Quick Answer

Cruel Witness is a common Creature — Bird Horror from DBL (DBL) costing {2}{U}{U}. Current price: $0.23 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Cruel Witness MTG card

Cruel Witness

Creature — Bird Horror

Card Text

Flying Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put it into your graveyard.)

"I escaped, so why do I still feel like I'm being watched?" —Gregel, militia leader

Card Stats

3/3 common CMC: 4.0 DBL DBL 🎨 Vincent Proce
Flying Surveil

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.23
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.30
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$1.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.08
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.71
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Pioneer Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (3 total)

Community Stats

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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cruel Witness? Basics

Cruel Witness is a Creature — Bird Horror card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Flying Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put it into your graveyard.)"

How much mana does Cruel Witness cost to cast? Basics

Cruel Witness has a mana cost of {2}{U}{U}, which equals 4.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Cruel Witness's mana cost of {2}{U}{U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Cruel Witness has a mana value of 4.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Cruel Witness's current oracle text is: "Flying Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put it into your graveyard.)"

What is the current price of Cruel Witness? Pricing

The current market price for Cruel Witness is approximately $0.23 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.3 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.08 EUR.

Where can I buy Cruel Witness? Pricing

You can purchase Cruel Witness from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Cruel Witness normal: $0.23 | foil: $0.3

Is Cruel Witness legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Cruel Witness in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Cruel Witness legal in Modern? Legality

Cruel Witness is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Cruel Witness legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Cruel Witness is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Cruel Witness legal in Pioneer? Legality

Cruel Witness is Legal in Pioneer format.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Cruel Witness legal in Legacy? Legality

Cruel Witness is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Cruel Witness legal in Vintage? Legality

Cruel Witness is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Cruel Witness legal in Pauper? Legality

Cruel Witness is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Cruel Witness from? Details

This printing of Cruel Witness is from DBL (DBL), with collector number 322.

Cruel Witness may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Cruel Witness's rarity? Details

Cruel Witness is a common card in DBL.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Cruel Witness? Details

Cruel Witness was illustrated by Vincent Proce.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is Cruel Witness's power and toughness? Details

Cruel Witness is a 3/3 creature.

Power (3) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (3) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

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