Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves MTG Card
2019-05-03 - Number 224
2019-05-04 - Number 224p
2019-05-04 - Number 224s
2020-09-26 - Number WAR-224
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Elf Scout |
| Abilities | Fight |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves enters the battlefield, create Voja, Friend to Elves, a legendary 3/3 green and white Wolf creature token. Whenever a Wolf enters the battlefield under your control, you gain 3 life and that creature fights up to one target creature you don't control.
Cards like Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves
Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves holds a special place within the creature cards of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives might include Sigarda, Host of Herons, which offers substantial protection for your other creatures by preventing them from being forced to be sacrificed. Tolsimir, however, brings a unique synergy by creating a Wolf token and directly impacting the board by fighting another target creature, thus potentially removing threats upon entry.
Much like Trostani Discordant, another comparable card, Tolsimir offers a life-bolstering effect plus creature presence. While Trostani brings along two tokens and a homogenizing end-of-turn effect to prevent theft of your creatures, Tolsimir’s life-gain is linked to a more interactive wolf-friend Voja, as they work in tandem to eliminate opponents’ creatures and strengthen your life total with each fight triggered.
While analyzing these cards, it’s evident that Tolsimir thrives in a creature-centric deck where its multiple abilities can be maximized. Comparatively, while other cards provide static buffs or singular effects, Tolsimir’s potential for immediate board impact through its token generation and fight mechanic adds a dynamic edge to gameplay.
Cards similar to Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Niv to Light | Pioneer | Niv to Light | Pioneer League 2024-05-10 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves offers substantial card advantage by creating a 3/3 green Wolf creature token upon entering the battlefield. This additional creature not only enhances your board presence but can also impact the game by interacting with Tolsimir’s ability to fight another target creature. This synergy effectively eliminates threats while bolstering your side.
Resource Acceleration: While Tolsimir himself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the creation of a Wolf token can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. The token can be used in conjunction with other cards in your deck that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or from having a wide array of creatures, setting the stage for a more powerful board state and facilitating bigger plays.
Instant Speed: Tolsimir’s abilities are not at instant speed; however, his ability to trigger a fight between his Wolf token and another target creature upon entering the battlefield or whenever another Wolf enters under your control can disrupt your opponent’s plans at crucial moments. This interaction can serve as a form of instant speed removal if set up appropriately with other instant speed creature spells.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves requires a specific combination of mana to play, necessitating both green and white mana. This can potentially restrict the card’s inclusion to only decks that can reliably generate both colors, thereby limiting its flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including three that are color-specific, Tolsimir can be somewhat costly on your mana resources. In fast-paced games, the cost may slow you down, especially when competing against decks that peak in performance earlier.
Discard Requirement: While Tolsimir itself does not have a discard requirement, it’s important to note that playing high-cost cards can put you at a disadvantage against hand disruption strategies. Saving up mana to cast Tolsimir might make you more vulnerable to effects that force you to discard, reducing your hand size before you can utilize your key card.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves offers a unique blend of creature control and life gain, making it a solid choice for Selesnya (green-white) decks. Its ability to bring Voja, a legendary Wolf creature token, onto the battlefield can quickly shift the board state in your favor.
Combo Potential: When paired with other Wolf-type creatures or cards that benefit from token generation, Tolsimir can become the cornerstone of a powerful synergy. Each time a Wolf enters the battlefield, it bolsters your life total while also providing a means to deal with opposing threats.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right deck and the current MTG meta that favors creature-based strategies, Tolsimir can serve as both a counter and a value engine. The card’s dual nature in providing board presence and creature removal with its enter-the-battlefield effect can be a game-changer against various popular decks in the format.
How to beat
Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves is a card that commands attention on the battlefield with its unique combination of abilities. It brings a creature token into play and provides a potential life gain and creature removal component. To navigate around Tolsimir’s advantages, it’s crucial to limit these capabilities. Removing Tolsimir with spot removal before the triggered ability resolves can prevent the life gain and the fight effect. Cards like Murderous Rider or Heartless Act are efficient ways to dispatch him without triggering his abilities.
Alternatively, countering Tolsimir upon cast is a sound strategy. Counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can deal with him cleanly. In the event he does enter the battlefield, consider utilizing board wipes to reset the playing field. Wrath of God or Damnation ensure that all creatures, including Tolsimir and his loyal Wolf, are removed from play.
Deck strategies focusing on graveyard recursion or resilience are also effective. As Tolsimir relies on the presence of Wolves and other creatures for optimal value, commanders that can operate resourcefully from the graveyard can outmaneuver this Selesnya ally. By focusing on points of interaction and preemptively handling Tolsimir, you can mitigate his influence and maintain control of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and War of the Spark Promos, 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 Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2019-05-04. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-05-03 | War of the Spark | WAR | 224 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 2 | 2019-05-04 | War of the Spark Promos | PWAR | 224p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 3 | 2019-05-04 | War of the Spark Promos | PWAR | 224s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | WAR-224 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-05-03 | If Tolsimir is still on the battlefield when its enters-the-battlefield trigger resolves, its last ability will trigger as Voja is created. |
| 2019-05-03 | If the Wolf that entered the battlefield is no longer on the battlefield as Tolsimir’s last ability resolves, no creature deals or is dealt damage, but you do gain 3 life. |
| 2019-05-03 | Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves has a different name than Tolsimir Wolfblood (from the Ravnica: City of Guilds™ set), and Voja, Friend to Elves has a different name than Voja, the token created by Tolsimir Wolfblood. Since the “legend rule” only cares about exact English names, this means you may control all four of these creatures at the same time. |
| 2019-05-03 | You may put Tolsimir’s last ability onto the stack without choosing any target. You’ll just gain 3 life. However, if you do choose a target and the target permanent is an illegal target by the time Tolsimir’s last ability tries to resolve, the ability doesn’t resolve. You don’t gain 3 life and no creature deals or is dealt damage. |