Ferocious Pup MTG Card

Generates a 2/2 Wolf upon entry, offering substantial board presence and versatility in play. Can act as an immediate blocker, adding strategic depth during an opponent’s attack phase. A specific mana cost and initial low impact may limit its inclusion in diverse decks.

Core Set 2020 (M20)
2019-07-12 - Number 171

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 659

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wolf
Power	0
Toughness	1

Text of card

When Ferocious Pup enters the battlefield, create a 2/2 green Wolf creature token.

The strongest pack has the fiercest pups.

Cards like Ferocious Pup

Ferocious Pup is an endearing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that brings extra value to the battlefield. Comparable to cards like Wolfkin Bond, which also emphasizes wolf creature tokens, Ferocious Pup offers a distinct advantage by automatically creating a 2/2 wolf token upon entering the battlefield. In contrast to Wolfkin Bond, Ferocious Pup doesn’t require an additional creature on the field to attach to, making it a more self-sufficient option.

Looking at another peer in the token-generating category, we encounter Garrison Cat. Similarly, it transforms into a creature token upon death, but it limits itself to just a single 1/1 token. Ferocious Pup leaps ahead by creating a token that’s already on par with many standalone creatures. On the other hand, Tuktuk the Explorer is a card with a delayed bonus, requiring to be sent to the graveyard to reap a larger token benefit, whereas Ferocious Pup provides immediate board presence. This can make quite the difference in games where early momentum is crucial.

When evaluating their place in MTG decks that capitalize on creature tokens, Ferocious Pup proves to be a humble yet potent card, offering instant token creation alongside a creature that can act as a blocker or sacrificial asset.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ferocious Pup affords players incremental card advantage by generating an additional creature token upon entering the battlefield. This two-for-one creature deal ensures a bolstered board presence, providing more options for trades or pressure against an opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Courting multiple creatures with a single card can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. The pup and its generated token can diversify your threats in play without committing additional cards from your hand, thereby conserving your resources for critical plays later.

Instant Speed: While Ferocious Pup itself is not an instant, the token it creates can immediately serve as a blocker if played during your main phase prior to an opponent’s attack. This nuance allows for strategic flexibility, akin to reactivity provided at instant speed, giving you defensive options when necessary.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Ferocious Pup card does not require a discard when played, which is an advantage over other cards that may negatively impact your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Ferocious Pup requires a specific mana alignment to cast, needing both green mana and generic mana, which can sometimes restrict flexibility in a multi-colored deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that equals to three mana for a 0/1 creature, the initial board impact of Ferocious Pup may appear low when compared to other creatures at similar cost levels, even considering the additional 2/2 Wolf token it creates.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ferocious Pup is a card that can seamlessly integrate into various green-based decks. As a creature card that produces additional body when it enters the battlefield, it offers immediate value for token strategies and can bolster your defenses or contribute to a wider strategy for overwhelming opponents.

Combo Potential: With the ability to generate a 2/2 Wolf token, Ferocious Pup pairs well with cards that benefit from creature tokens being summoned. Synergies with cards like “Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves” or “Wrenn and Seven” can create powerful interactions on the battlefield, making it a potential cornerstone in token-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a gaming environment where board presence is key, Ferocious Pup shines by putting more creatures on the field without the need for additional mana investment. It also plays well into the ‘go wide’ strategies prevalent in certain metas, adding value to your play by diversifying your creature base with minimal effort.

How to Beat Ferocious Pup

Ferocious Pup is an endearing creature card that ventures onto the battlefield along with a 3/3 green Wolf creature token. Its appearance in MTG gameplay can build a player’s creature base at an economical cost. However, despite its ability to bolster the ranks, it falls short in terms of power and defense when pitted against removal spells or larger creatures.

When facing off against Ferocious Pup, one strategy is to utilize direct removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade can swiftly deal with both the Pup and its accompanying Wolf token. Another approach is to take advantage of board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which clear out multiple creatures at once, including smaller creatures like Ferocious Pup or its tokens.

Countering this card effectively involves pre-emptive measures, like hindering token strategies altogether with cards like Tocatli Honor Guard or Hushbringer, which stifle the pup’s ability to bring its friend to play. In essence, overcoming Ferocious Pup hinges on controlling the board, staying one step ahead of creature tokens, and being ready with removal to maintain dominance over the game state.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ferocious Pup MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020 and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Ferocious Pup and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ferocious Pup Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-07-12 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Rudy Siswanto.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2019-07-12	Core Set 2020	M20		171	2015	Normal	Black	Rudy Siswanto
2	2022-12-02	Jumpstart 2022	J22		659	2015	Normal	Black	Rudy Siswanto

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ferocious Pup has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal