Tundra Wolves MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 40
1995-04-01 - Number 53
1995-04-01 - Number 53
1995-08-01 - Number 21
1997-03-24 - Number 66
1999-04-21 - Number 48
2003-07-28 - Number 54
2003-07-28 - Number 54★
2007-07-13 - Number 54
2007-07-13 - Number 54★
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wolf |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
First strike
I heard their eerie howling, the wolves calling their kindred across the frozen plains.
Cards like Tundra Wolves
Tundra Wolves stand out in the realm of one-drops within Magic The Gathering. The card offers a key ability for early game creatures: first strike. Comparable to other one-mana creatures such as Savannah Lions, Tundra Wolves provide a strategic advantage by dealing combat damage before creatures without first strike. While Savannah Lions boast a stronger attack power, Tundra Wolves can often survive early combat encounters, making them a valuable addition to any white weenie strategy.
Another card worth mentioning is Elite Inquisitor. This one is a bit more costly in terms of mana but provides first strike alongside vigilance and protection from vampires, zombies, and werewolves, introducing a multi-faceted tactical asset to your board. Although not a one-drop like Tundra Wolves, the Inquisitor commands a presence that justifies its place in many decks, navigating various threats with its enhanced abilities.
In reviewing these comparisons, Tundra Wolves present themselves as an effective and affordable option for those seeking to establish board control from the onset. Their simple yet significant first strike ability can be a critical factor in the earlier phases of a game, affirming their position in decks focusing on early offensive pressure.
Cards similar to Tundra Wolves by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tundra Wolves isn’t directly about drawing cards or generating card advantage in the traditional sense. Instead, by being a reliable early creature, it provides players with a board presence that can apply pressure. This can lead to situations where opponents are forced to trade more valuable cards to deal with it or allow a player to maintain card parity while developing their board.
Resource Acceleration: While Tundra Wolves does not create additional resources, it’s low casting cost means that it can hit the battlefield quickly, allowing players to keep mana open for other strategic moves. It plays well in a deck focused on efficient resource use, where cheap spells can pave the way for more impactful plays in the later stages of the game.
Instant Speed: Although it’s not an instant, the first strike ability of Tundra Wolves allows it to be a formidable defender during combat. This feature can act similarly to instant-speed interaction, dissuading opponents from attacking and effectively keeping your life total safe from early creature threats. This utility makes the Wolves a valuable inclusion in decks seeking to establish early game presence and defense.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Tundra Wolves don’t directly require a discard to cast, they can be part of a strategy that includes discard effects. This can be a drawback if you’re already dealing with a depleted hand and need to conserve your resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Tundra Wolves demand a white mana to hit the battlefield. Decks not heavily invested in white mana sources might find it challenging to consistently play Tundra Wolves when needed, limiting their inclusion to mono-white or two-color combinations that can reliably provide white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a one mana 1/1 creature, the Tundra Wolves may seem cost-effective at first glance. However, the fact that they require white mana makes them less flexible compared to other one-drop creatures in MTG that could fill the same role without color restrictions. Moreover, the utility that Tundra Wolves offer – first strike – while valuable in the early game, might not be as impactful later on, especially when bigger creatures come into play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tundra Wolves are a staple for any White deck requiring early board presence. Their first strike ability makes them a reliable defensive option against other common one-toughness creatures.
Combo Potential: This card works well with buffs and equipment, turning it into a formidable attacker that can take down larger creatures without suffering damage in combat, thanks to its first strike.
Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, having efficient one-drops remains pivotal. Tundra Wolves hold their own in various metas, often giving White decks the early advantage they need to control the pace of the game.
How to beat
Tundra Wolves is a classic creature card known for its ‘First Strike’ ability, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without this ability. This characteristic makes it a potent choice in the early game, offering an edge during initial combat phases. Despite its advantages, Tundra Wolves is not invulnerable. To counter this card, one effective strategy is to employ creatures with higher toughness to absorb the first strike damage, thereby neutralizing its combat superiority.
Utilizing removal spells is another method to dispatch these lupine creatures. Spells that can target and destroy creatures or instant spells that can be played during the combat phase are particularly useful. It’s also worth considering cards that can bypass the combat phase altogether, such as those that can tap or incapacitate Tundra Wolves before it has a chance to attack or block.
Lastly, evasive tactics can outmaneuver Tundra Wolves, including the use of flying or unblockable creatures that can avoid its first strike capability. By combining these strategies, players can effectively mitigate the impact of Tundra Wolves and maintain the upper hand in the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tundra Wolves MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border, 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 Tundra 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 Tundra Wolves Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 40 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 53 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 53 | 1993 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 21 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 66 | 1997 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover | |
| 6 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 48 | 1997 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover | |
| 7 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 54 | 2003 | Normal | White | Richard Sardinha | |
| 8 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 54★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Richard Sardinha | |
| 9 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 54 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Richard Sardinha | |
| 10 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 54★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Richard Sardinha |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tundra Wolves has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |