Young Wolf MTG Card


Undying ability grants card advantage by forcing the opponent to expend extra removal resources. At a single mana, Young Wolf accelerates your board presence, making it mana-efficient. Instant speed interaction is influenced by its potential return, altering opponent strategies.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Wolf
Abilities Undying
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

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.)

The Ulvenwald makes no allowances for youth. Today's newborn is either tomorrow's hunter or tomorrow's lunch.


Cards like Young Wolf

Young Wolf holds its ground as one of MTG’s efficient one-drop creatures within the vast array of cards. Standing shoulder to shoulder with it, Strangleroot Geist brings a similar Undying ability to the game, but distinguishes itself with a higher power and haste, albeit at an increased mana cost. Both creatures benefit from the Undying mechanic, which ensures their resilience on the battlefield.

Another peer in these ranks is Butcher Ghoul, a direct competitor, with an identical Undying mechanic. Although it doesn’t offer the aggressive stats of Young Wolf, it does provide a more defensive presence. Exploring a different direction, Safehold Elite also shares this regeneration trait. While it doesn’t have the Attack potential of the wolf, it offers flexibility in multicolored decks with its hybrid mana cost.

Ultimately, Young Wolf shines for its minimal investment and the valuable Undying mechanic, earning it a spot in decks that capitalize on creature persistency and sacrifice strategies. Its balance of cost and effectiveness assures its place in MTG gameplay where resilient creatures are key.

Strangleroot Geist - MTG Card versions
Butcher Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Safehold Elite - MTG Card versions
Strangleroot Geist - MTG Card versions
Butcher Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Safehold Elite - MTG Card versions

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

Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
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Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
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Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
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Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
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Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Taunting Elf - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elves - MTG Card versions
Nimble Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Safekeeper - MTG Card versions
Elvish Lyrist - 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
Village Elder - 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
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elves - MTG Card versions
Nimble Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Safekeeper - MTG Card versions
Elvish Lyrist - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
YawgmothYawgmoth ModernYawgmothModern Showcase Challenge 2024-05-11

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Young Wolf itself does not directly provide card advantage, it’s Undying ability means it comes back into play with a +1/+1 counter after dying. This resilient nature can equivalently lead to card advantage by pressurizing your opponent to use more resources to permanently remove it. It’s like having a card that refuses to stay in the graveyard, offering you repeated value.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct accelerator of resources in the traditional sense, Young Wolf’s low cost makes it an efficient use of mana. For a single green, you secure a presence on the board that can impact early game decisions and trade with creatures that are often worth more mana, effectively accelerating your board state relative to your opponent.

Instant Speed: Young Wolf’s Undying mechanic does not require the timing of an instant, but its threat of return could affect the pace of the game. The creature offers a persistent board presence that must be accounted for instant speed removals or combat tricks, forcing your opponent to plan their turns with the potential for Young Wolf’s return in mind.


Card Cons

The Young Wolf card, while it has its advantages, comes with certain trade-offs that players should be aware of before including it in their decks:

Discard Requirement: Although Young Wolf doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, its synergy with self-discard strategies can be double-edged. It relies on other cards that facilitate discarding as a way to maximize its undying mechanic, potentially straining your hand if not managed carefully.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost requires one green mana, limiting its immediate playability to decks that can produce green mana early on. This specific need can make Young Wolf a less versatile choice in decks that aren’t centered around green mana or where mana fixing is less consistent.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While one green mana may seem low, in a metagame where one-mana creatures often come with additional benefits or more power, Young Wolf can feel slightly less efficient. The card does grant a solid resurrection effect with undying, but it’s in competition with other one-drop creatures that might offer more immediate board presence or utility. Deck builders will need to weigh these factors when considering Young Wolf for their lineup.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Young Wolf offers a robust utility in multiple deck builds with its undying ability, ensuring a lasting board presence in aggressive green strategies or any deck focusing on creature resilience.

Combo Potential: Its undying trait also allows for synergies with +1/+1 counter mechanics and sacrificial combos, fueling engines for potent interactions in constructed formats.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, decks that capitalize on persistent creatures can maintain advantage. Young Wolf adapts well to metas filled with removal, making it a stalwart addition to collections.


How to beat

Young Wolf presents itself as a challenge on the battlefield with its undying ability ensuring its persistence even after meeting its demise once. In this card’s presence, short-term solutions like direct damage spells or trades in combat often seem futile. However, there are effective strategies to outmaneuver this stalwart creature.

One of the keys to beating Young Wolf lies in utilizing exile effects or spells that don’t actually “destroy” the creature. Cards like Path to Exile or Sentinel Totem strip away the Wolf’s ability to return by removing it from the game entirely, preventing it from triggering the undying mechanic. Cards that force a player to sacrifice creatures can also sidestep the undying ability, as the return to the battlefield is negated when the sacrifice is a cost and not an effect.

Moreover, employing creatures with the deathtouch ability can be an excellent counter. Since any amount of damage is lethal, creatures like Vampire Nighthawk can dispose of Young Wolf permanently in a single combat, disregarding the undying attribute. In conclusion, facing Young Wolf demands strategic play, leveraging the strengths of exile and sacrifice mechanics or deathtouch to maintain control of the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

The world of MTG is as dynamic as the creatures it harbors, and Young Wolf is a testament to the strategic depth available to players. Its Undying ability and potential for synergistic play make it a noteworthy contender for your arsenal. Whether you’re facing a barrage of removals or seeking resilient creatures for your combat strategy, understanding and utilizing cards like Young Wolf can be crucial. Embrace the journey of growth and adaptation on the battlefield by integrating such versatile cards into your deck. Discover how to harness the power of persistence’s by delving into more strategies with us, and refine your gameplay to thrive in the evolving MTG landscape.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Young Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Young Wolf and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Young Wolf Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-02-03Dark AscensionDKA 1342003NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 7462015NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
32023-03-21Shadows of the PastSIS 582015NormalBlackRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Young Wolf has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal