Return of the Wildspeaker MTG Card
2019-10-04 - Number 172
2019-10-04 - Number 373
2020-09-25 - Number 79
2021-04-23 - Number 205
2021-07-23 - Number 168
2022-06-10 - Number 831
2023-11-17 - Number 252
2024-02-09 - Number 181
2020-09-26 - Number ELD-172
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Drawing cards based on creature power can lead to a significantly refilled hand, enhancing player advantage.
- Versatility in resource acceleration and instant speed plays allows for transformative boosts and tactical depth.
- The card requires careful mana management and can challenge deckbuilding with its specific cost and potential hand-size reduction.
Text of card
Choose one — • Draw cards equal to the greatest power among non-Human creatures you control. • Non-Human creatures you control get +3/+3 until end of turn.
"The curse is broken."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Return of the Wildspeaker emerges as a powerful asset when it comes to keeping your hand filled with options. With the card’s mode to draw cards equal to the greatest power among non-Human creatures you control, it ensures that players can replenish their resources efficiently, giving them a substantial leg up in the match. This draw ability becomes particularly beneficial in decks that revolve around large creatures, often refilling your hand substantially with just one activation.
Resource Acceleration: Another compelling facet of Return of the Wildspeaker is its versatility in resource acceleration. Beyond its card-drawing capabilities, it can also be used to give your creatures a significant boost in power. This instant increase can accelerate your board state to an overwhelming presence, often leading to a game-winning turn if your opponent can’t handle the surge in creature strength.
Instant Speed: The flexibility offered by instant speed cannot be overstated. Being able to cast Return of the Wildspeaker at the end of your opponent’s turn, or in response to an action that would otherwise threaten your position, affords a tactical depth to gameplay. It allows for smart, reactive plays that can either surprise an opponent or save your resources for when they are most needed, all the while keeping the pressure and momentum securely in your corner.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Return of the Wildspeaker doesn’t directly force you to discard cards, it may require a significant hand size reduction, given that it’s advantageous to play it after you’ve developed a board presence. Consequently, you might find your hand size depleted at a crucial point in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s specific mana cost includes both green and generic mana. Such a cost demands a sufficient number of green sources in your land base, which can be restrictive for multicolored or color-intensive decks that need to manage their resources carefully.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of five mana for this instant might be seen as on the higher side. Considering other options available in the card pool, this could potentially slow down your gameplay, especially if you’re looking to maintain tempo or if you’re facing a deck that’s heavily focused on efficiency and low-cost spells.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Return of the Wildspeaker is adaptable, serving dual purposes. It can act as a substantial instant card draw if you control a creature with power 4 or greater or it can boost your creatures’ power to clinch a game.
Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that capitalize on large creatures or creature-heavy strategies. It pairs well with commanders that have high power, enabling explosive turns or surprise finishes.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that often pivots around creature combat, Return of the Wildspeaker provides key advantages whether you’re facing down control decks or swarming token strategies. Its instant speed allows for flexibility in response to opponents’ moves.
How to Beat
Return of the Wildspeaker is an impactful card in MTG, known for its versatility as either a significant creature buff or a substantial card draw spell. This instant card can easily tip the scales in favor of the player utilizing it, especially in decks centered around non-human creatures.
To counteract this card’s potential game-changing effects, timing can be crucial. Utilizing counterspells such as Negate or Dovin’s Veto when it is cast can prevent the spell from resolving, effectively neutralizing the threat it poses. Control decks with access to instant-speed removal or bounce spells can also mitigate the damage by clearing the board before the buff can take effect or returning key creatures to the player’s hand, thereby wasting their mana investment.
Moreover, keeping track of the open mana and the number of cards in your opponent’s hand can be an excellent strategic play. By applying pressure and forcing them to utilize their mana during their own turn, you minimize the risk of Return of the Wildspeaker being used effectively during your turn. In conclusion, while Return of the Wildspeaker can be a powerful card, understanding the right time to disrupt it can maintain your control over the game.
Cards like Return of the Wildspeaker
Return of the Wildspeaker stands out within the MTG realm for its unparalleled versatility. This instant-speed spell can either boost your creatures or refill your hand. Comparable cards, like Overwhelming Stampede, also amplify your creatures’ power, but Return of the Wildspeaker does so without being bound to the number of creatures with the greatest power you control, giving it an edge in decks with diverse power stats.
Another analog is the Garruk, Primal Hunter planeswalker card, whose -3 ability mirrors Return of the Wildspeaker’s second option, drawing cards equal to the power of your strongest creature. However, Garruk’s loyalty ability is less flexible and requires a more substantial investment upfront. Then, there’s Rishkar’s Expertise, which allows both the drawing of cards and the free cast of a lower CMC spell. While offering a two-for-one advantage, its higher mana cost and sorcery speed place Return of the Wildspeaker as a superior choice for reactive and intricate gameplay strategies.
These comparisons underscore Return of the Wildspeaker’s strong positioning in the MTG card hierarchy, being a go-to choice for players who value flexibility and the element of surprise during the heat of battle.
Cards similar to Return of the Wildspeaker by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Return of the Wildspeaker MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Throne 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 of the Wildspeaker and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Return of the Wildspeaker Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 172 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 2 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 373 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 3 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Commander | ZNC | 79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | ELD-172 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | ||
| 5 | 2021-04-23 | Commander 2021 | C21 | 205 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 6 | 2021-07-23 | Forgotten Realms Commander | AFC | 168 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 7 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 831 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 8 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander | LCC | 252 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 9 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Return of the Wildspeaker 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 |
