Carrion Howler MTG Card
2005-08-22 - Number F38
2005-10-07 - Number 79
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Wolf |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Pay 1 life: Carrion Howler gets +2/-1 until end of turn.
Cards like Carrion Howler
Carrion Howler makes for a peculiar and versatile creature card within Magic: The Gathering. It shares its shape-shifting nature with cards like Adaptive Automaton and Chameleon Colossus. Like the Howler, these cards offer the ability to adapt stats, making them potentially unpredictable during gameplay. In contrast to the Howler, Adaptive Automaton allows you to choose a creature type when it enters the battlefield, giving creatures of that type an extra boost, whereas Chameleon Colossus boasts a built-in protection from black and the power to double its size for the cost of mana.
Looking closer, we also find Metallic Mimic, which similarly to the Automaton buffs a chosen creature type. Though not as flexible stat-wise in-game as Carrion Howler, it offers a permanent boost to other creatures that enter the field. Insolent Neonate is another notable comparison, a low-cost creature with a discard ability, offering a different form of utility compared to our Howler’s adaptable power.
In the realm of multifaceted creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, while different in mechanics, Carrion Howler stands out due to its unique cost-effective flexibility in terms of power adjustment, making it valuable in strategically varied situations on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Carrion Howler by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The adaptability of Carrion Howler provides a tactical edge, offering a significant advantage in card utility. Its ability to adjust power and toughness gives savvy players multiple options to outmaneuver opponents, thereby bolstering hand efficiency and battlefield presence without expending extra cards.
Resource Acceleration: Carrion Howler works well with cards and strategies that benefit from creatures with a high power. It can rapidly scale its power, triggering effects or synergizing with cards that capitalize on high-powered creatures. This interaction can be a form of indirect resource acceleration, enabling more impactful plays earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: While Carrion Howler itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability can be activated at instant speed. This permits reactive play during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, giving the player using Carrion Howler the flexibility to adapt to a changing game state and surprise an unsuspecting opponent with a sudden power shift.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To activate Carrion Howler’s ability, players must pay with not just mana but also a card from their hand. This additional discard requirement can pose a setback when options are scarce, forcing players to let go of potentially pivotal pieces in their strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Carrion Howler’s casting cost is strictly aligned with the black and red mana, making it a less flexible option for multi-colored decks that may not consistently provide the necessary mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that leans towards the higher end, Carrion Howler demands a substantial investment for a creature whose abilities may not necessarily justify the cost, especially when cheaper creatures could fulfill similar roles in a deck with greater efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Carrion Howler offers a dynamic option for deckbuilders looking to manipulate creature power. Its ability to adjust power and toughness makes it a flexible choice for various strategies from aggressive beats to defensive stands.
Combo Potential: The real allure of Carrion Howler lies in its potential to form combos. By reducing its toughness for just one black mana, it can synergize with effects that trigger upon a creature dying or having a certain toughness—a tantalizing prospect for savvy players.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where life totals can be a battlefield resource, Carrion Howler shines. Its capacity to switch from offensive to defensive roles can support a player’s strategy while responding to the shifting sands of competitive play.
How to beat
Overcoming Carrion Howler in a game of Magic: The Gathering can be a nuanced task. This creature’s ability to modify its power and toughness presents a moving target for your removal spells. However, understanding the card’s limitations can provide a strategic advantage. For instance, since the Howler can adjust its stats as an ability, you need to time your removal when its toughness is reduced. This can be accomplished during upkeep or in response to the activation of its ability. Playing instant speed removal such as Path to Exile or Lightning Bolt can dispatch the Howler before its controller can use it effectively in combat.
Another strategy is to employ graveyard hate cards to diminish the impact of creatures that benefit from the Carrion Howler’s ability-enhancing power. Rest in Peace or Grafdigger’s Cage can stifle strategies relying heavily on graveyard interaction. If direct removal isn’t available, cards that cause players to sacrifice creatures, like Liliana of the Veil, can prove useful irrespective of the Howler’s power and toughness.
One should always consider the board state and predict the opponent’s moves. Observation helps pinpoint the ideal moment for action, ensuring Carrion Howler’s impact is minimal and retaining control over the game’s outcome.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Carrion Howler MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 and Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Carrion Howler 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 Carrion Howler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2005-10-07. Illustrated by John Zeleznik.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | F38 | 2003 | Normal | White | John Zeleznik | |
| 2 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 79 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Zeleznik |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Carrion Howler has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |