Snarling Wolf MTG Card


Snarling Wolf can escalate in power, making it a persistent early threat on the board. Activatable at instant speed, it allows for strategic flexibility and unpredictability. Despite being mana and card efficient, it faces stiff competition from other one-drops.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Wolf
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

: Snarling Wolf gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Activate only once each turn.

"Oh, thank the angels. It's not a werewolf, just a regular wo—" —Bruno, Ulvenwald guide, last words


Cards like Snarling Wolf

Snarling Wolf finds its niche among other efficient one-drop creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It makes for an apt comparison with cards like Sparring Construct, which also presents a one mana creature, though with a different flavor—offering a +1/+1 counter to another creature upon death rather than a direct power boost.

Another similar contender is Gingerbrute, which brings more versatility to the table. Despite sharing the same low casting cost, Gingerbrute’s haste and evasion abilities potentially offer a faster and less obstructed impact on the game. In addition, Gingerbrute can also be sacrificed for life gain, a utility that Snarling Wolf lacks.

Drawing a parallel within the wolf theme, Wolfbitten Captive is worth mentioning. Although it requires an additional mana for its first boost, this card can transform into a more powerful creature, presenting a different type of scaling threat as the game progresses, juxtaposed against Snarling Wolf’s immediate but single-dimensional power enhancement.

While Snarling Wolf may not offer the multifaceted utility of some of its peers, its straightforward and accessible power boost can be a solid choice for players looking to press the advantage early in the game with a straightforward creature card.

Sparring Construct - MTG Card versions
Gingerbrute - MTG Card versions
Sparring Construct - MTG Card versions
Gingerbrute - MTG Card versions

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

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Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Rime Dryad - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Willow Dryad - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Elvish Berserker - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Taunting Elf - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elite - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Snarling Wolf provides a consistent threat on the board that can be difficult for your opponent to efficiently deal with. While it may not draw cards directly, having a creature you can pump repeatedly forces the opponent to answer it or face increasing damage.

Resource Acceleration: This agile creature comes down with a minimal mana investment, allowing you to keep your resources open for other actions. With its ability to get stronger, it ensures that any mana left unspent each turn can translate directly into a power boost.

Instant Speed: Although Snarling Wolf itself isn’t played at instant speed, its ability can be activated anytime you could play an instant. This flexibility lets you adapt to the evolving game, whether that’s growing the wolf during combat on your turn or beefing it up to deter attacks on your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Despite its potential for early aggression, Snarling Wolf requires the player to discard a card in order to activate certain abilities. This can be quite taxing, especially when the player’s hand size is dwindling, and crucial resources could be better preserved for pivotal moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Snarling Wolf’s dependence on green mana narrows its utility to decks that incorporate sufficient green sources. This specificity can restrict deck-building options and, potentially, the card’s performance in multicolored deck strategies where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Snarling Wolf occupies the one-green mana slot, it competes against other one-drop creatures and spells. The requirement to invest additional mana to utilize its full capabilities means it may not be the most mana-efficient choice in a situation where optimizing every mana point is critical.


Reasons to Include Snarling Wolf in Your Collection

Versatility: Snarling Wolf adds value as an adaptable early game piece, fitting comfortably into a range of aggressive and creature-based strategies, offering a reliable board presence in the initial turns of play.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with decks that capitalize on creature count or those looking to unlock bonuses from having a Wolf or Werewolf, amplifying existing deck themes or strategic payoffs.

Meta-Relevance: As game formats continuously evolve, maintaining a low-cost creature with the capability to become a threat can keep opponents on their toes, especially in environments where quick starts are crucial to securing victory.


How to beat

Snarling Wolf might seem like a humble start for many MTG green deck strategies, but even small obstacles require a game plan. This one-drop creature card has the potential to grow stronger during your turn, a factor not to be underestimated. Players facing it can utilize early removal spells, such as Shock or Fatal Push, to take it down before it becomes a significant threat. Keeping removal cards in hand during the first few turns is always a strategic move against such creatures.

Alternatively, blocking the Snarling Wolf with creatures that have higher toughness can effectively neutralize its impact without losing card advantage. Since it can’t buff itself during your opponent’s turn, it becomes a clear target for a favorable block. An efficient defensive line-up featuring durable low-cost creatures not only handles the Wolf well but also sets a strong defensive foundation for the rest of the game.

Ultimately, preventing the Snarling Wolf from snowballing into a more considerable threat proves most effective when tackled early. By prioritizing its removal or using savvy block strategies, you ensure that this early-game creature doesn’t pave the way for a tougher fight as the game progresses.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Snarling Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Snarling Wolf and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Snarling Wolf Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Ilse Gort.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 1992015NormalBlackIlse Gort
22021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 2192015NormalBlackIlse Gort
32022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 4862015NormalBlackIlse Gort
42022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 1992015NormalBlackIlse Gort

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Snarling Wolf has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal