Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 168
2023-03-21 - Number 214
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Werewolf Horror |
| Abilities | Transform |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Creatures with power less than Shrill Howler's power can't block it. : Transform Shrill Howler.
"A werewolf's howl is terrifying, to be sure. But this . . . this was a chilling sound I somehow felt. I fear what will reply to it." —Alena, trapper of Kessig
Cards like Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus
Exploring the eerie world of transformation in Magic: The Gathering, Shrill Howler makes a haunting impression. In a similar league as other transformable creatures, Shrill Howler can flip into its more formidable identity – Howling Chorus, under the right conditions. This mechanic is reminiscent of the Delver of Secrets, a card that also unfolds its potential by transforming, though it relies on the top card of your library being a spell.
Closely related in theme and functionality, we’ve got the Breakneck Rider, which also transforms but into the devastating Neck Breaker, provided you’ve cast no spells during your turn. Unlike Shrill Howler, which requires you to have sufficient power on the board to enable its transformation, Breakneck Rider thrusts you into tactical contemplation, balancing your spell casting carefully.
Within the transformative realm of MTG, the competitive edge comes down to timing and condition management. Shrill Howler encourages aggressive play urging you to hit hard and morph into the resourceful menace, Howling Chorus while Breakneck Rider tests your strategic resolve. Each offers a unique blend of raw power and game-altering dynamics, raising the stakes in their respective strategies.
Cards similar to Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus, players can unlock the potential for card advantage indirectly through its transformative ability. Once flip-transformed into Howling Chorus, each time it deals combat damage to a player, you may put the top card of their library into exile. Thus, it not only impedes your opponent’s draw but also provides you insights into their potential strategies.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the Howling Chorus can accelerate your board state by creating a 3/2 colorless Eldrazi Horror creature token for each card exiled by its combat damage, allowing you to widen your presence on the battlefield and overwhelm your opponent with new resources.
Instant Speed: Shrill Howler’s ability to transform at instant speed—provided you have the right conditions such as full moon or the required mana and no spells were cast that turn—gives you significant strategic flexibility. You can surprise your opponent by transforming post-combat or during their end step, making it a versatile card during different phases of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The transformation mechanic of Shrill Howler requires a specific trigger, not a discard, but still it can be challenging to meet the criteria of having no spells cast in a turn, especially in spell-heavy formats.
Specific Mana Cost: For Howling Chorus to be cast, you would need a preparation to transform Shrill Howler, necessitating both green mana and a condition to meet, which may not synergize with all deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing three mana for a 3/1 creature might not seem cost-efficient compared to other creatures at this cost. While Shrill Howler does have the ability to transform into the more powerful Howling Chorus, having to fulfill its transformation requirement can be seen as a significant investment for an uncertain return.
Reasons to Include Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus in Your Collection
Versatility: Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus is a dynamic card that transitions from a creature that can be hard for your opponent to block to a formidable werewolf horror upon transforming. This dual nature allows it to adapt to various board states and playstyles.
Combo Potential: As a werewolf, this card benefits from synergies within werewolf and wolf decks, triggering various effects when flipped. Also, its ability to create tokens when Howling Chorus deals combat damage can be exploited in numerous combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: As metas evolve, cards like Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus that can apply pressure in creature-centric decks while also possessing a transformative upside can surprise opponents and exploit less prepared strategies.
How to beat
Understanding the dual nature of Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus is key to outmaneuvering this werewolf card in your MTG matches. In its daybound form, Shrill Howler can be a challenge due to its ability to become unblockable by creatures with power less or equal to its own. In these scenarios, deck strategies that focus on creature removal or power altering effects are effective. Direct removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, can efficiently dispatch the Howler before it transforms into the formidable Howling Chorus.
Once transfigured into the nightbound Howling Chorus, the card can create a token copy of itself whenever it deals combat damage to a player, potentially overwhelming the board. Countering this nightbound menace often involves suppressing its ability to attack. Enchantments like Pacifism or tapping abilities via cards like Sleep can prevent the Chorus from inflicting damage and replicating. Lastly, utilizing board wipe effects after the transformation can effectively reset the playing field and deal with multiple token copies in one fell swoop, with Wrath of God and Damnation being notable inclusions.
Adapting your control strategies and maintaining a focus on preemptive and responsive measures will tilt the scales in your favor against the versatile and dynamic Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 168 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 214 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |
| 2016-07-13 | The power of the blocking creature and that of Howling Chorus are compared only at the moment that blockers are chosen. Changing either creature’s power later won’t cause Howling Chorus to become unblocked. |
| 2016-07-13 | The power of the blocking creature and that of Shrill Howler are compared only at the moment that blockers are chosen. Changing either creature’s power later won’t cause Shrill Howler to become unblocked. |