Thornhide Wolves MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 232
2018-07-13 - Number 204
2019-11-07 - Number 1353
2023-03-21 - Number 218
2020-09-26 - Number M19-204
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wolf |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Cards like Thornhide Wolves
In Magic: The Gathering, Thornhide Wolves sits comfortably in the realm of green creature staples, much like the card Giant Spider. Both creatures serve as a solid presence on the battlefield with their 4-power, albeit at differing costs and with different abilities. Thornhide Wolves is a straightforward creature with no additional abilities, a 4/5 making it a decent blocker or aggressive option for your mid-game. Giant Spider, however, brings a 2/4 body with reach, making it an excellent defensive addition against fliers.
Comparably, Baloth Gorger is another creature with which Thornhide Wolves shares common ground. Baloth Gorger enters the fray as a 4/4 creature with the potential to become a 7/7 via its kicker cost. This feature provides flexibility depending on the game’s progress, adding a layer of strategy in contrast to Thornhide Wolves’ constant stats.
Assessing the utility and cost-efficiency of these creatures, Thornhide Wolves might not offer the bells and whistles of abilities, but its stable power and toughness make it an unassuming yet reliable creature for any MTG player looking to bolster their ranks with resilient green creatures.
Cards similar to Thornhide Wolves by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Thornhide Wolves may not directly draw you cards, its robust presence on the battlefield can pressure opponents into two-for-one deals, effectively giving you an upper hand in card economics.
Resource Acceleration: While Thornhide Wolves themselves don’t generate additional mana or resources, their inclusion in green decks often synergizes with ramp strategies, making their 4/5 stat line more achievable and impactful in the early to mid-game phases.
Instant Speed: Although Thornhide Wolves can’t be cast at instant speed, the creature’s solid stats can deter opponents from attacking, providing a defensive advantage similar to instant speed interactions that can swing the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Thornhide Wolves doesn’t directly necessitate discarding, depending on the specific game scenario, players may be forced to choose between playing this creature or discarding other valuable cards in order to fulfill its substantial mana demands.
Specific Mana Cost: Thornhide Wolves requires a particular arrangement of mana to summon, specifically four generic and one green mana. This can be somewhat restrictive as it necessitates a reliable source of green mana, potentially challenging in multicolored decks or those prone to mana variability.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of five mana, Thornhide Wolves can be considered steep for its fairly standard stats of 4/5 without additional abilities. In the same mana range, players might find other creatures or spells that provide greater versatility or battlefield impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Thornhide Wolves, a robust card in green’s arsenal, can seamlessly integrate into various decks that require a strong, steady presence on the battlefield. Its endurance makes it a reliable option for both offense and defense.
Combo Potential: This creature can be a key piece in synergies that revolve around creatures with power 4 or greater. Its 4/5 body is ideal for activating abilities or supporting mechanics that reward you for controlling larger creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where the board presence is critical, Thornhide Wolves stands out as a solid addition. Its ability to withstand common damage-based removals allows it to remain relevant, especially in a meta with fewer board wipes and an emphasis on combat.
How to Beat Thornhide Wolves
Thornhide Wolves is a straightforward green creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can pose a solid presence on the battlefield with its vanilla 4/5 stats. To handle this beast, using removal spells that can take it down regardless of its size is key. Look to black for efficient removal options like Murder or Fatal Push to dispatch the Wolves without much fuss. Red also offers direct damage spells such as Lightning Strike, capable of dealing with creatures of this size provided it’s already taken some damage earlier.
Another strategy is to outclass it on the battlefield. Larger creatures or those with deathtouch like Gifted Aetherborn can neutralize Thornhide Wolves effectively. Cards with exile effects, like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can also remove the creature outright, bypassing any potential side effects that might occur from a creature dying, such as triggering a Morbid ability.
Ultimately, Thornhide Wolves is a basic creature that gets outmatched fairly easily in today’s meta. While it’s solid, it lacks additional keywords or abilities that could make it more of an immediate threat. By planning ahead and maintaining board control with removal spells or stronger creatures, you can easily beat this card in a game of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thornhide Wolves MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Core Set 2019, 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 Thornhide Wolves 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 Thornhide Wolves Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Scott Murphy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 232 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
| 2 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 204 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1353 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | M19-204 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | ||
| 5 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 218 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thornhide Wolves has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |