Snarling Wolf MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 199
2021-11-19 - Number 219
2022-01-28 - Number 486
2022-01-28 - Number 199
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wolf |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
: Snarling Wolf gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Activate only once each turn.
"Oh, thank the angels. It's not a werewolf, just a regular wo—" —Bruno, Ulvenwald guide, last words
Cards like Snarling Wolf
Snarling Wolf finds its niche among other efficient one-drop creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It makes for an apt comparison with cards like Sparring Construct, which also presents a one mana creature, though with a different flavor—offering a +1/+1 counter to another creature upon death rather than a direct power boost.
Another similar contender is Gingerbrute, which brings more versatility to the table. Despite sharing the same low casting cost, Gingerbrute’s haste and evasion abilities potentially offer a faster and less obstructed impact on the game. In addition, Gingerbrute can also be sacrificed for life gain, a utility that Snarling Wolf lacks.
Drawing a parallel within the wolf theme, Wolfbitten Captive is worth mentioning. Although it requires an additional mana for its first boost, this card can transform into a more powerful creature, presenting a different type of scaling threat as the game progresses, juxtaposed against Snarling Wolf’s immediate but single-dimensional power enhancement.
While Snarling Wolf may not offer the multifaceted utility of some of its peers, its straightforward and accessible power boost can be a solid choice for players looking to press the advantage early in the game with a straightforward creature card.
Cards similar to Snarling Wolf by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Snarling Wolf provides a consistent threat on the board that can be difficult for your opponent to efficiently deal with. While it may not draw cards directly, having a creature you can pump repeatedly forces the opponent to answer it or face increasing damage.
Resource Acceleration: This agile creature comes down with a minimal mana investment, allowing you to keep your resources open for other actions. With its ability to get stronger, it ensures that any mana left unspent each turn can translate directly into a power boost.
Instant Speed: Although Snarling Wolf itself isn’t played at instant speed, its ability can be activated anytime you could play an instant. This flexibility lets you adapt to the evolving game, whether that’s growing the wolf during combat on your turn or beefing it up to deter attacks on your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Despite its potential for early aggression, Snarling Wolf requires the player to discard a card in order to activate certain abilities. This can be quite taxing, especially when the player’s hand size is dwindling, and crucial resources could be better preserved for pivotal moments in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Snarling Wolf’s dependence on green mana narrows its utility to decks that incorporate sufficient green sources. This specificity can restrict deck-building options and, potentially, the card’s performance in multicolored deck strategies where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Snarling Wolf occupies the one-green mana slot, it competes against other one-drop creatures and spells. The requirement to invest additional mana to utilize its full capabilities means it may not be the most mana-efficient choice in a situation where optimizing every mana point is critical.
Reasons to Include Snarling Wolf in Your Collection
Versatility: Snarling Wolf adds value as an adaptable early game piece, fitting comfortably into a range of aggressive and creature-based strategies, offering a reliable board presence in the initial turns of play.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with decks that capitalize on creature count or those looking to unlock bonuses from having a Wolf or Werewolf, amplifying existing deck themes or strategic payoffs.
Meta-Relevance: As game formats continuously evolve, maintaining a low-cost creature with the capability to become a threat can keep opponents on their toes, especially in environments where quick starts are crucial to securing victory.
How to beat
Snarling Wolf might seem like a humble start for many MTG green deck strategies, but even small obstacles require a game plan. This one-drop creature card has the potential to grow stronger during your turn, a factor not to be underestimated. Players facing it can utilize early removal spells, such as Shock or Fatal Push, to take it down before it becomes a significant threat. Keeping removal cards in hand during the first few turns is always a strategic move against such creatures.
Alternatively, blocking the Snarling Wolf with creatures that have higher toughness can effectively neutralize its impact without losing card advantage. Since it can’t buff itself during your opponent’s turn, it becomes a clear target for a favorable block. An efficient defensive line-up featuring durable low-cost creatures not only handles the Wolf well but also sets a strong defensive foundation for the rest of the game.
Ultimately, preventing the Snarling Wolf from snowballing into a more considerable threat proves most effective when tackled early. By prioritizing its removal or using savvy block strategies, you ensure that this early-game creature doesn’t pave the way for a tougher fight as the game progresses.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Snarling Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Snarling 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Snarling Wolf Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Ilse Gort.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 199 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ilse Gort | |
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 219 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ilse Gort | |
| 3 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 486 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ilse Gort | |
| 4 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 199 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ilse Gort |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Snarling Wolf has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |