Lightning Wolf MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 168
2022-01-28 - Number 435
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wolf |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Lightning Wolf offers card advantage through multi-role play, subtly shifting game momentum.
- Instant speed interactions provide strategic depth and surprise elements in matchups.
- While powerful, Lightning Wolf requires a specific mana mix and card discarding that could constrain some strategies.
Text of card
: Lightning Wolf gains first strike until end of turn. Activate only as a sorcery.
These thick-furred wolves have adapted to Stensia's storms, channeling their energy into bursts of supernatural speed.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lightning Wolf offers a unique twist for players seeking to edge out their opponents through subtle but impactful card advantages. While not directly drawing cards, its ability to perform multiple roles with one card can offer an upper hand throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: Strategically, Lightning Wolf can contribute to resource acceleration not only by presenting a threat that must be dealt with, thereby potentially draining an opponent’s resources, but also by synergizing with cards that capitalize on its lightning-fast presence on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: A definitive pro of Lightning Wolf is its interaction with instant speed spells. Being able to flash in a creature at the end of an opponent’s turn offers the surprise factor and strategic depth, letting you keep mana open for responses and then deploy a threat if none are required.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Lightning Wolf card demands that you discard another card to activate certain abilities. This can deplete your hand quickly, especially if you’re already contending with a hand size pressured by your opponent’s strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Lightning Wolf’s casting cost necessitates a precise combination of mana, including at least one red. This can be restrictive and may not fit seamlessly into multi-colored decks that don’t prioritize red mana production.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Lightning Wolf requiring a significant amount of mana to cast, it can sometimes be a clunky draw in the early game. Other creatures or spells at a similar mana cost may provide immediate impact or have lower summoning requirements, making them potentially more appealing choices in a fast-paced game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Lightning Wolf is a resilient piece in decks looking for aggressive yet robust creatures. Its ability to fit into various red-based strategies enhances its usefulness, making it appealing to a range of deck builders.
Combo Potential: The card’s capability to potentially dish out electrically charged damage can synergize with other cards that feed off of noncombat damage triggers or spellcasting sequences, creating strong synergistic plays.
Meta-Relevance: With the current trend leaning towards dynamic gameplay, Lightning Wolf is a strong contender in the environment, able to compete against popular deck themes and provide strategic advantages with its quick attack opportunities and defensive potentials.
How to Beat Lightning Wolf
Lightning Wolf is a dynamic element in the world of creature cards. Its strength lies in its capacity to deliver a swift and impactful punch thanks to its natural haste, making it a formidable adversary early on in the game. To outwit an opponent’s Lightning Wolf, one successful strategy is employing removal spells that can immediately counteract its haste. Spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile prove useful as they can remove Lightning Wolf from the battlefield before it gets the opportunity to cause significant damage.
Another efficient method is to set up creatures with higher toughness that can withstand Lightning Wolf’s attack and eliminate it during combat without succumbing in the process. Consider creatures such as Baneslayer Angel or even Thragtusk that not only block but also offer additional benefits, be it life gain or leaving a token creature behind. Lastly, since Lightning Wolf thrives in games where it can attack without obstruction, consider utilizing cards that restrict it from attacking, like Pacifism or even enchantments that remove abilities, which render haste irrelevant.
Leveraging these tactics allows a player to neutralize Lightning Wolf’s advantages, thus flipping the match’s momentum in their favor and steadily working towards victory.
Cards like Lightning Wolf
The Lightning Wolf card shines within the realm of creature spells in MTG. It stands shoulder to shoulder with creatures like Storm Fleet Pyromancer, which shares the affinity for dealing damage upon entering the battlefield. Nonetheless, what differentiates Lightning Wolf is its more prominent focus on a swift, aggressive playstyle resonating well with Red Deck Wins strategies. In contrast, Storm Fleet Pyromancer, though also capable of interrupting your opponent’s plays with its damage output, requires a deeper set-up with its Raid ability.
Another card worth comparing is the Pyre Hound, whose abilities are also tuned for an aggressive Red deck. Like Lightning Wolf, Pyre Hound can quickly become a threatening presence, growing stronger with each instant and sorcery cast, potentially leading to an overwhelming advantage. However, the incremental power boost via Pyre Hound’s prowess requires a more spell-heavy strategy, whereas Lightning Wolf offers immediate board impact with possibly less setup.
To sum up, in the selection of Red creature spells designed for direct and fast play, Lightning Wolf holds its own with the potential to alter the course of the game on the turn it is played, a key component in the fast-paced MTG matches where every turn counts.
Cards similar to Lightning Wolf by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lightning Wolf 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 Lightning Wolf 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 Lightning Wolf Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Alessandra Pisano.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 168 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alessandra Pisano | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 435 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alessandra Pisano |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Wolf 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
