Heart Wolf MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Wolf |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Released | 1995-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Homelands |
| Set code | HML |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 75 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Margaret Organ-Kean |
Text of card
First strike oc T: Target Dwarf gains first strike and gets +2/+0 until end of turn. If that Dwarf leaves play this turn, bury Heart Wolf. Use this ability only when attack or defense is announced.
Cards like Heart Wolf
Heart Wolf introduces a compelling dynamic among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It brings to mind other wolf-themed cards like Young Wolf, a beloved one-drop that also embodies the resilience of these creatures with its undying ability. However, Heart Wolf’s unique angle stems from its partnership with certain spells, harnessing extra abilities when paired with them. Unlike Young Wolf, Heart Wolf’s capabilities amplify with strategic deck building.
Exploring further, Tovolar’s Huntmaster is a larger kin that shares the wolf theme and packs a punch by creating wolf tokens, yet it demands a greater mana investment compared to Heart Wolf. Then there’s the Silverfur Partisan, which synergizes with spells targeting wolves, much like Heart Wolf encourages spell casting. However, Silverfur Partisan generates additional tokens rather than flourishing individually.
Scrutinizing the traits and play styles of these cards paints a full picture for players. Heart Wolf promises a more interactive gameplay, nudging a blend of smart spell casting and strategic creature support, situating itself as an intriguing option for fans of lupine-themed decks in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Heart Wolf by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Heart Wolf allows you to maintain momentum in the late game through its draw mechanic, adding valuable card advantage. This ensures you won’t run out of options even as the game progresses and the board gets more competitive.
Resource Acceleration: By offering a bonus effect when wolf creatures enter the battlefield under your control, it provides a form of resource acceleration that can be a game-changer, allowing you to deploy threats or answers more efficiently.
Instant Speed: One of Heart Wolf’s key strengths is its ability to be cast at instant speed, providing flexibility and the element of surprise. It enables you to react in real-time to your opponent’s moves, essentially allowing you to wait for the most opportune moment to make your play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Heart Wolf demands a card to be discarded to unleash its abilities, creating potential card disadvantage and challenging players to manage their hand wisely.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Heart Wolf is color intensive, requiring a commitment to red mana sources, which could complicate deck-building strategies and limit versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While boasting impactful abilities, Heart Wolf’s mana cost is on the high side, where other creatures may provide similar or greater board presence for less investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Heart Wolf offers adaptability across various deck builds, particularly those looking for aggressive creature options. Its ability to challenge both players and planeswalkers alike makes it a useful card in a wide array of strategies.
Combo Potential: This card syncs well with abilities that trigger upon dealing damage, offering interesting combinations with cards that capitalize on direct damage or werewolf synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given its dual functionality in both aggressive and midrange decks, Heart Wolf has a place in the current meta that rewards versatility and creature-based strategies. Its relevance can shift with the ebb and flow of the competitive scene, ensuring it’s a card worth holding onto for its potential uses.
How to beat
Heart Wolf presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield with its capacity to influence combat outcomes significantly. As a creature that can potentially grow over time, it is pivotal to neutralize this threat early on. A straightforward strategy is to remove it from play before it can accumulate too many +1/+1 counters and become an overwhelming force. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile offer cost-effective removal solutions that can deal with Heart Wolf before it spirals out of control.
Another angle is to circumvent direct combat by implementing control elements. Cards that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking, such as Pacifism or the more versatile Detention Sphere, can incapacitate Heart Wolf regardless of its size. Utilizing counter spells when Heart Wolf is cast is also a highly effective tactic, with Mana Leak and Counterspell being prime examples of spells that can pre-emptively handle such threats.
Tackling Heart Wolf hinges on disrupting its momentum. Whether that’s through early elimination, board control, or countering its summoning, each approach can prevent this card from becoming a major obstacle. Players who manage to keep Heart Wolf in check are likely to maintain the upper hand throughout their MTG duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heart Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Homelands, 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 Heart Wolf 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Heart Wolf has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |