Mantle of the Wolf MTG Card
2020-01-24 - Number 178s
2020-01-24 - Number 178p
2020-01-24 - Number 327
2020-01-24 - Number 178
2002-06-24 - Number 79885
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +4/+4. When Mantle of the Wolf is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, create two 2/2 green Wolf creature tokens.
"Be fearless, for a furious rebirth awaits you." —Nylea, god of the hunt
Cards like Mantle of the Wolf
Mantle of the Wolf is an intriguing enchantment for creature enhancement in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relations include cards like Bear Umbra and Ancestral Mask, which both serve to boost a creature’s power and toughness. What sets Mantle of the Wolf apart is its ability to leave behind a legacy of 2/2 wolf creature tokens upon being detached from its host. Bear Umbra, offering Totem Armor and the untapping of lands, lacks this token generation characteristic, focusing on protection and mana acceleration instead.
Exploring further, we find Ancestral Mask, which increases a creature’s power and toughness for each enchantment on the battlefield. While this card can potentially offer a larger power boost than Mantle of the Wolf, it doesn’t promise any additional board presence past its initial effect. Rancor is another relevant card, granting trample and returning to the owner’s hand when it goes to the graveyard, ensuring recurring value, albeit without the additional creature tokens provided by Mantle of the Wolf.
These comparisons highlight that while many enchantments can augment creatures’ stats, Mantle of the Wolf’s distinctive exit ability to produce creature tokens positions it as a uniquely advantageous choice for players looking to maintain a board presence in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Mantle of the Wolf by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Mantle of the Wolf is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, it allows you to create two 2/2 green Wolf creature tokens, boosting your board presence and giving you an immediate advantage in creature numbers.
Resource Acceleration: By supplying additional creatures, Mantle of the Wolf could potentially ramp up your resources, especially in decks that benefit from the presence of multiple creatures to power various effects or abilities. These tokens can also be converted into mana through other card synergies and interactions.
Instant Speed: While the enchantment itself is not cast at instant speed, the effects of creating Wolf tokens happen instantly when the enchanted creature dies. This can unexpectedly bolster your defenses or attacking capability during your opponent’s turn or in response to removal, keeping your opponents on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While this enchantment offers an attractive effect by significantly boosting a creature’s power, it doesn’t come without risk. Once the Mantle of the Wolf is removed or the enchanted creature is destroyed, you risk a momentary setback waiting for your next turn to capitalize on the token wolves it provides.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting both green mana symbols in its casting cost, Mantle of the Wolf demands a certain level of commitment to green mana sources. This can heavily influence the design of your deck and may not fit seamlessly into multi-colored strategies that can’t reliably provide the necessary green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at a total of four mana, with two of those being green, Mantle of the Wolf may also compete with other impactful four-mana spells in your deck. In formats where efficiency is key, its cost might outweigh the potential benefits, especially if faster, more impactful plays are available at the same mana value.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mantle of the Wolf offers a flexible buff for your creatures that can be a game-changer in various deck builds. Whether it’s being equipped to a trampler exerting pressure or a defender for surviving the late game, its enhancing abilities fit many strategies.
Combo Potential: On being detached from a creature, Mantle of the Wolf provides two 2/2 green Wolf creature tokens, which can synergize well with strategies focused on token generation or those that benefit from creature count increments.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to turn single threats into multiple ones post-removal, Mantle of the Wolf keeps up with decks that rely on creature presence to maintain dominance, making it a substantial pick in creature-centric metas.
How to Beat Mantle of the Wolf
Mantle of the Wolf is an enchantment that emboldens your creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Apart from offering a significant power and toughness boost, this Aura comes with the added benefit of creature resurgence upon its departure from the battlefield. Its potency can be daunting, but with strategic planning, overcoming it is achievable.
Key tactics involve removal spells that bypass the enchantment’s aftereffect, like Exile-based removals such as Path to Exile or Oblivion Ring, which prevent the enchantment from triggering. Counterspells can also be highly effective, keeping the Aura from ever touching the board. Artifact-based removal such as Kasmina’s Transmutation can neutralize the enchanted creature’s threat level without triggering Mantle’s second ability.
Board wipes and mass removal spells, while risky, ensure that even if the Mantle of the Wolf were to create tokens, they would be swept away alongside the host creature. It’s essential to manage resources wisely and wait for the crucial moment to neutralize not just the Mantle but also the wolves it may unleash.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mantle of the Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros Beyond Death Promos, 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 Mantle of the Wolf and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Mantle of the Wolf Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2020-01-24. Illustrated by Simon Dominic.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 79885 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Simon Dominic | ||
| 2 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death Promos | PTHB | 178s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Simon Dominic | |
| 3 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death Promos | PTHB | 178p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Simon Dominic | |
| 4 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 327 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Simon Dominic | |
| 5 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 178 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Simon Dominic |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mantle of the Wolf has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mantle of the Wolf card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-01-24 | If the creature Mantle of the Wolf would enchant is an illegal target by the time the Aura spell resolves, the entire spell doesn’t resolve. It’s put into your graveyard from the stack, not the battlefield, so its ability won’t trigger. |