Howling Mine MTG Card


Howling Mine grants consistent card draw, critical for decks that rely on card quantity for combos or responses. Its symmetry can backfire; opponents draw extra too, possibly tipping the scales in their favor instead. Despite the drawbacks, its potential for enabling powerful combos makes it a worthy deck inclusion.
Card setsReleased in 30 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

Each player draws one extra card each turn during his or her draw phase.


Cards like Howling Mine

Howling Mine has carved its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a notable artifact that aids both players in drawing an additional card each turn. It’s an amusing comparison to Fountain of Knowledge, which also provides a card to each player during their draw step. Howling Mine remains a staple due to its continuous effect so long as it remains untapped, fostering a unique sense of shared advantage, whereas Fountain of Knowledge offers a one-time benefit unless additional mana is paid.

Another intriguing artifact is Temple Bell. It presents a controller-activated ability allowing each player to draw a card, leading to strategic planning around the timing of the card draws. Temple Bell’s voluntary method contrasts with the mandatory draw from an untapped Howling Mine, providing a layer of control over the game’s tempo. Geier Reach Sanitarium is also worth mentioning, as it both draws and discards cards for each player, integrating both increased access to resources and strategic graveyard filling, a contrast to the simpler resource boost from Howling Mine.

Assessing these options, Howling Mine stands out as a card that inherently shapes the game dynamics, enticing players with the prospect of additional resources while challenging them to manage the benefits bestowed upon their opponent as well.

Temple Bell - MTG Card versions
Geier Reach Sanitarium - MTG Card versions
Temple Bell - MTG Card versions
Geier Reach Sanitarium - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Howling Mine by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
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Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
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Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Jandor's Saddlebags - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Mask of Intolerance - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Howling Mine. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-BlueMono-Blue Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024
Red Deck WinsRed Deck Wins Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024
Turbo FogTurbo Fog Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024
Mono-Blue PrisonMono-Blue Prison LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 2
Izzet ControlIzzet Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 1
Taking TurnsTaking Turns ModernTaking TurnsModern Challenge 96 2024-02-04
Dimir ComboDimir Combo ModernTaking TurnsLast Chance Qualifier Ghent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Howling Mine provides a continuous stream of cards by allowing each player to draw an additional card during their draw step. This can be especially potent in decks designed to make use of numerous cards or searching for specific combo pieces.

Resource Acceleration: By increasing the number of cards you draw, Howling Mine can indirectly accelerate your resources. More cards in hand mean more opportunities to make land drops and cast a greater number of spells, propelling you ahead of opponents who might not capitalize on the extra draw as effectively.

Instant Speed: Though Howling Mine itself is an artifact that operates at sorcery speed, the additional cards drawn can lead to a greater number of instants at your disposal. This enables you to adapt more readily during each turn, maintaining pressure or responding to threats more efficiently. This element of surprise can be a game-changer in many matches.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Howling Mine offers the benefit of additional card draw, it does not discern between players. This means that your opponents also gain the advantage of drawing an extra card each turn, which could be detrimental if they are in need of resources or running a similar strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Howling Mine requires two generic mana to play, which is easily accommodated in any deck. However, the absence of color means it doesn’t contribute towards color-specific synergies or requirements, which could be a minor con for some strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a two mana artifact, Howling Mine might seem cost-effective for the card advantage it provides. However, since it benefits all players equally, one could argue that its cost is relatively high for an effect that might advance your opponent’s strategy just as much, if not more than your own.


Reasons to Include Howling Mine in Your Collection

Versatility: Howling Mine is a unique card that can be utilized in decks that thrive on drawing multiple cards each turn. It offers a way to consistently ensure card flow, whether you’re playing control, combo, or even certain aggro builds that exhaust their hand quickly.

Combo Potential: This card is not just a draw engine — it has the potential to be a combo enabler. Paired with cards that restrict your opponents from drawing extra cards or with effects that benefit from multiple draws per turn, Howling Mine can turn into a powerful asymmetrical asset.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s fast-paced and aggressive, Howling Mine can help keep your hand filled with answers or threats. Conversely, in slower, more control-oriented metas, it can offer the necessary card advantage to outlast opponents. Because of this adaptability, Howling Mine has cemented its place as a valuable tool in various metagames over the years.


How to beat

Howling Mine is a card that carries with it both a benefit and a potential downside in MTG. It’s praised for its ability to offer each player additional card draw during their draw step, but to turn this advantage in your favor requires strategic play. The key to beating Howling Mine lies in asymmetric resource utilization, controlling when Howling Mine activates, or by making the additional draws a disadvantage for the opponent.

For instance, manipulating the timing of activations could be achieved by playing cards that allow you to tap or untap artifacts, thus dictating when Howling Mine’s ability applies. Alternatively, using cards that punish the opponent for drawing or holding too many cards can transform Howling Mine from a resource boon to a liability. This can be seen in decks that include cards like Underworld Dreams or Ebony Owl Netsuke, which inflict damage to opponents when they have an ample hand.

By ensuring you gain the upper hand from the extra draws, whether through strategic denial or turning the tide with symmetrical effects, you can mitigate the potential risks of Howling Mine and maintain control of the game, leveraging what others might see as an equal benefit to your unique advantage.


BurnMana Recommendations

The journey through the MTG multiverse is replete with choices that can make or break your strategy. Howling Mine is the kind of card that demands careful consideration and manipulation to turn the tide of battle in your favor. If you’re intrigued by the potential of Howling Mine, keen to unlock its combo potential, or simply looking to spice up your collection with this staple, dive deeper to refine your approach. Make sure your next encounter at the table is a display of tactical prowess. Join our community to further dissect the nuances of Howling Mine and similar MTG cards, ensuring your arsenal is prepared for any clash.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Howling Mine MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Howling Mine and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Howling Mine Magic the Gathering card was released in 24 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 2471993NormalBlackMark Poole
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2481993NormalBlackMark Poole
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2481993NormalWhiteMark Poole
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2481993NormalBlackMark Poole
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2481993NormalBlackMark Poole
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2511993NormalBlackMark Poole
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2511993NormalWhiteMark Poole
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2511993NormalWhiteMark Poole
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 3251993NormalWhiteMark Poole
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 3251993NormalBlackMark Poole
111996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC mj3251993NormalGoldMark Poole
121997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3771997NormalWhiteMark Poole
131999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 2901997NormalWhiteMark Poole
142001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 3001997NormalWhiteDana Knutson
152001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 300★1997NormalBlackDana Knutson
162003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 303★2003NormalBlackDana Knutson
172003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 3032003NormalWhiteDana Knutson
182005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 298★2003NormalBlackDana Knutson
192005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2982003NormalWhiteDana Knutson
202007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 3252003NormalBlackRalph Horsley
212009-07-17Magic 2010M10 2122003NormalBlackRalph Horsley
222011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 2512003NormalBlackRalph Horsley
232016-11-11Commander 2016C16 2572015NormalBlackRalph Horsley
242019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 1772015NormalBlackMark Poole
252020-09-26The ListPLST M10-2122003NormalBlackRalph Horsley
262022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 831997NormalBlackMark Poole
272022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 201997NormalBlackMark Poole
282022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 83z1997NormalBlackMark Poole
292022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5411997NormalBlackMark Poole
302022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2442015NormalBlackMark Poole

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Howling Mine has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Howling Mine card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 If Howling Mine leaves the battlefield before it resolves, then the last known tap or untap state of the card is used for resolution.
2004-10-04 It does not trigger at all if this is tapped at the start of the draw step, and it checks this again on resolution.
2004-10-04 The additional draw is separate from any other draw during your draw step. It happens when the triggered ability resolves.
2013-04-15 The triggered ability is put onto the stack after you have already drawn your card for the turn.