In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the Witherbloom College from Strixhaven stands out as one of the most engaging archetypes, rooted in the tension between life and death that defines its philosophy. Despite the internal power struggles among its deans, this backdrop enriches the lore and enhances the gameplay mechanics for players.
The expansion Secrets of Strixhaven showcases numerous compelling cards for the black and green faction, and we’ve selected our top five favorites so far, along with notable mentions.
Notable Mentions
Here’s a list of some cards that just missed our top five but could make a significant impact in gameplay once the set releases:
- Intermediate Chirography
- Blood Artist
- Oracle’s Restoration
- Pest Rescuer
- Lluwen, Exchange Student
- Pest Mascot
These cards might not yet be in the spotlight, but they certainly have the potential to thrive across various formats once they become available.
Top Picks from Witherbloom
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Witherbloom Charm
This versatile card from the charm cycle is highly valued due to its multiple effective options. For just one black and one green mana, players can either gain five life, sacrifice a permanent to draw two cards, or destroy a nonland permanent that costs two mana or less. The flexibility of this card complements various Witherbloom strategies and can help in challenging early-game situations. -
Withering Curse
This sorcery utilizes the unique Infusion mechanic inherent to Witherbloom. If you have gained life before casting it, Withering Curse becomes significantly more powerful, allowing it to destroy all creatures instead of just giving them -2/-2 until the end of turn. This makes it a strong option when facing opponents with smaller creatures. -
Beledros Witherbloom
As a Commander-exclusive card, this elder dragon requires a hefty seven mana to cast, but its abilities make it worthwhile. A 4/4 flyer that creates a 1/1 black and green pest token at the beginning of each upkeep, Beledros also provides the option to untap all your lands at the cost of ten life once per turn, which can be a tactical game-changer. -
Professor Dellian Fel
One of the two new planeswalkers introduced in this set, Professor Dellian Fel boasts four useful abilities. For just four mana, he can gain life, draw cards at a cost, destroy creatures, or create emblems that deal damage to opponents whenever you gain life. This balanced card is sure to see significant play in both Standard and Commander formats. -
Witherbloom, The Balancer
This elder dragon features a staggering cost to cast, sitting at eight mana. However, its affinity for creatures allows it to become much cheaper based on the number of creatures you control. In addition to being a 5/5 flying creature with deathtouch, it grants your instant and sorcery spells the same affinity, potentially lowering your mana costs significantly.
Each of these cards brings unique mechanics and strategies to the Witherbloom College, enhancing its reputation within the MTG community. The interplay between life gain and sacrifice can create powerful combos, making this archetype a thrilling choice for players looking to expand their decks.
