Return from the Wilds MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Sorcery |
Abilities | Food |
Released | 2023-09-08 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Wilds of Eldraine |
Set code | WOE |
Number | 181 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Julia Metzger |
Text of card
Choose two — • Search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle. • Create a 1/1 white Human creature token. • Create a Food token. (It's an artifact with ", , Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.")
Cards like Return from the Wilds
Return from the Wilds is a unique spell in MTG’s expansive catalogue of card advantage options. A comparable card in function and form is Harmonize, where drawing three cards happens outright without conditions. Though both facilitate card draw, Return from the Wilds asks the player to have a creature with power 4 or greater to reap its benefits, adding a strategic layer that Harmonize circumvents with its straightforward effect.
Echoing the conditional card draw theme, we see Garruk’s Uprising. It grants continuous card draw as long as you control creatures with power 4 or more. While it demands an established board presence for card advantage, unlike the one-time use of Return from the Wilds, the long-term benefits of Garruk’s Uprising can outweigh the initial setup requirements in creature-heavy decks. Lastly, Rishkar’s Expertise offers a large-scale draw ability based on the highest power among creatures you control, and it allows casting a spell from your hand without paying its mana cost. Though it’s more mana-intensive than Return from the Wilds, the potential payoff is significantly higher.
Evaluating these cards alongside Return from the Wilds showcases the variety in MTG’s approach to card advantage. Return from the Wilds provides a balanced cost-to-reward ratio for decks that meet its power prerequisite, standing its ground as a worthwhile option for players.
Cards similar to Return from the Wilds by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Return from the Wilds. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Simic Ramp | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | ||
UG | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024 | ||
Five-color Ramp | Standard | Domain | Japan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor | |
Golgari Aggro | Standard | Golgari Artifact Aggro | Japan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Return from the Wilds, players have a potent way to reclaim valuable cards from their graveyard. This not only replenishes their hand but also increases the options available to them, which can be game-changing during critical moments.
Resource Acceleration: Resolving this card can result in a rapid boost in resources. By selecting land cards as part of its effect, it allows you to exceed normal land drops, accelerating your mana base and enabling you to cast more impactful spells sooner than expected.
Instant Speed: The flexibility that Instant Speed grants cannot be overstated. It allows savvy players to navigate through their opponents’ turns with open mana, deploying Return from the Wilds at the ideal moment without telegraphing their plans. This tactical advantage keeps opponents guessing and can result in them making suboptimal plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: With Return from the Wilds, one of the hurdles a player faces is the necessity to discard a card. This demand can be prohibitive, especially in game stages where maintaining a robust hand can spell the difference between victory and defeat.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana requirements are tailored towards a particular color combination, which means it may not easily find a home outside of decks specifically tailored to accommodate its green mana costs. This specificity could lead to it being a dead card in hand without the appropriate mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Return from the Wilds offers certain strategic advantages, its mana valuation can be a bit steep. Considering its casting cost in comparison to other cards with similar or more impactful effects, players may find it burdensome to justify a slot in their deck for a card that requires a substantial mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Return from the Wilds shines in its ability to retrieve key creatures from your graveyard, making it an excellent choice for decks that revolve around high-value creatures or those that strategically use the graveyard as a resource.
Combo Potential: This card effortlessly slots into engine-driven decks where reanimating combo pieces is crucial. Its mechanism to return creatures sets the stage for recurring synergies and game-winning interactions.
Meta-Relevance: With many competitive formats currently favoring the use of graveyards, Return from the Wilds holds its ground as a counteractive tool or as part of a strategy that capitalizes on this trend, making it a timely and tactical addition to your roster.
How to beat
Understanding your opponent’s strategies is key in Magic: The Gathering, and that’s no different when facing the powerful sorcery “Return from the Wilds.” This card can be a game-changer, giving your adversary the opportunity to seize control by playing key creatures and lands from their graveyard. However, there are strategies to mitigate its impact on the game.
To counter “Return from the Wilds,” one efficient method is to use graveyard hate cards that can exile cards from graveyards. This prevents the sorcery from having any meaningful targets. Additionally, cards that can counter sorceries or provide protection from green spells will thwart this card’s execution entirely. Keeping up mana for counter spells or keeping your opponent’s graveyard empty is crucial during the turns leading up to when “Return from the Wilds” could be cast. Furthermore, staying mindful of the state of each player’s graveyard throughout the game can provide opportunities to disrupt your opponent’s intentions before they can gain the upper hand. Mastering these tactics can prove to be your greatest defense against this potent sorcery’s potential.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the ebb and flow of MTG playstyle is a continuous pursuit, and with Return from the Wilds, you have a powerful asset to navigate the challenges that lay ahead. Your deck’s adaptability will surge as you learn to exploit its card-retrieval capabilities, ensuring that your graveyard is nothing short of a treasure trove. Consider the strategic depth it offers, from instant speed plays that catch opponents off guard to fueling land-based ramp strategies. While mindful of potential cons such as its specific mana cost and discard requirements, integrating it effectively could make all the difference. Elevate your gameplay and discover the ins and outs of leveraging Return from the Wilds by visiting us for more insights and strategies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Return from the Wilds MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Return from the Wilds 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Return from the Wilds has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Standard | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Alchemy | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Future | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Return from the Wilds card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2023-09-01 | Food is an artifact type. Even though it appears on some creatures, it’s never a creature type. |
2023-09-01 | If an effect refers to a Food, it means any Food artifact, not just a Food artifact token. For example, you can sacrifice Tough Cookie to activate the last ability of Sweettooth Witch. |
2023-09-01 | Some spells and abilities that create Food tokens may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won’t resolve. You won’t create any Food tokens. |
2023-09-01 | Whatever you do, don’t eat the delicious cards. |
2023-09-01 | You can’t sacrifice a Food to pay multiple costs. For example, you can’t sacrifice a Food token to activate its own ability and also to activate the last ability of Sweettooth Witch. |