.

Additionally, having instant-speed interaction is crucial as it grants the flexibility to respond to the Wretch’s activation. It’s also beneficial to diversify your strategy, not overly depending on the graveyard. Enhancing your board with creatures that have hexproof or shroud can prevent Withered Wretch from targeting key elements of your gameplay. In summary, deploying prompt removal, having instant-speed interaction, and reducing reliance on graveyard-focused plans can tilt the match in your favor against a Withered Wretch on the opposing side of the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Withered Wretch MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Friday Night Magic 2003, 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 Withered Wretch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Withered Wretch Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2009-09-04. Illustrated by Tim Hildebrandt.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 362622003NormalBlackTim Hildebrandt
22003-01-01Friday Night Magic 2003F03 122003NormalBlackTim Hildebrandt
32003-02-03LegionsLGN 861997NormalBlackTim Hildebrandt
42006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 541997NormalBlackTim Hildebrandt
52009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 452003NormalBlackTim Hildebrandt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Withered Wretch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal