Warlock

Warlock
Creature Type
	(Subtype for creature/kindred cards)
Statistics	115 cards 3.5% 1.7% 58.3% 5.2% 3.5% 0.9% 4.3% 1.7% 1.7% 7.8% 1.7% 6.1% 0.9% 2.6% as of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
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	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]