Making the wretched broken
Full disclosure: I literally have never played magic, I have the basic understanding and I've watched a couple videos. This is all with the help of chatgpt, I saw the professor's video yesterday on blocking changes while I was just trying to learn about the game and then he ended up pulling the card in the stream. I just like patterns and this could potentially actually be really cool Game moment. Saw a few questions in chat how to implement so I thought I would just drop it in here.
Add: formatting and original card + Rule change
Original Text of The Wretched:
The Wretched: “At end of combat, gain control of all creatures blocking The Wretched. This effect lasts until The Wretched leaves play.”
In modern Magic, the rules for blocking have changed, and now multiple creatures can block a single attacker, so the ruling for The Wretched has been updated to fit the modern game.
Updated Modern Ruling:
• If multiple creatures block The Wretched, its ability will trigger at the end of combat.
• You gain control of all creatures that blocked The Wretched during that combat phase.
• The control effect lasts as long as The Wretched remains on the battlefield.
Key Notes on Modern Play:
- Blocked Creatures Count Individually:
• For each creature that blocked The Wretched, you gain control of all of them. It’s not limited to just one creature.
- Effect Duration:
• You retain control of the creatures until The Wretched leaves the battlefield. If The Wretched dies, you lose control of those creatures.
- Interaction with Modern Combat Rules:
• Even though multiple creatures can block in modern Magic, The Wretched’s ability still applies to all blockers. You gain control of each one at the end of combat.
Practical Example:
• You attack with The Wretched.
• Your opponent blocks with three creatures.
• At the end of combat, The Wretched’s ability triggers, and you gain control of all three blocking creatures.
• These creatures remain under your control until The Wretched leaves the battlefield.
Step 1: The Core Idea
The key to breaking The Wretched is ensuring that:
It gets blocked by multiple creatures.
It survives combat to trigger its ability.
You maintain control of the creatures afterward.
Step 2: Force Opponents to Block
To guarantee multiple blockers, use cards that either force creatures to block or make blocking mandatory
Forcing Blocks:
• Lure (Green Enchantment, 1GG):
“All creatures able to block enchanted creature do so.”
• Enchant The Wretched with Lure to force every creature your opponent controls to block it. At the end of combat, you gain control of all of them.
• Nemesis Mask (Artifact, 3):
“All creatures able to block equipped creature do so.”
• Equip to The Wretched for a repeatable, equipment-based Lure effect.
• Provoke Mechanics (e.g., Aggravated Assault or Setessan Tactics):
• Use cards that let you provoke (force a creature to block) and create awkward combat setups.
Step 3: Protect The Wretched
Ways to Ensure Survival:
• Regenerate:
• Bear Umbra (2GG): Grants totem armor (prevent destruction and remove all damage).
• Withstand Death (G): Instant that gives indestructible for a turn.
• Combat Tricks:
• Dawn Charm (1W): Prevent all combat damage dealt this turn.
• Emerge Unscathed (W): Grants protection from a color.
• Boost Toughness:
• Fortitude (1GG): Grants +1/+2 and regeneration.
• Solidarity of Heroes (1G): Double toughness for surprise surviva
Step 4: Amplify the Chaos
Once you gain control of blockers, use effects to further exploit those stolen creatures.
Sacrifice for Value:
• Phyrexian Altar (3): Sacrifice creatures for mana.
• Ashnod’s Altar (3): Sacrifice creatures for 2 colorless mana.
• Goblin Bombardment (1R): Sacrifice creatures to deal 1 damage.
Steal & Attack:
• Use cards like Fling (1R) or Keldon Marauders (1R) to turn stolen creatures into direct damage.
Step 5: Make It Meta
Here’s a theoretical combo to make The Wretched truly broken:
- Set the Battlefield:
• Cast The Wretched.
• Equip with Nemesis Mask (forcing blocks).
• Buff its toughness using Bear Umbra or Fortitude.
- Force Massive Blocks:
• Use Lure or Nemesis Mask to bait as many blockers as possible.
- Reap the Rewards:
• Gain control of all creatures that blocked The Wretched.
• Sacrifice those creatures using Phyrexian Altar for mana or Goblin Bombardment for direct damage.
- Infinite Combo Potential:
• With Ashnod’s Altar, turn stolen creatures into mana.
• Pair with Mana Echoes or Genesis Chamber to generate infinite mana or tokens.
Additional Tech
• Trample (to ensure combat damage gets through while still stealing blockers):
• Rancor (G): Gives +2/+0 and trample.
• Blanchwood Armor (2G): Boosts power/toughness based on Forests.
• Extra Combat Steps:
• Aggravated Assault (2R): Pay 3RR for an additional combat phase.
• Moraug, Fury of Akoum (6): Extra combats when lands enter the battlefield.
Deck Archetype
This strategy works best in a green/black midrange deck, focusing on control and forcing combat, while gaining explosive advantage through The Wretched’s ability. Cards like Lure, Demonic Tutor, and Greater Good can elevate this strategy to a higher level.