Dire Wolf Prowler MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Wolf
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Its activated ability adds a green mana, providing an essential mid-game resource boost.
  2. Instant speed ability use introduces dynamic and flexible combat strategies.
  3. The card’s versatility makes it a meta-relevant choice for diverse deck strategies.

Text of card

: Dire Wolf Prowler gets +2/+2 and gains haste until end of turn. Activate only once each turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dire Wolf Prowler provides a significant edge in the form of card utility. When it transforms into a creature with power and toughness of 3/3, it presents an opportunity for players to capitalize on both offensive and defensive strategies without committing additional cards from their hand.

Resource Acceleration: The beauty of Dire Wolf Prowler lies in its inherent versatility, acting as both a creature and a resource accelerator. Its activated ability allows you to untap it and add one Green mana to your pool, offering a subtle boost to your mana resources that can be pivotal during the mid to late game.

Instant Speed: While Dire Wolf Prowler itself isn’t an instant, its activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves. This opens up dynamic lines of play, where you can both declare it as an attacker and subsequently use its ability for mana or other instant-speed interactions during combat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Dire Wolf Prowler’s abilities may come at the cost of other resources. Managing your hand carefully becomes crucial as discarding imprudently can leave you at a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The Dire Wolf Prowler requires green mana in its casting cost, making it a niche choice for decks not heavily invested in green, potentially restricting its versatility in multi-color deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Taking into account its initial casting cost along with the activation cost for its ability, Dire Wolf Prowler may come across as a heftier investment when compared to other creatures in the same mana range that can offer similar or greater immediate impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include Dire Wolf Prowler in Your Collection

Versatility: Dire Wolf Prowler offers flexibility in deck construction due to its dual nature. During your turn, it’s a formidable attacker that can pressure opponents early in the game. On the flip side, it can ramp up mana by transforming into a mana source, which is invaluable in decks looking to deploy threats quickly or needing extra mana for pivotal spells.

Combo Potential: In decks that thrive on creature synergies or those that can capitalize on untapped creatures, Dire Wolf Prowler provides excellent support. Its ability to shift roles after attacking enables players to maximize the use of every creature, fitting seamlessly into strategies that require creatures to tap for various effects post-combat.

Meta-Relevance: As the competitive scene adapts, cards that can perform multiple roles gain importance. Dire Wolf Prowler is just such a card. Whether you’re facing down aggressive decks that require you to establish early board presence or slower, grindier matchups where mana acceleration is key, this card has the potential to adapt and perform according to the needs of the current meta-game.


How to Beat

Dire Wolf Prowler presents itself as a formidable creature in MTG, offering a combination of reasonable casting cost and the potential for a power boost during combat. To effectively neutralize the Dire Wolf Prowler, consider utilizing removal spells that can dispatch the creature before it becomes a larger threat on the battlefield. Options such as Murder, which can eliminate any creature for three mana regardless of its size, or Doom Blade, targeting specifically non-black creatures, would work perfectly here.

Another strategy is to control the board early on—this ensures the Prowler never has the opportunity to activate its formidable ability. Efficient early blockers or creatures that can outclass the Wolf in combat are excellent choices. Moreover, enchantments that prevent activating abilities, like Crippling Chill or Ice Over, are excellent choices for hindering the Prowler’s effectiveness throughout the game.

Lastly, one can never underestimate the effect of a well-timed counterspell. By stopping the Dire Wolf Prowler from ever entering the fray, you keep your opponent from leveraging its combat prowess. In conclusion, a blend of removal, control, and counters is a foolproof strategy to deal with the cunning and strength of this woodland predator.


Cards like Dire Wolf Prowler

Dire Wolf Prowler finds its place as an efficient creature in Magic: The Gathering. When weighing its traits against similar cards, Garruk’s Companion comes to mind, which, like Dire Wolf Prowler, is a budget-friendly creature with trample. Although both have the power to break through defensive lines, Dire Wolf Prowler gains an edge with its activated ability that grants it a power and toughness boost.

Another card worth mentioning is Pouncing Lynx, which shares the same mana value. However, Pouncing Lynx, while it can gain an attacking advantage on your turn, lacks the sustainable stat increase of Dire Wolf Prowler. Comparatively, Nessian Courser stands out as a reliable creature with a solid power and toughness but doesn’t offer any additional abilities, making Dire Wolf Prowler more versatile during gameplay.

Assessing these comparisons, Dire Wolf Prowler is a commendable option for players looking to add a flexible and potentially aggressive creature to their green decks. It is particularly effective in scenarios where leveraging its strength can turn the tides of the battlefield in a player’s favor.

Garruk's Companion - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Lynx - MTG Card versions
Nessian Courser - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Companion - Magic 2011 (M11)
Pouncing Lynx - War of the Spark (WAR)
Nessian Courser - Future Sight (FUT)

Cards similar to Dire Wolf Prowler by color, type and mana cost

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
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Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
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Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
Quirion Druid - Visions (VIS)
Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
Titania's Chosen - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)
Brindle Boar - Magic 2011 (M11)
Wood Elves - New Capenna Commander (NCC)
Rot Wolf - Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia (TD2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dire Wolf Prowler MTG card by a specific set like The List and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Dire Wolf Prowler and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dire Wolf Prowler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-09-26The ListPLST AFR-3252015normalblackDiesel
22021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3252015normalblackDiesel
32021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 1792015normalblackAlessandra Pisano

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dire Wolf Prowler has restrictions

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

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