Karplusan Wolverine MTG Card

Karplusan Wolverine indirectly aids in achieving card advantage by remaining on the board longer. Instant speed spells enhance its combat utility, offering players surprise tactics. Its abilities demand careful mana and hand resource management for best results.

Karplusan Wolverine - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number K18

Coldsnap (CSP)
2006-07-21 - Number 87

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Snow Creature — Wolverine Beast
Power	1
Toughness	1

Text of card

Whenever Karplusan Wolverine becomes blocked, you may have it deal 1 damage to any target.

Cards like Karplusan Wolverine

The Karplusan Wolverine holds its ground within the realm of early game creatures in Magic: The Gathering. In the sphere of one-drop red creatures, it invites a comparison with cards like Raging Goblin. While Raging Goblin can attack immediately due to haste, the Wolverine’s ability to potentially deal damage upon being targeted is a different tack, offering a strategic nuance. The potential for Karplusan Wolverine to chip in damage makes it an interesting choice for bolstering red aggro strategies.

Moving forward, Monastery Swiftspear shares the stage with our focal card. The Swiftspear harnesses prowess, gaining strength with each non-creature spell cast, which in a spell-heavy deck can surpass what the Wolverine offers. On the other hand, the Wolverine’s static ability is independent of spell casting, presenting a more constant threat if targeted. Then there’s Goblin Guide, a powerhouse in red aggressive decks, offering superior speed and power but at the risk of giving opponents card advantage — a trade-off absent in our wolverine friend’s design.

When evaluating creature effectiveness and deck synergy, Karplusan Wolverine can indeed find its niche, providing a unique defensive layer to aggressive line-ups, thus carving out its space among early red creature options in Magic: The Gathering.

Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Karplusan Wolverine by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Karplusan Wolverine itself might not directly provide card draw, its ability to deal with creatures through its first strike when attacking ensures you often keep it on board longer. Over time, it reduces the number of cards your opponent has in play, indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Karplusan Wolverine doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, but by pressuring life totals or controlling the board, it can put you in a favorable position where fewer resources are needed to maintain control of the game, thus accelerating your winning condition.

Instant Speed: The beauty of the Karplusan Wolverine lies in its interaction with instant speed spells. Although the card itself is not an instant, it becomes much more threatening with the possibility of casting buffs or protection at instant speed, allowing for versatile combat tricks that can surprise an opponent during combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Karplusan Wolverine demands the sacrifice of a card from your hand to activate its ability. This can be detrimental during gameplay, especially when your available options are already scarce or if the cards in hand are more valuable than the potential benefit gained from disposing of them.

Specific Mana Cost: In order to cast this creature card, you need to have red mana in your pool. While this isn’t inherently a downside, it does mean that the card is best suited for mono-red or red-focused decks, potentially reducing its versatility and limiting its inclusion in multi-colored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the card’s overall efficacy, its casting cost and the cost to trigger its ability should be taken into consideration. Given that the effect hinges on a resource-intensive activation, players may find that the Karplusan Wolverine’s mana demand does not align with the tempo of their deck or that there are other cards available that accomplish similar goals more efficiently.

Reasons to Include Karplusan Wolverine in Your Collection

Versatility: While not the most well-known card, Karplusan Wolverine brings a certain flexibility to the table. Its ability to deal damage upon being blocked allows it to fit in red damage-centric decks or those looking to exploit creature targeting synergies.

Combo Potential: The Wolverine’s unique ability can be leveraged in combinations with cards that trigger upon dealing non-combat damage or when creatures become blocked, setting the stage for unexpected tactical advantages.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games are often decided by creature combat, Karplusan Wolverine can dissuade opponents from blocking or can be used tactically in decks designed to manipulate and capitalize on blocking patterns.

How to beat

Karplusan Wolverine is not just another creature in the Magic: The Gathering roster. This elusive critter comes with a unique ability that makes it a nuisance for those unprepared. With the capability to deal damage to a creature that blocks it, the Wolverine constitutes a threat on the battlefield even with its modest stats. But there’s no need to fret. There are foolproof tactics to keep this creature at bay.

First and foremost, spot removal spells work wonders against Karplusan Wolverine. A straightforward ‘Destroy target creature’ spell will do the trick, bypassing the need to block it altogether. One can also opt for damage-based sweepers, like Anger of the Gods, which can clear the Wolverine along with other smaller threats while sidestepping its triggered ability.

Avoiding combat is another way to bypass its triggered ability. Ensnaring effects or cards that can tap creatures and keep them locked down from attacking or blocking will nullify Karplusan Wolverine’s presense without activating its ability. Strategically, the key is to use direct or passive control methods, ensuring that you never have to engage it head on in combat, maintaining a clear path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Karplusan Wolverine MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 and Coldsnap, 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 Karplusan Wolverine and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Karplusan Wolverine Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2006-07-21. Illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL		K18	2003	Normal	White	Greg Hildebrandt
2	2006-07-21	Coldsnap	CSP		87	2003	Normal	Black	Greg Hildebrandt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Karplusan Wolverine has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal