Pyreheart Wolf MTG Card


Pyreheart Wolf’s undying ability offers board resilience and persistent assault capabilities. It synergizes with attack-triggered abilities and complicates enemy blocks. Despite mana cost nuances, its versatility in red-centered decks is significant.
Pyreheart Wolf - Dark Ascension
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Wolf
Abilities Undying
Released2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameDark Ascension
Set codeDKA
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number101
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byLars Grant-West

Text of card

Whenever Pyreheart Wolf attacks, each creature you control can't be blocked this turn except by two or more creatures. Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)


Cards like Pyreheart Wolf

Pyreheart Wolf holds a distinctive place in the realm of creature cards with evasion abilities. Comparable to creatures like Goblin War Drums, both cards ensure that creatures are harder to block by requiring multiple blockers. However, Pyreheart Wolf comes with undying, providing resilience and a threat that persists beyond the first removal attempt. This ability to return to the battlefield, even stronger, puts Pyreheart Wolf a step ahead in terms of survivability.

Another card to consider alongside is Madcap Skills. This aura grants a creature the ability to be blocked only by two or more creatures, akin to Pyreheart Wolf’s effect during your turn. Madcap Skills also boosts the creature’s power, increasing the pressure on your opponent. Despite the strength of this enchantment, Pyreheart Wolf’s inherent evasion is not dependent on other cards and offers an inherent advantage within creature-heavy strategies.

When evaluating Pyreheart Wolf against its peers in terms of forcing strategic blocks and its staying power on the board, it’s clear that Pyreheart Wolf secures its position as a formable card, especially in aggressive red decks within Magic: The Gathering. Its undying ability, combined with the multiple-blockers requirement, gives it a unique edge in combat scenarios.

Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions
Madcap Skills - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions
Madcap Skills - MTG Card versions

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

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Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When referring to Pyreheart Wolf, the advantage comes in a slightly different form. Each time Pyreheart Wolf attacks, it forces the opponent to make difficult blocking decisions, potentially leading to advantageous trades for you. With undying, it returns to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter after death, potentially refueling your assault and maintaining your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While Pyreheart Wolf doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it plays a specific role in resource acceleration by making your creatures harder to block. This can lead to quicker damage accumulation and a faster route to depleting your opponent’s life total. Putting pressure on the opponent can disrupt their game plan, indirectly impacting the resource race.

Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant itself, Pyreheart Wolf interacts favorably with instant-speed spells in your arsenal. With the wolf on the battlefield, casting instants before your attack can heighten the complexity of your assault, forcing opponents to ponder their blocks even more carefully in the face of potential combat tricks or removal spells.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Pyreheart Wolf doesn’t directly need you to discard a card, its Undying ability means you might be compelled to play extra resources to get the most benefit when the card returns to the battlefield. This could indirectly lead to resource depletion as you juggle maintaining board presence and hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Pyreheart Wolf comes with a mana cost that requires both generic and red mana. This specificity can limit its inclusion to decks that can consistently produce red mana, potentially excluding it from more color-flexible or multicolor deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Pyreheart Wolf’s mana cost might be considered moderate, the investment for a 1/1 creature that provides limited immediate impact could be seen as steep. Other creatures or spells at a similar cost may offer more immediate board presence or control, potentially reducing Pyreheart Wolf’s desirability in a deck build where every mana point counts.


Reasons to Include Pyreheart Wolf in Your Collection

Versatility: Pyreheart Wolf brings a unique dynamic to red aggro and midrange decks, as it grants your creatures menace until end of turn each time it attacks, making blocking a nightmare for your opponents.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that benefit from attack triggers or require your creatures to be difficult to block, enabling it to slot into various combos and synergistic plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board stalls are common, Pyreheart Wolf can be a game-changer, forcing opponents to allocate more blockers and potentially disrupting their defense strategies. Its undying ability also ensures resilience against sweepers and spot removal, maintaining your board presence.


How to beat

Pyreheart Wolf is a unique creature within Magic: The Gathering, distinguished by its ability to make it a challenge for opponents to block your attacking creatures. When Pyreheart Wolf attacks, it grants your other attackers the menace ability, requiring any blockers to be double-blocked, which can be a significant hurdle in close matches.

Combatting the effects of Pyreheart Wolf hinges on either removing it from play or neutralizing its influence. Spot removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are direct ways to deal with Pyreheart Wolf before it can affect combat. Board control spells like Wrath of God or similar sweepers can also clear the Wolf along with the rest of the opponent’s threats. Alternatively, stabilizing your board with plenty of creatures can mitigate the menace effect, or use enchantments and artifacts that prevent your creatures from being targeted by abilities. Keep in mind, consistent board presence and proactive removal are essential in keeping Pyreheart Wolf from overpowering your defenses.

Understanding how to disrupt your opponent’s strategy when Pyreheart Wolf hits the battlefield is crucial. Strategic removal and maintaining a robust creature lineup can sway the game back into your favor and overcome the challenges presented by this resilient Wolf.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the intricate world of MTG deck-building, Pyreheart Wolf emerges as a fascinating addition to red-based strategies. Its ability to complicate your opponent’s blocking decisions gives it an edge in aggressive decks. By exploring the pros and cons, similar cards, and tactics for countering this creature, you gain comprehensive insights that can inform your gameplay. Whether it’s leveraging its undying ability for board resilience or finding its place within your collection, Pyreheart Wolf has merits to consider. For an in-depth journey through deck optimization and strategic plays, join us to uncover new layers of the MTG realm and enhance your competitive edge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pyreheart Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, 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 Pyreheart Wolf and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pyreheart Wolf has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal