Wandering Wolf MTG Card


Boosts card advantage when combined with certain enchantments or equipment cards. Enhances deck strategies with its synergy for creating surprise turns and pressure. Its evasive abilities keep it relevant in dynamic metagames, adapting to board states.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Wolf
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Creatures with power less than Wandering Wolf's power can't block it.

Humans still feared wolves, though no connection between them and the curse of lycanthropy had ever been proved.


Cards like Wandering Wolf

Wandering Wolf is an intriguing creature card that offers a particular tactical advantage within Magic: The Gathering. It bears comparison to Llanowar Elves, which is also a low-cost creature. The distinction lies in the Elves’ ability to tap for mana, providing a utility that the Wandering Wolf lacks. Instead, Wandering Wolf’s strength lies in its ability to become unblockable by creatures with less power, a trait reflecting its predatory design and strategic finesse in gameplay.

In the same realm of hard-to-block creatures, Invisible Stalker presents a solid comparison, equipped with hexproof and unblockability. Invisible Stalker ensures it remains a constant threat without offering an easy target for removal or blockers. While it doesn’t grow like the Wolf, its resilience in the game is noteworthy. Another creature worth mentioning is the elusive Soltari Trooper, which also cannot be blocked except by creatures with shadow, though its lower toughness makes it more vulnerable than our Wandering Wolf.

Clearly, Wandering Wolf can stand its ground among creatures designed to slip past defenses. Its unique balance between being a creature that’s tricky for opponents to neutralize and its potential to swing games undetected makes it a valuable creature card in Magic: The Gathering’s vast roster.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Invisible Stalker - MTG Card versions
Soltari Trooper - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Invisible Stalker - MTG Card versions
Soltari Trooper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Wandering Wolf by color, type and mana cost

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Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wandering Wolf can contribute to card advantage in games, especially when paired with equipment or enchantments that draw cards upon dealing combat damage to a player.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of resource acceleration, Wandering Wolf’s ability to potentially avoid blockers makes it easier to connect with effects that generate additional resources upon hitting an opponent.

Instant Speed: Although Wandering Wolf does not have any abilities that function at instant speed, its inherent ability to be less likely to be blocked can synergize with other cards in your deck that operate at instant speed, such as combat tricks or flash creatures, creating unexpected turns and maintaining pressure on your opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wandering Wolf demands the player to discard another creature card, which could present a challenge during tight gameplay scenarios or when the hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a mix of both green and colorless mana to cast. For players running multicolored decks, especially those that aren’t heavy on green, it could be tough to manage the mana requirements consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be seen as steep for its base stats and abilities, Wandering Wolf competes with other creatures and spells that may offer more impact on the battlefield for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wandering Wolf boasts an intrinsic ability to be unblockable by creatures with less power, making it a solid fit for decks emphasizing evasive strategies. Its presence can apply consistent pressure in decks geared towards chip damage.

Combo Potential: This creature has synergy with buffs and equipment, amplifying its potential to be an unstoppable force. Combining it with cards that increase its power turns it into a serious threat that can evade most blockers with ease.

Meta-Relevance: As the battlefield evolves with creatures of varying power levels, Wandering Wolf maintains relevance. It can become an essential tool in games where board control and unblockable creatures are crucial for gaining an advantage over your opponent.


How to Beat

Wandering Wolf presents a challenge with its ability to be unblockable by creatures with less power. This characteristic makes it an intriguing player on the battlefield, often slipping through opponents’ defenses. To effectively counter this elusive creature, it’s essential to understand your deck’s options for removal or power-based control.

One strategy includes utilizing spells that can target creatures regardless of power levels. Cards that can exile creatures, such as Path to Exile, or destroy them, like Doom Blade, bypass the limitations set by Wandering Wolf’s ability. Alternatively, boosting your creatures’ power to surpass that of the Wolf is another solution, allowing your defenses to intercept it effectively.

Taking these approaches into consideration, you can tailor your strategy to deal with Wandering Wolf without letting it dictate the flow of the match. While it can be a thorn in your side if unaddressed, a well-prepared deck with the right control elements will have no issue keeping this creature in check. Remember, sometimes the best offense is a good defense.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wandering Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Battlebond, 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 Wandering Wolf and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wandering Wolf Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Tomasz Jedruszek.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 2022003NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
22018-06-08BattlebondBBD 2162015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wandering Wolf has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-05-01 The comparison of power is only done when blockers are declared. Increasing the power of a blocking creature (or decreasing the power of Wandering Wolf) after this point won’t cause any creature to stop blocking or become unblocked.