Pestilent Wolf MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Wolf
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Pestilent Wolf pressures opponents and advances players’ board state for a tactical edge.
  2. Its low cost and creature type make it versatile, fitting into various MTG strategies.
  3. Adaptability and meta-relevant traits position Pestilent Wolf as a viable collection addition.

Text of card

: Pestilent Wolf gains deathtouch until end of turn.

Wolves that feast on zombie flesh and survive carry the foul diseases of the dead wherever they roam.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Pestilent Wolf, you get a creature that can exert direct pressure on your opponent’s life total. If unanswered, it can quickly help shift the board state in your favor, essentially pulling you ahead with the power it contributes to your play.

Resource Acceleration: Pestilent Wolf can be a critical piece in strategies looking to maximize their mana usage. Its low casting cost can fit into many curves, allowing you to develop your board while holding mana for other decisive plays.

Instant Speed: Its secondary abilities may not be at instant speed, but its potential to interact with instant-speed mechanics in MTG can make it a versatile threat. The adaptability to specific situations makes it a considerable asset in the heat of a game, where timing is as crucial as the plays themselves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Pestilent Wolf card comes with the disadvantage of potentially needing to discard another card from your hand to trigger some of its abilities. This can set you back if you’re already struggling with card availability.

Specific Mana Cost: Bringing Pestilent Wolf into play requires very specific mana colors. If your deck doesn’t consistently produce the required colors, you might find the card sitting useless in your hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Pestilent Wolf demands a not-insignificant amount of mana, you may find it taxing your resources more than other cards with equivalent abilities. This can affect your overall gameplay strategy, particularly in the early stages of the game where mana efficiency is crucial.


Reasons to Include Pestilent Wolf in Your Collection

Versatility: Pestilent Wolf adds value to various deck archetypes, particularly those that exploit death-trigger mechanics or benefit from efficient creature removal.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that capitalize on -1/-1 counters or benefit from creature deaths, Pestilent Wolf can be a key component in powerful synergistic plays.

Meta-Relevance: With an environment that rewards quick and impactful board presence, this card’s ability to deter attacks and impact the battlefield makes it a solid meta choice.


How to beat Pestilent Wolf

Pestilent Wolf emerges as an intriguing creature card in the expansive universe of Magic: The Gathering. Its poisonous touch poses a unique challenge to overcome. Yet, when it comes to finding a strategy to beat this particular card, there are effective tactics that players can employ. One approach is to leverage instant-speed removal spells before the wolf has the opportunity to deal damage and leverage its death-trigger effects. Another effective countermeasure is to utilize creature cards that have protection from green or deathtouch, which can easily eliminate Pestilent Wolf without suffering its venomous consequences.

Additionally, cards that alter combat rules, like those preventing creatures from attacking or blocking, can render the wolf virtually harmless on the battlefield. Board wipes also serve as a comprehensive solution, clearing not just Pestilent Wolf but any accompanying threats as well. It’s important for players to weigh their deck’s strengths and choose the right tactic to ensure victory. Remember, knowing your enemy’s weaknesses is as crucial as mastering your own deck’s capabilities.


Cards like Pestilent Wolf

Pestilent Wolf makes for an intriguing comparison within the creature cards realm of Magic: The Gathering, mirroring certain aspects with others yet holding its unique traits. It echoes cards like Quillwolf in terms of affordable costs and creature type, both being wolves with a hunger for combat. However, Pestilent Wolf comes with the added venomous ability of deathtouch, setting it a notch above in terms of board control.

Another creature worth mentioning in the same breath is Vampire Nighthawk. While Nighthawk stands out with flying and lifelink, the baseline mechanic of deathtouch finds them in unison. Pestilent Wolf might not fly, but it shares the kill potential that can deter opponents’ creatures from attacking or blocking. It’s about choosing between them based on what your deck strategy demands: aerial superiority or the cunning of a ground predator.

Ultimately, Pestilent Wolf holds its ground in MTG’s vast ecosystem. Its menacing presence can make it a valuable addition, particularly in decks that capitalize on board control through lethal creatures. The ability to strike fear with just a single mana is what differentiates it and makes it a considerable option for players looking to enhance their green deck’s early-game tactics.

Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - Wizards Play Network 2009 (PWP09)

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

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - 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
Wyluli Wolf - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Whirling Dervish - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Grizzly Bears - Seventh Edition (7ED)
River Boa - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - Tempest (TMP)
Albino Troll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Silverglade Pathfinder - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Priest of Titania - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
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)

Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Pestilent Wolf Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Oriana Menendez.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 1922015normalblackOriana Menendez
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 1922015normalblackOriana Menendez
32022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 7052015normalblackOriana Menendez

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pestilent Wolf has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

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