Release the Dogs MTG Card


Generates four 1/1 Dog tokens for strategic board presence and combo potential in gameplay. Demands white mana specificity, limiting its use to certain deck types. Flexible card, key for diversified strategies and maintaining meta-relevance in a dynamic game.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Create four 1/1 white Dog creature tokens.

They charge into battle and out for their morning walk with the same exuberance.


Cards like Release the Dogs

Release the Dogs stands out in the pantheon of token generation within Magic: The Gathering. When you cast this card, you get four 1/1 white Dog creature tokens. This quadruple burst of creatures can be likened to one of its predecessors – Gather the Townsfolk. Gather the Townsfolk decks out two 1/1 white Human creature tokens for two mana, half the output of Release the Dogs but at a lower cost and earlier playability in the game.

Another card crossing the comparison table is Raise the Alarm. This instant lets you create two 1/1 white Soldier tokens. Both Raise the Alarm and Release the Dogs allow you to quickly develop a board presence. Yet, Release the Dogs offers double the token count, signaling a stronger late-game mass creature strategy. Not to forget Spectral Procession—while not creating Dogs, it does summon three 1/1 white Spirit tokens with flying, providing both quantity and a tactical aerial advantage.

Assessing these options, Release the Dogs occupies a unique role within MTG’s creature token spells, delivering a significant number of creatures that can effectively overwhelm opponents.

Gather the Townsfolk - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Spectral Procession - MTG Card versions
Gather the Townsfolk - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Spectral Procession - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Release the Dogs by color, type and mana cost

Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Armageddon - MTG Card versions
Resurrection - MTG Card versions
Cleanse - MTG Card versions
Breath of Life - MTG Card versions
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Replenish - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Wisdom - MTG Card versions
Decree of Justice - MTG Card versions
Presence of the Wise - MTG Card versions
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Windborne Charge - MTG Card versions
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Excoriate - MTG Card versions
Battle Screech - MTG Card versions
Cataclysm - MTG Card versions
Great Teacher's Decree - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Armageddon - MTG Card versions
Resurrection - MTG Card versions
Cleanse - MTG Card versions
Breath of Life - MTG Card versions
Vengeance - MTG Card versions
False Defeat - MTG Card versions
Ravages of War - MTG Card versions
Replenish - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Wisdom - MTG Card versions
Decree of Justice - MTG Card versions
Presence of the Wise - MTG Card versions
Divine Congregation - MTG Card versions
Retether - MTG Card versions
Windborne Charge - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions
Excoriate - MTG Card versions
Battle Screech - MTG Card versions
Cataclysm - MTG Card versions
Great Teacher's Decree - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: “Release the Dogs” provides a unique form of card efficiency by creating four 1/1 white Dog creature tokens with a single spell. This quadruples the return on your investment, propelling you ahead in board presence and potential damage output.

Resource Acceleration: The card’s potential synergies with other spells that benefit from having multiple creatures can lead to an accelerated shift in the game’s dynamics. It works exceptionally well with mechanics like Convoke or Anthems, boosting your strategy with a pack of pups ready to serve various purposes on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While “Release the Dogs” is not an instant, its low casting cost allows you to summon a small army early in the game or flexibly during your pre-combat main phase. This kind of swift deployment can surprise your opponent, setting up for advantageous moves like enhancing your creatures or overwhelming an unprepared adversary.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While ‘Release the Dogs’ doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, building a deck that synergizes well with this card often demands considerable card sacrifice. If you’re trying to maintain card advantage, the strategy around summoning multiple creatures might lead to disadvantageous discarding of valuable cards.

Specific Mana Cost: ‘Release the Dogs’ requires two white mana, which restricts this card’s playability primarily within white or two-color decks. Decks running more than two colors may find difficulty in consistently meeting its color-specific casting cost, reducing its overall versatility in a multi-colored deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana to summon four 1/1 white Dog creature tokens, some players might regard ‘Release the Dogs’ as a steep cost for creatures that individually don’t pack much power. Considering there are numerous spells and abilities that yield greater force or added utility at a similar or lower mana commitment, this can be seen as a potential downside, especially in a fast-paced game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Release the Dogs offers flexibility in deck construction, fitting comfortably into strategies that capitalize on creature numbers. Token-based decks or those requiring fodder for sacrifice or buffs stand to gain more with this card.

Combo Potential: When it comes to combo potential, Release the Dogs shines. The four 1/1 white Dog creature tokens can synergize with cards that reward you for casting creature spells, or for having a high volume of creatures enter the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence can tip the scales, Release the Dogs maintains relevance. As the meta fluctuates, it can be an unassuming yet effective tool that leverages the power of creature-based aggro decks or enhances go-wide strategies, making it a smart addition for a well-rounded collection.


How to beat Release the Dogs

Release the Dogs is a unique card that floods the battlefield with loyal canine companions, offering players a strong board presence with four 1/1 white Dog creature tokens. While this may seem like a daunting hurdle to overcome, there are effective strategies to keep these pups in check. It’s noteworthy that each token has a minimal impact individually, so board-clearing spells, such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict, can easily remove all four with a single cast. For a more proactive approach, consider cards that prevent token generation like Hushbringer, which stops the creation of Dogs on the spot. Utilize single-target removals sparingly, saving them for more significant threats.

When versing Release the Dogs, it’s also wise to keep in mind the element of token synergies. Opponents may attempt to boost their canine army with anthems or other enhancements. Counteract this strategy by keeping enchantment removal like Disenchant or creature buffs like Glorious Anthem at the ready. Always seek to disrupt your opponent’s plans by removing key pieces that would otherwise make their Dog tokens more menacing.

To sum up, dealing with Release the Dogs requires a mix of prevention and elimination. Regularly clearing the board and dismantling your adversary’s enhancement tactics will ensure that these four-legged tokens don’t overrun the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Playing MTG often feels like commanding a cadre of creatures and ‘Release the Dogs’ is a unique entry for summoning an instant army of 1/1 white Dog tokens. It’s a card that can significantly enhance your board presence and fit snugly in token-based strategies. Considering both its pros and cons, it’s clear that this card shines in the right deck setup. If you’re looking to add a pack of pups to your MTG lineup or curious about how to integrate them into existing strategies for resource acceleration and combo plays, join our community. Learn about maximizing ‘Release the Dogs’ in your game plan and tailoring your deck for success in the current meta. Let’s fetch a victory together!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Release the Dogs MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart and The List, 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 Release the Dogs and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Release the Dogs Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-17 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Jason Kang.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-07-17JumpstartJMP 42015NormalBlackJason Kang
22020-09-26The ListPLST JMP-42015NormalBlackJason Kang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Release the Dogs has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal