Witch's Mark — ruling 1

You can cast Witch's Mark without a target just to discard a card and draw two cards. However, if you do choose a target, and that target is illegal at the time Witch's Mark tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't discard, draw, or create a Wicked Role token.

Witch's Mark — ruling 2

If you don't choose a target for Witch's Mark, the Wicked Role token won't be created.

Witch's Mark — ruling 3

Roles are colorless enchantment tokens. Each one has the Aura and Role subtypes and the enchant creature ability.

Witch's Mark — ruling 4

If a permanent has more than one Role attached to it controlled by the same player, each of those Roles except the one with the most recent timestamp is put into its owner's graveyard. This is a state-based action.

Witch's Mark — ruling 5

If two or more Roles controlled by the same player become attached to a permanent at the same time (perhaps due to an effect such as that of Doubling Season), that player chooses which one to keep and which are put into their owners' graveyards.

Witch's Mark — ruling 6

A permanent can have multiple Roles attached to it if each one is controlled by a different player.

Witch's Mark — ruling 7

Some spells and abilities that create Role tokens require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Role token won't be created.

Witch's Mark — ruling 8

In rare cases, a spell or ability might attempt to create a Role token enchanting a permanent that it can't legally enchant (because of an ability like protection from enchantments). In such cases, the Role token isn't created.

Witch's Mark : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Witch's Mark is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

You may discard a card. If you do, draw two cards. Create a Wicked Role token attached to up to one target creature you control. (If you control another Role on it, put that one into the graveyard. Enchanted creature gets +1/+1. When this token is put into a graveyard, each opponent loses 1 life.)

Complete guide

Witch's Mark is a versatile red sorcery from the Wilds of Eldraine set that combines card filtering with the flavor of Roles. It allows you to cycle through your deck while simultaneously boosting a creature and preparing a punishing death trigger for your opponents.

Filtering and Enchanting

Witch's Mark performs two distinct actions: it offers a 'rummaging' effect (discarding then drawing) and creates a Wicked Role token. The Wicked Role is a specific Aura that grants the enchanted creature +1/+1 and forces opponents to lose 1 life when the token is sent to the graveyard. Because the card text says 'up to one target creature,' you have the flexibility to cast this spell even if you have no creatures on the board just for the card draw.

Resolution Steps

First, when you cast the spell, you choose whether to target a creature you control. Upon resolution, you first choose whether to discard a card; if you do, you draw two cards. Next, if you selected a target, you create the Wicked Role token attached to it. If that creature already had a Role controlled by you, the old Role is put into the graveyard immediately after Witch's Mark finishes resolving due to state-based actions.

Common Mistakes

The most common pitfall involves targeting. If you choose a target creature and that creature is removed from the battlefield or becomes an illegal target before the spell resolves, the entire spell is countered by rules. You will not get to discard or draw any cards. If you primarily need the cards, it is often safer to cast Witch's Mark without a target to ensure the draw effect cannot be fizzled by a removal spell.

Strategic Timing

As a sorcery, you'll play this during your main phase to dig for answers or aggressive threats. The Wicked Role is particularly useful on creatures you expect to trade in combat, as the graveyard trigger ensures you get value even if your creature dies. It is a strictly better version of standard rummaging when you have a board presence to support the Role token.

Interaction examples

Safe Rummaging

You cast Witch's Mark choosing no targets. The spell resolves, you discard one land card and draw two new cards. No Role token is created, but the spell cannot be fizzled by an opponent's removal spell.

Boosting a Threat

Wicked // Cursed

You cast Witch's Mark targeting a creature you control. As it resolves, you discard a card and draw two. Then, a Wicked Role token is attached to the creature. The creature gets +1/+1. If that creature later dies, the Wicked Role goes to the graveyard and your opponent loses 1 life.

Efficiency Comparison

Faithless Looting

Unlike Faithless Looting, which draws first and then discards two cards, Witch's Mark requires you to discard first to get the draw. However, Witch's Mark provides card advantage (you end up with more cards in hand if you discard one and draw two) and board presence via the Role, whereas Looting is card disadvantage used for graveyard setup.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Witch's Mark

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
You can cast Witch's Mark without a target just to discard a card and draw two cards. However, if you do choose a target, and that target is illegal at the time Witch's Mark tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't discard, draw, or create a Wicked Role token.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If you don't choose a target for Witch's Mark, the Wicked Role token won't be created.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Roles are colorless enchantment tokens. Each one has the Aura and Role subtypes and the enchant creature ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent has more than one Role attached to it controlled by the same player, each of those Roles except the one with the most recent timestamp is put into its owner's graveyard. This is a state-based action.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If two or more Roles controlled by the same player become attached to a permanent at the same time (perhaps due to an effect such as that of Doubling Season), that player chooses which one to keep and which are put into their owners' graveyards.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
A permanent can have multiple Roles attached to it if each one is controlled by a different player.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Some spells and abilities that create Role tokens require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Role token won't be created.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
In rare cases, a spell or ability might attempt to create a Role token enchanting a permanent that it can't legally enchant (because of an ability like protection from enchantments). In such cases, the Role token isn't created.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Hexproof and shroud won't prevent a Role from becoming attached to a permanent if the ability creating that Role attached to that permanent doesn't target it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Cards in the Wilds of Eldraine main set create six different Role tokens: Cursed, Monster, Royal, Sorcerer, Wicked, and Young Hero. A seventh Role token, Virtuous, is created by Ellivere of the Wild Court, the commander of the "Virtue and Valor" Commander Deck.
No other card is named in this ruling.