Call of the Herd MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 231
2002-08-14 - Number bk231a
2006-10-06 - Number 74
2007-02-24 - Number 2008
2017-03-17 - Number 121
2017-03-31 - Number 44
2023-01-13 - Number 153
2002-06-24 - Number 36108
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Flashback |
Text of card
Put a 3/3 green Elephant creature token into play. Flashback o3o G (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
Cards like Call of the Herd
Call of the Herd stands as a unique spell in the MTG world, closely related to creature-generating sorceries. Its brilliance shines in the ability to create a 3/3 Elephant creature token not once, but twice, thanks to flashback. This mechanic finds kinship with a card like Deep Forest Hermit, which, while providing more creatures initially, lacks the recurrence offered by flashback.
Exploring similarities further, we spot cards like Advent of the Wurm. It brings a larger creature into play, a 5/5 Wurm with trample, yet it’s limited to a single-use. Another comparable creation is Flash Foliage, which also summons a creature token. However, unlike Call of the Herd, Flash Foliage’s token serves more defensive purposes and doesn’t persist on the playing field.
In essence, Call of the Herd excels in versatility and staying power, allowing players to apply pressure consistently across different turns. It’s a distinguished spell that fosters a resilient creature presence on the battlefield compared to its counterparts in the realm of MTG.
Cards similar to Call of the Herd by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Call of the Herd. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | The Rock | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent | |
 | Terrageddon | Premodern | $1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am | |
 | Decklist | Free form | 80#CS | |
 | Abzan Aggro | Premodern | Misty Premodern Winter Finals | |
 | Temur Control | Premodern | Misty Premodern Winter Finals | |
 | Burning Oath | Free form | Middle School World Championships | |
 | Gruul Aggro | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent | |
| Golgari Oath | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Call of the Herd stands out by creating not just one, but up to three creature tokens with a single card. Players who employ this strategy effectively can expect to populate the battlefield quickly, outpacing opponents by sheer numbers.
Resource Acceleration: This card offers an efficient cost-to-power ratio, particularly when factoring in its flashback ability. The initial cast provides a sizeable creature, and the flashback effectively doubles your resources, reinforcing your presence without additional card investment.
Instant Speed: While Call of the Herd itself isn’t cast at instant speed, its versatility allows for strategic planning. Players can cast it during their main phase to apply pressure or wait until just the right moment in their game plan to flashback, catching an adversary unprepared for the sudden appearance of another 3/3 beast.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While not applicable to Call of the Herd, cards with discard requirements compel you to forgo a piece of your hand, impacting your strategy, especially if your deck relies on synergy between cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Call of the Herd demands a specific mana arrangement, needing both green mana and generic mana. This cost structure can be restrictive, particularly in multicolor decks that may struggle with mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of four mana to play initially and another four mana to flash it back from the graveyard, this card can be seen as mana-intensive. This aspect makes it less efficient compared to other creatures or spells that offer more immediate board presence or added utility for the same or less investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Call of the Herd offers dynamic play options, being a valuable recurring threat that can fit into various green deck types, including midrange and token strategies.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with effects that capitalize on creating creature tokens, benefiting from additional copies to swarm the battlefield or power up with mass buffs.
Meta-Relevance: Given its resilience to removal and ability to create multiple pressures on the board, Call of the Herd can be a thorn in the side of control decks and aligns well with a creature-centric meta.
How to beat
Call of the Herd stands out as a resilient threat in Magic: The Gathering, capable of creating repeatable 3/3 Elephant tokens. Overcoming this card requires a strategic approach, especially considering its flashback ability that allows a second use from the graveyard. Efficient removal is key; spells like Path to Exile and Fatal Push can effectively deal with the Elephant tokens on a one-to-one basis while avoiding over-committing resources against a card that’s designed to be used twice.
Another tactic is to apply pressure with creatures that outclass the 3/3 Elephants in combat. By deploying creatures with higher toughness or power, you can diminish the impact of the token generation. Additionally, mass removal spells like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can sweep the board clean, taking care of all tokens no matter how many times they’ve been called upon. Lastly, graveyard interaction through cards such as Rest in Peace can prevent Call of the Herd from being used a second time, curtailing its potential to dominate the game.
Ideally, matching your answers to the dynamics of Call of the Herd is essential in maintaining control of the game. It’s about anticipating the Elephants’ arrival and ensuring your hand holds the appropriate counters to their persistent stomps.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Call of the Herd MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Magic Online Promos, 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 Call of the Herd and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Call of the Herd Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 231 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36108 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | ||
| 3 | 2002-08-14 | World Championship Decks 2002 | WC02 | bk231a | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Carl Critchlow | |
| 4 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 74 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 5 | 2007-02-24 | Grand Prix Promos | PGPX | 2008 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 6 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 7 | 2017-03-31 | Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might | DDS | 44 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 8 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 153 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Call of the Herd has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Call of the Herd card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack in some other way. |
| 2021-03-19 | If a card with flashback is put into your graveyard during your turn, you can cast it if it's legal to do so before any other player can take any actions. |
| 2021-03-19 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was. |
| 2021-03-19 | You can cast a spell using flashback even if it was somehow put into your graveyard without having been cast. |
| 2021-03-19 | You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card's type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using flashback only when you could normally cast a sorcery. |
| 2021-03-19 | “Flashback -ost]” means “You may cast this card from your graveyard by paying -ost] rather than paying its mana cost” and “If the flashback cost was paid, exile this card instead of putting it anywhere else any time it would leave the stack.” |