Wolf Strike MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 228
2022-01-28 - Number 495
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Wolf Strike provides key advantage by removing threats without sacrificing multiple cards.
- Instant speed allows surprise plays, disrupting opponent strategies effectively.
- Requires a creature on board, tailoring it best for decks with consistent creature presence.
Text of card
Target creature you control gets +2/+0 until end of turn if it's night. Then it deals damage equal to its power to target creature you don't control.
Tovolar's howlpack had scattered, but the Dire-Strain survivors were still on the hunt.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wolf Strike, being a single card that can potentially remove an opponent’s threat while keeping your creature alive, provides a subtle card advantage. The Nature’s Way effect embedded in Wolf Strike increases your board presence without sacrificing additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: While this card does not directly generate mana or tokens, it can accelerate your game plan by taking out a blocker, allowing your creatures to get in for more damage or clearing the way for further attacks, potentially translating to a quicker win.
Instant Speed: Wolf Strike shines with its instant speed, giving the flexibility to take out a potential threat during the combat phase or at the end of your opponent’s turn. This timing can disrupt your opponent’s strategy or remove a creature before they can capitalize on any buffs or effects in their true designated phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Wolf Strike calls for a specific board state to be most effective. Without a creature to target, its potential remains untapped, making it less versatile when you’re behind on the board.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both green mana and a critical mass of creatures, Wolf Strike necessitates a particular deck makeup, which may not align with diversified or color-splashed strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At its mana value, Wolf Strike can be less appealing compared to other instant-speed removal options that either have a lower cost or provide additional benefits beyond the creature fight mechanic.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Wolf Strike boasts the ability to be a game-changer in green decks that appreciate its instant-speed removal capabilities. Its nature allows it to slip into various strategies, from aggressive builds seeking to clear a path for creatures to more controlling decks looking to maintain board presence.
Combo Potential: This card can work wonders in decks utilizing creatures with high power. Its synergy with cards that benefit from creature power metrics or fighting mechanics makes it a savvy choice for enhancing your on-board tactics.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames evolve, the importance of timely removal persists. Wolf Strike finds its place in metas where creature-based strategies prevail, allowing players to address threats on the fly while potentially preserving their own board state.
How to beat
Wolf Strike is a card that can turn the tide of combat in a game of Magic: The Gathering. One might consider it akin to other combat tricks that provide a sudden boost in power to a creature. The unique twist with Wolf Strike is the nightbound ability, which gives it added punch during a player’s turn if it’s night. To counter this effectively, players may want to prevent the game from transitioning to night, thereby neutralizing the extra benefit Wolf Strike offers.
Similarly, keeping a robust set of removal spells handy can neutralize threats before they have the opportunity to capitalize on Wolf Strike’s power boost. Instant speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be particularly effective in dealing with creatures before an opponent has the chance to declare an attack and utilize combat tricks.
Taking into account the element of surprise and the conditional strength of Wolf Strike, players should aim to maintain control of the game’s pace and be prepared with immediate answers to keep opposing creatures in check. By doing so, one can mitigate the effects of Wolf Strike and maintain a strategic advantage on the battlefield.
Cards like Wolf Strike
Wolf Strike offers players a unique twist in the realm of creature removal options in Magic: The Gathering. It closely resembles the dynamics of cards like Prey Upon, which also enables a creature you control to fight another creature you don’t control. However, Wolf Strike brings an advantageous nuance to the table with its ability to grant a power bonus during your turn, bolstering your creature’s damage output.
Another similar combat trick is Pit Fight. This card presents an immediate confrontation between two creatures at instant speed, providing flexibility regardless of whose turn it is. Although Pit Fight lacks the power bonus that makes Wolf Strike a potent pick, the anytime-use feature can offer strategic advantages during crucial moments.
Comparing Wolf Strike to Snakeskin Veil reveals a difference in focus; Snakeskin Veil protects a creature from potential threats while also giving a slight power boost. In contrast, Wolf Strike proactively eliminates threats while empowering your creature, thus changing the state of the battlefield in your favor.
Overall, Wolf Strike stands out for its aggressive utility, proving to be an efficient tool for players looking to enhance their creature’s power while achieving targeted removal of opposing threats on their turn.
Cards similar to Wolf Strike by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wolf Strike MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Wolf Strike and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Wolf Strike Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Wisnu Tan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 228 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wisnu Tan | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 495 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wisnu Tan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wolf Strike has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Wolf Strike card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | The target creature you control deals damage equal to its power to the target creature you don't control even if it's day. |
