Howling Banshee MTG Card

Magic 2010 (M10)
2009-07-17 - Number 99

Magic 2011 (M11)
2010-07-16 - Number 100

Howling Banshee - Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. Liliana (GVL)

Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. Liliana (GVL)
2014-12-05 - Number 43

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Spirit
Abilities	Flying
Power	3
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Howling Banshee offers card advantage by affecting all players’ life totals equally upon entering the battlefield.
Demands thoughtful deck construction due to specific mana needs and potential for self-inflicted harm.
A strategic addition for black-themed decks, enhancing life manipulation strategies and enabling combos.

Text of card

Flying When Howling Banshee enters the battlefield, each player loses 3 life.

Villagers cloaked the town in magical silence, but their ears still bled.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Howling Banshee enters the battlefield, each player loses 3 life. This ability can diminish opponent’s resources while keeping the battlefield state in equilibrium.

Resource Acceleration: Not typically known for accelerating resources, the Howling Banshee still offers a 3/3 flying body which is a respectable presence that may speed up your victory.

Instant Speed: Although Howling Banshee is a creature and doesn’t have instant speed, its impact on the game when cast can disrupt your opponent’s strategy similar to instant-speed surprise effects.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Howling Banshee often requires a solid strategic plan due to its effect that forces each player to discard cards. This discard effect can sometimes backfire if you’re in a position where your hand is already depleted, potentially leaving you at a greater disadvantage than your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Howling Banshee demands a very specific mana arrangement to cast, which includes black mana. This can be restrictive, as it requires a significant commitment to black mana sources within your deck and can be difficult to play in a multicolored deck that isn’t heavily black.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that may be considered steep for its effects, some players find that Howling Banshee’s mana investment doesn’t always equate to a significant enough impact on the game. In the current meta, there are alternatives that may offer a better cost-to-effect ratio, which can lead players to opt for other cards over the Banshee in their deck construction.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Howling Banshee is a flexible addition to any deck centered around black’s strengths, such as life point manipulation or sacrifice mechanics. Its ability to impact the board immediately makes it a solid choice in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card opens up combo possibilities in decks that capitalize on each player losing life. It can synergize with effects that trigger upon life loss or gain, amplifying the overall impact you have on the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a game dominated by creature-heavy decks, Howling Banshee can be a game-changer. Its ability to deal damage to each player and creature removal quality gives it significance in shaping the battlefield to your advantage.

How to Beat

The Howling Banshee card stands out in the world of MTG due to its immediate impact, resonating with players who favor a dynamic strategy to disrupt their opponent’s health totals upon entry. This flying specter presents an undeniable force, inflicting a loss of three life points to both you and your opponents as it enters the battlefield, leaving a potent impression much like the banshees of lore. Thriving in decks that leverage life as a resource, it can be a double-edged sword due to the life loss affecting all players, including oneself.

Overcoming the sonic assault of Howling Banshee involves a few tactical maneuvers. The key is to mitigate the life loss or turn it to your advantage. Utilizing cards that gain you life can cushion the impact, rendering its entrance less devastating. Additionally, cards with the ability to exile creatures can completely neutralize the Howling Banshee before its effect takes hold, stripping away its potential damage. Always be ready with creature removal or life-gain strategies in place to ensure that this ghostly apparition doesn’t haunt your path to victory.

In essence, recognizing and preparing for the Howling Banshee’s arrival can transform a frightening setback into a mere whisper in the wind. Crafting a deck with the right answers ensures that you remain steadfast, turning the tide of battle in your favor amidst the echoes of its howl.

Cards like Howling Banshee

Howling Banshee holds its ground in the realm of creatures that deal damage to each opponent upon entering the battlefield in MTG. This spectral entity shares its damage-dealing effect with cards like Falkenrath Noble, which not only inflicts damage but also bestows a lifegain advantage — albeit targeting a single player versus Howling Banshee’s wider reach. Another comparison can be made with the Vengeful Reaper, offering flying and haste but forgoing the immediate impact damage of Howling Banshee.

Gray Merchant of Asphodel, affectionately known as Gary to the MTG community, also hits all opponents but does so based on your devotion to black, a factor Howling Banshee does not consider. Gary’s potential for higher life swings in mono-black decks makes him a formidable contender. Similarly, Siege Rhino might come to mind, presenting a life-draining feature while also packing a larger body to the table compared to Howling Banshee’s ethereal form.

Considering its unique blend of impact damage and ghostly presence, Howling Banshee maintains a niche spot among similar MTG cards, providing an aggressive edge to black-centric decks focused on whittling down multiple opponents simultaneously.

Gray Merchant of Asphodel - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Howling Banshee by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Howling Banshee MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Magic 2011, 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 Howling Banshee and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Howling Banshee Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Andrew Robinson.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2009-07-17	Magic 2010	M10	99	2003	Normal	Black	Andrew Robinson
2	2010-07-16	Magic 2011	M11	100	2003	Normal	Black	Andrew Robinson
3	2014-12-05	Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. Liliana	GVL	43	2015	Normal	Black	Andrew Robinson