Darkthicket Wolf MTG Card


Darkthicket Wolf - Innistrad
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Wolf
Released2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set nameInnistrad
Set codeISD
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number175
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byWayne England

Key Takeaways

  1. Offering ongoing value, Darkthicket Wolf is a mobile threat that doesn’t need additional cards to grow stronger.
  2. With the ability to pump at instant speed, it poses a formidable tactical advantage during combat.
  3. Its requirement for green mana means deck flexibility is limited, affecting mana allocation strategies.

Text of card

: Darkthicket Wolf gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn.

Werewolf slayers don't know for certain how werewolves are created. So they kill all the wolves, just to be safe.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Darkthicket Wolf doesn’t offer direct card draw, its repeatable pump ability gives you ongoing value from the same creature, effectively making it a larger threat without the need for additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration. However, by offering a consistent board threat, it lets you manage your mana investment over multiple turns, which can indirectly influence your resource allocation efficiently.

Instant Speed: Darkthicket Wolf’s strength does not come from instant speed interaction. Its ability to grow at instant speed, however, gives it a significant in-game presence as it can become unexpectedly larger, which is a tactical asset during combat phases.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Darkthicket Wolf does not specifically require a card to be discarded, it’s important to note that any card that demands additional resources can strain your hand, especially in a tight match where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Darkthicket Wolf requires green mana to both cast and activate its abilities. This specificity can make it less flexible for multicolored decks that might need to reserve green mana for other plays or that struggle to generate the necessary mana in the early game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To fully utilize Darkthicket Wolf’s pump ability, a player must invest a substantial amount of mana which could potentially be utilized for deploying more creatures or casting impactful spells. Given that the mana invested might only result in a temporary power boost, some players might find the cost a bit too steep for the benefit, especially when facing decks that can easily remove or counter creatures.


Reasons to Include Darkthicket Wolf in Your Collection

Versatility: Darkthicket Wolf offers a reliable two-drop creature that can easily find a home in aggressive Green decks or any deck looking to maintain a curve with adaptable threats.

Combo Potential: With its built-in ability to pump its own power, Darkthicket Wolf synergizes well with mechanics that rely on creature strength, such as Ferocious or Evolve, adding a layer of strategic depth to your plays.

Meta-Relevance: As the game’s landscape often shifts, the Wolf remains a useful card against an array of control strategies, able to press advantage each turn with its potential for damage output. In a meta where lower-cost creatures can thrive, Darkthicket Wolf stands out as a resilient threat.


How to beat

Darkthicket Wolf stands out for its straightforward yet potentially impactful presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With an activation ability that allows it to become more substantial, a strategy to overpower this creature involves timing and resource management. Preventing your opponent from having the mana to activate Darkthicket Wolf’s ability could be key. Cards that lock down mana or keep lands tapped could be particularly effective in stifling the wolf before it becomes a threat.

Another tactic is employing creatures with greater toughness that can withstand or deter the wolf’s attack, even when it’s been pumped. Moreover, removal spells that bypass the creature’s power level, such as unconditional removals or exile-based answers, prove to be efficient ways to handle the Darkthicket Wolf before it becomes an imminent menace on your opponent’s turn. Consequently, keeping a diverse array of defensive and reactive options in your deck can help maintain control against creatures like Darkthicket Wolf.

In essence, understanding the wolf’s strengths and investing in versatile and timely responses will assure that this feisty creature doesn’t take a bite out of your game plan.


Cards like Darkthicket Wolf

Darkthicket Wolf is a noticeable player in the pool of green creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the stage with other impactful two-mana creatures like Garruk’s Companion, which boasts trample with a solid 3/2 body. However, Darkthicket Wolf has the potential to stand out with its ability to pump itself, thus becoming a bigger threat each turn if mana is available. This adaptability gives the Wolf an edge in combat situations.

Contrasting this with another comparable card, Silhana Ledgewalker, we see different strengths come to light. While Silhana Ledgewalker offers hexproof and can’t be blocked except by creatures with flying, it lacks the raw power increase that Darkthicket Wolf possesses. Its evasion is indeed valuable, but Darkthicket Wolf provides that aggressive mana sink capability when you’re flooded with resources. Then there’s Rancor, an Aura that has become a staple for green aggro decks, offering both trample and a power boost. It’s not a creature, but its synergy with creatures like Darkthicket Wolf merges brute force with relentless aggression.

Ultimately, among two-drop creatures and buffs in green decks, Darkthicket Wolf has its niche, commanding a presence with its scalable attack power, making it a versatile contender on the battlefield.

Garruk's Companion - MTG Card versions
Silhana Ledgewalker - MTG Card versions
Rancor - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Companion - Magic 2011 (M11)
Silhana Ledgewalker - Guildpact (GPT)
Rancor - Urza's Legacy (ULG)

Cards similar to Darkthicket Wolf by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Stonewood Invoker - MTG Card versions
Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Whirling Dervish - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
River Boa - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Albino Troll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Silverglade Pathfinder - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Quirion Elves - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
Blurred Mongoose - Invasion (INV)
Llanowar Loamspeaker - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Genesis Hydra - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Scavenging Ooze - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Heir of the Wilds - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wren's Run Vanquisher - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Muscle Sliver - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Utopia Tree - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bloodline Shaman - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sakura-Tribe Elder - Junior APAC Series (PJAS)
Stonewood Invoker - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Oran-Rief Survivalist - Zendikar (ZEN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Darkthicket Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Darkthicket Wolf and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Darkthicket Wolf has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks