Wraith

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Wraith is a black creature type used for cards that depict spirit-like apparitions that are supposed to portend the death of their beholder. These spectral undead are often shown wearing a hooded cloak that partially obscures their face (or lack thereof).[1]

Description[edit]

The first card to bear the type was <c>Bog Wraith</c> in Alpha. Only five wraiths had been printed in total, until they were featured in two Universes Beyond sets. All classic black wraiths had Swampwalk. With the landwalk ability being obsoleted, the last Wraith with the ability was printed in Zendikar in 2008.

Dominaria[edit]

Template:Card plural are found on Dominaria. As the card was first printed in Alpha and then only reprinted in core sets, they most likely come from Terisiare or The Domains.

In the Serra Angel comic, a Bog Wraith was summoned along with a vampire and a frozen shade by Aldon who used the dark amulet. The wraith needed to feed on flesh or would dissipate, so joined with Aldon to attack Dreygar to reclaim his castle. When Dreygar was killed, the bog wraith remained an advisor to Aldon.

Wyndmoor Street[edit]

<c>Street Wraith</c> from Future Sight is described as living in Wyndmoor Street: as it is a Futureshifted card, both the creature and the street come from a possible future, one that hadn't been explored yet during its first printing. But because the card got reprinted since then in Dominaria Remastered, it can be assumed that the street location is on Dominaria.

Jamuraa[edit]

On Jamuura, <c>Dirtwater Wraith</c> and <c>Odylic Wraith</c> were known dangers of the land. <c>Dirtwater Wraith</c> came to threaten the kingdom of Zhalfir, while <c>Odylic Wraith</c> were feared for their ability to eat their victims' memories.

Kamigawa[edit]

Template:Card plural haunt the swamps of Takenuma on the plane of Kamigawa. (While not printed in the Kamigawa block, the flavor text of the Tenth Edition reprint informs us of this)

Zendikar[edit]

<c>Bog Tatters</c> haunt the swamps of Zendikar. They are said to be born of a brutal slaying.

Universes Beyond[edit]

Warhammer 40K[edit]

In 2022, Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks would see a new wraith in <c>Canoptek Wraith</c>, which had unblockable instead of swampwalk.

Lord of the Rings[edit]

The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth features the nine ring-wraiths, or Nazgûl.

Notable Wraiths[edit]

Universes Beyond
  • The nine Nazgûl (<c title="Card">Nazgûl</c>)
    • The Witch-king of Angmar (<c title="Card">Witch-king of Angmar</c>)
    • Lord of the Nazgûl (<c title="Card">Lord of the Nazgûl</c>)

Tokens[edit]

Template:Wraith tokens

Trivia[edit]

  • <c set="" number="" title="Woodwraith Strangler" artist="">Woodwraith Strangler</c> is modeled after a malevolent botanical being used in other fantasy media, rather than the spectral definition here.
  • <c>Odylic Wraith</c> used to be subtype Undead, but this was changed to Wraith in the Grand Creature Type Update.

References[edit]

  1. Magic Arcana (June 06, 2007). "Bells of a Street Wraith". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

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