Howlgeist MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 182
2022-12-02 - Number 673
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit Wolf |
| Abilities | Undying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Creatures with power less than Howlgeist's power can't block it. Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Understanding Howlgeist
Howlgeist, part of the intriguing lineup of creatures from the Magic: The Gathering universe, embodies the fearsome spirit of the wild that thrives among the plane’s darker forests. A formidable beast in its own right, this card bears a unique set of abilities that contribute to both offensive and defensive strategies on the battlefield.
Cards like Howlgeist
Howlgeist shares its eerie traits with other formidable creatures of the night, such as Phantom Monster. Both of these cards possess the evasiveness granted by flying, making them difficult for opponents to block. Where Howlgeist stands out is through its “undying” ability, which ensures that even upon being destroyed, it returns to the fray just once, slightly stronger than before. Phantom Monster lacks this particular resilience, making Howlgeist a more menacing presence to deal with in repeated combat scenarios.
Howlgeist can also be compared to Ruinator Wurm with its significant power and toughness. Yet again, Howlgeist diverges due to its capacity to resurrect itself once with an additional +1/+1 counter, while Ruinator Wurm does not share this relentless survivability. However, Ruinator Wurm doesn’t have the condition of only being able to block creatures with power greater than its toughness, which offers some versatility when facing a wider range of adversaries.
Howlgeist not only aligns with other creatures in terms of power but also proffers an essence of endurance that can often tip the balance of a game. This gives Howlgeist a distinct place among MTG cards, blending aggression with the tenacity to lead a player to victory.
Cards similar to Howlgeist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Howlgeist ensures you keep your hand full by adding to your creature lineup without sacrificing cards from your hand. This effect can tip the scales in a game where maintaining a presence on the battlefield is key.
Resource Acceleration: The presence of Howlgeist in your deck isn’t directly related to resource acceleration, but its ability to apply pressure may force an opponent to trade or use resources less efficiently, indirectly favoring your resource management.
Instant Speed: While Howlgeist isn’t itself an instant, it benefits from the ability to interact with other instant-speed spells you may have. Its Undying ability makes it a resilient threat, potentially returning to the battlefield at crucial moments when your opponents least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Card effectiveness is tied to the Graveyard size, demanding strategic discards, which can be troublesome if you’re unable to populate your own graveyard.
Specific Mana Cost: Howlgeist requires a mix of generic and specific green mana, narrowing compatibility mostly to green-centric or green-inclusive decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a six mana value for a 4/2 creature body, Howlgeist comes in at a point where other creatures or spells could provide more immediate board impact or versatility.
Reasons to Include Howlgeist in Your Collection
Versatility: Howlgeist is a creature card that can slide into green-centric decks, particularly those that leverage the Undying mechanic or need a strong late-game presence. Its ability to become unblockable as your hand size increases adds strategic depth to gameplay.
Combo Potential: With its Undying trait, Howlgeist synergizes well in decks that manipulate +1/+1 counters or require creatures to re-enter the battlefield, fostering numerous combo opportunities.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where players tend to hold numerous cards in hand, Howlgeist gains an edge by becoming essentially unblockable, making it a smart inclusion to deal with decks focused on card advantage and hand size.
How to beat
Howlgeist, a unique card in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering, presents its own set of challenges. This creature embodies a blend of offense and built-in protection, making it a tough opponent on the battlefield. One key feature of Howlgeist is its intimidation factor stemming from the Undying ability. When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, it returns to the battlefield under its owner’s control with a +1/+1 counter.
To effectively counter the resilience of Howlgeist, you’ll need to circumvent its Undying ability. Utilizing exile effects or spells that place it back into the opponent’s hand can prove effective. Cards with the ability to apply -1/-1 counters also counteract the Undying mechanic, as it prevents Howlgeist from returning to the battlefield after destruction. Strategic planning and the right spells will enable you to handle this evasive creature with finesse, keeping it at bay or removing it from play efficiently.
Adjusting strategies to deal with Howlgeist’s unique abilities ensures a more controlled game and diminishes the advantage it can bring to the opposing side. With careful maneuvering, this challenging element of the game can be effectively managed, keeping you one step ahead of the competition.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Howlgeist MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored 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 Howlgeist 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
Printings
The Howlgeist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by David Rapoza.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 182 | 2003 | Normal | Black | David Rapoza | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 673 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Rapoza |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Howlgeist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Howlgeist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | The comparison of power is performed only when blockers are declared. Increasing the power of a blocking creature (or decreasing the power of Howlgeist) after this point won’t cause any creature to stop blocking or become unblocked. |