Call of the Wild MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 122
1999-04-21 - Number 218
2003-07-28 - Number 235
2003-07-28 - Number 235★
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
o Goo G Reveal the top card of your library to all players. If that card is a creature card, put it into play. Otherwise, bury it.
Thinking of dinner made Squee realize that the forest was probably thinking the same thing.
Cards like Call of the Wild
Call of the Wild offers an intriguing dynamic to creature summoning strategies in MTG. It shares common ground with cards like Lurking Predators, both allowing players to put creatures onto the battlefield from the top of their libraries. However, Call of the Wild requires an activation fee and the creature goes directly into play, whereas Lurking Predators triggers during an opponent’s turn and puts the creature into play only if an opponent cast a spell.
We also see similarities with Zoologist, which too allows you to look at the top card of your library and potentially put a creature into play. Zoologist has the advantage of being a creature itself, but lacks the repeatability of Call of the Wild’s activated ability. Additionally, there is the card See the Unwritten, which can dig deeper into the library to potentially put a powerful creature into play. This card has a higher mana cost but the potential for a greater immediate impact.
Ultimately, while each card has its pros and cons, Call of the Wild stands out for its consistent and repeatable effect, granting players the power to summon creatures turn after turn, which can be a pivotal advantage in the right deck.
Cards similar to Call of the Wild by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Call of the Wild provides a consistent mechanism to put creatures onto the battlefield, effectively bypassing your hand and giving you direct access to your library’s arsenal. This enhances your card advantage as you can summon creatures without depleting the cards in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: This card works synergistically with decks that focus on top-deck manipulation, allowing you to quickly assemble your forces and maintain a steady flow of threats. The ability to play creatures directly from the top of your library can significantly accelerate your on-board presence.
Instant Speed: While Call of the Wild itself is not an instant, it allows you to put creatures into play as though they were instants. You can end your turn without playing a creature and wait to see what your opponent does, retaining the element of surprise and flexibility to react, thus utilizing your mana effectively during each turn cycle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When deploying Call of the Wild into your gameplay, a major setback presents itself in that it obliges you to forfeit another card from your hand. This demand can be particularly punitive when your arsenal of cards is already dwindling, placing you at a strategic disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s requirement for a precise combination of mana resources restricts its integration to certain archetypes. Without access to the necessary green mana, you might find yourself unable to summon the creatures you’ve been relying on to turn the tide of battle in your favor.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning the forces of the wild is no easy feat, especially when considering Call of the Wild’s notable investment of mana. There are alternative cards within the MTG realm that could beckon creatures to your side for a lower cost, possibly yielding a more favorable momentum in the early stages of the match.
Reasons to Include Call of the Wild in Your Collection
Versatility: Call of the Wild adds a dynamic edge to green decks, allowing players to place creatures directly into play from the top of their library. This card thrives in various playstyles, from casual kitchen table matches to more tuned green-based commander decks.
Combo Potential: With the ability to fetch creatures at the end of an opponent’s turn, Call of the Wild works seamlessly with library manipulation tools, setting up for potent combos with the likes of Creature-based top-deck strategies, ensuring a surprise element for your opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Call of the Wild maintains relevance. It aligns well with decks aiming to outpace control archetypes by constantly putting pressure with creature drops, making it a solid addition in specific meta scenarios.
How to beat Call of the Wild
Call of the Wild offers MTG players an intriguing mechanic to cheat creatures into play directly from their library. This ability to bypass mana costs and summon powerful beasts places it on the radar of many players seeking to dominate the battlefield quickly. However, this card can be countered effectively with strategic planning and timely removal.
To overcome the advantage Call of the Wild presents, players should consider investing in instant-speed removal spells such as Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy, which can disrupt the creature before it has a chance to make an impact. Additionally, employing counter-magic like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can prevent Call of the Wild from ever resolving, stalling your opponent’s game plan.
Graveyard hate cards are also a potent solution since Call of the Wild requires creatures to be in the library. By using tools like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, you ensure that any creature sent from the library to the graveyard won’t be a threat, thus neutralizing one of the paths Call of the Wild leverages for success. Decisive actions against this card can safeguard your lead and secure victory in your MTG duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Call of the Wild MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Wild 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Call of the Wild Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 122 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brom | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 218 | 1997 | Normal | White | Brom | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 235 | 2003 | Normal | White | Paolo Parente | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 235★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Call of the Wild has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |