Canyon Wildcat MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 167
2003-07-28 - Number 181★
2003-07-28 - Number 181
2011-09-02 - Number 6
2015-05-06 - Number 127
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat |
| Abilities | Mountainwalk |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Mountainwalk (If defending player controls any mountains, this creature is unblockable.)
"Relative of yours?" Ertai teased. Mirri simply sneered.
Cards like Canyon Wildcat
Canyon Wildcat is a nimble creature from the sprawling universes of Magic: The Gathering. This card showcases the quintessence of a red deck’s speed and aggression, offering players a 2/1 cat with Mountainwalk. Just like its relative Prowling Caracal, Canyon Wildcat is simple yet effective, providing an advantage in a land-specific scenario. Where Prowling Caracal is a straightforward creature for two mana, Canyon Wildcat’s Mountainwalk ability can turn the tides by being unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Mountain.
Not far from its feline kin, Raging Cougar presents an analogous threat, with a twist of haste enabling immediate action upon entering the battlefield. Both creatures excel in mono-red decks, but Raging Cougar allows for a more aggressive and time-sensitive strategy. If one desires a more evasive creature, Alpine Watchdog stands as an alternative. Although it lacks the Mountainwalk, it compensates with vigilance, allowing it to attack without tapping and thus stay ready to defend.
Diving into the traits and tactics of comparable cards, Canyon Wildcat fits snugly amongst its peers, offering MTG enthusiasts a distinct option for introducing calculated swiftness and tactical evasion in their game play, enriching the intricacies of mountain-themed decks.
Cards similar to Canyon Wildcat by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Canyon Wildcat itself does not directly provide card advantage, its tribal synergies with other cat creatures can enhance card draw mechanics in a deck focused on that tribe.
Resource Acceleration: When paired with cards that benefit from attacking creatures, such as equipment that generates mana when a creature deals combat damage, Canyon Wildcat can contribute to resource acceleration in an aggro strategy.
Instant Speed: Canyon Wildcat may lack instant speed capabilities, but its feline agility allows for dynamic play when combined with spells that can flash out creatures, making it unpredictably fast on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Canyon Wildcat doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, but being a simple creature in a deck often means having to decide between playing it or discarding for other cards’ effects. This can lead to a disruptive choice, especially if you’re trying to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Canyon Wildcat’s cost includes a specific color requirement – red mana. This can restrict deck-building options as it necessitates a commitment to red mana sources, limiting its flexibility in multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its cost of two mana, a 2/1 creature with mountainwalk does provide a situationally advantageous ability, but there are numerous two-mana creatures with more impactful abilities or higher stats, which may offer more value and versatility in gameplay.
Reasons to Include Canyon Wildcat in Your Collection
Versatility: Canyon Wildcat is a reliable creature card that can easily be incorporated into a variety of decks, particularly those based on land synergies or cat tribal themes. Its straightforward mana cost and mountainwalk ability make it a solid choice for novice players or those looking to enhance their aggro strategies.
Combo Potential: In combinations with cards that enhance feline abilities or land-based tactics, Canyon Wildcat’s mountainwalk ability could be a game changer, allowing for consistent damage to be dealt when facing opponents with mountains on the field.
Meta-Relevance: While not a high-impact card in competitive formats, in casual play or specific metagames where land-types matter, Canyon Wildcat can be surprisingly effective. It’s particularly applicable in games that are heavy with mountain-using players, giving it a niche but noteworthy placement in such environments.
How to beat
Canyon Wildcat is a classic creature card that has been roaming the planes of Magic: The Gathering for some time. As a 2/1 creature with mountainwalk, it has the advantage of being unblockable as long as your opponent controls a Mountain. Despite its seemingly straightforward power, there are a few strategic plays that can neutralize this feline’s edge.
One effective tactic is to remove mountains from play. Land destruction spells or methods to change land types can strip the Wildcat of its mountainwalk ability. Alternatively, consider using instant-speed removal spells to take out the Wildcat before it can deal damage, since its toughness is just 1. Another strategy is to use creatures with reach or those that can block multiple creatures to ensure that even if the Wildcat is unblockable due to mountainwalk, it won’t be able to sneak in as much damage. In sideboard games, including cards that specifically deal with landwalk abilities can be a smart move, ensuring that Canyon Wildcat doesn’t catch you off guard. Overall, staying flexible and prepared for its mountainwalk trait is key to keeping this Wildcat in check.
When compared to other creatures in its mana range, Canyon Wildcat may seem limited, particularly considering its susceptibility to widespread removal methods and reliance on specific land types. While it can be a threat in the right deck, its weaknesses can be exploited, making it a manageable menace with the proper planning.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Canyon Wildcat MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Eighth 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 Canyon Wildcat and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Canyon Wildcat Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Gary Leach.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 167 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Gary Leach | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 181★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Gary Leach | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 181 | 2003 | Normal | White | Gary Leach | |
| 4 | 2011-09-02 | Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas | DDH | 6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Gary Leach | |
| 5 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 127 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gary Leach |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Canyon Wildcat has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |