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Warlock
Warlock
Creature Type
(Subtype for creature/tribal cards)
Statistics
115 cards
{W} 3.5% {U} 1.7% {B} 58.3% {R} 5.2% {G} 3.5% {W/U} 0.9% {B/R} 4.3% {R/G} 1.7% {G/W} 1.7% {W/B} 7.8% {U/R} 1.7% {B/G} 6.1% {R/W} 0.9% {M} 2.6%
as of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Scryfall Search
type:"Warlock"

Warlock is a creature class introduced in Throne of Eldraine.[1] It is used for cards that depict practitioners of witchcraft.

Description[ | ]

With the introduction of Warlock, all colors have a primary spellcaster type, with Warlock being primary in black.[2][3] Warlocks could be secondary in blue or red,[4] but Arcavios had many part-white warlocks and Innistrad had mono-green and even mono-white ones.

A Warlock gains their spellcasting power by making a deal with a demon or another dark being.[5]

The term Warlock is gender neutral.[6] It is therefore now the preferred creature class for witches and hags.[1][7][8]

History[ | ]

At the same time of its introduction in Throne of Eldraine, Dread Warlock of Magic 2010 received the type retroactively.[9]

For Outlaws of Thunder Junction Warlocks were batched as outlaws.[10]

Storyline[ | ]

Arcavios[ | ]

On Arcavios, a significant portion of Witherbloom and Silverquill's alumni are warlocks. Although their magical techniques are ruthless, they are typically advised against making demonic pacts.

In addition, the Oriq, a group of mages who study forbidden war magic, are almost exclusively warlocks as well.

Eldraine[ | ]

Eldraine Witches are humans who chose to live in the wilds, so far removed from humanity that they might as well be fair folk. They are usually cruel but can sometimes be seen as a ruthless force for justice.[11] Most crave power by any means and aren't above cheating, sacrificing, or allying with whatever they believe will get them closer to that power.[12] Much of their magic is performed with cauldrons and delivered as a poison or potion. The most aggressive witch spells take the form of shattering mirrors.

Various creatures serve Eldraine's witches.[12] In Dunbarrow, it's not uncommon to see ravens and bats flitting through the canopy, or cats or otters scurrying through the undergrowth, to deliver messages to allies or rivals across the marsh. Some witches animate bundles of sticks and roots to do their errands, while others animate furniture, weapons, or other objects.

Eldraine's dragons sometimes practice witchcraft, becoming known as witchkites.

Innistrad[ | ]

Normal Witches[ | ]

Several black-aligned spell crafters are called witches (though some are shamans instead of warlocks). Some are necromancers, others make demonic pacts.

Dawnhart[ | ]

Dawnhart witches are mostly green and white-aligned warlocks that follow primordial, pagan traditions. After Avacyn's death, they have taken to organizing large festivities, hoping to beat back the darkness and lengthen the days. Members of the coven seem to have made a pact with a god called Ghrin-Danu.[13]

Some took to worshiping the Coiled One, becoming a threat to even other members of the coven.[14]

Notable Warlocks[ | ]

Gallery[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. a b Mark Rosewater (September 5, 2019). "I get that warlock is the new subtype". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. Mark Rosewater (September 6, 2019). "Is Cleric considered a "spellcaster" type?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  3. Mark Rosewater (October 21, 2019). "More Odds & Ends: Throne of Eldraine". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Mark Rosewater (November 24, 2020). "Warlocks are primary in black. Would secondary be Red?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. Mark Rosewater (September 6, 2019). "in DnD a wizard is a learned spellcaster, where a warlock makes some sort of deal for power.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. Mark Rosewater (September 6, 2019). "Still confused as to how warlock won out over witch.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. Mark Rosewater (September 4, 2019). "Why was Warlock chosen over Witch?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. Mark Rosewater (September 6, 2019). "Does the Warlock type preclude the use of the Hag type?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. Eli Shiffrin (September 27, 2019). "Throne of Eldraine Oracle Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. Mark Rosewater (March 26, 2024). "Outlaw of the Land, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. Chris Mooney (October 31, 2019). "Planeswalker's Guide to Eldraine". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. a b James Wyatt et al. (2023). "D&D Monstrous Compendium: Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures". Wizards of the Coast.
  13. https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/sisters-2021-09-10
  14. https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/sisters-2021-09-10
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