Wanderlust MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 14 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Enchantment — Aura |
Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Wanderlust does 1 damage to target creature's controller during upkeep.
Cards like Wanderlust
Wanderlust is an intriguing enchantment card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of damage-over-time effects that steadily sap an opponent’s life. It can be likened to cards such as Poison the Well, which not only deals damage but also disrupts the mana base by destroying a land. Although Poison the Well is a one-time effect, Wanderlust provides continuous pressure every turn.
Analogous to Wanderlust’s persistent damage, cards like Curse of the Pierced Heart present a similar threat by inflicting recurring damage to a player. Yet, it stands out with its ability to be more versatile in red’s aggressive decks. On the other hand, the fabled card Rancor employs a different angle, equipping a creature with a potent attack bonus and trample, with the resilience of returning to the owner’s hand. Whilst it doesn’t deal direct damage as Wanderlust does, its recurring impact on board state and combat can be quite significant over time.
Ultimately, Wanderlust asserts its place in Magic: The Gathering as a unique enchantment that applies continuous damage, providing players with a strategy that can whittle down an opponent slowly but surely, which is distinctive from the directness of single-shot spells or the attack boost of auras like Rancor.
Cards similar to Wanderlust by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wanderlust ensures a steady stream of card advantage as it chips away at an opponent’s life total, effectively pressuring opponents while providing continuous value.
Resource Acceleration: By providing consistent damage to the opponent, this card indirectly contributes to resource acceleration by maintaining pressure and controlling the pace of the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to deploy Wanderlust at instant speed offers strategic flexibility, allowing you to optimize your mana usage and respond swiftly to the changing battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Being a card that necessitates discarding another card from your hand can be costly, especially when your hand is already dwindling in size. This requirement can force players into making tough decisions about which resources to sacrifice, potentially impacting their game strategy negatively.
Specific Mana Cost: Wanderlust features a mana cost that includes green mana, which can be a limitation for decks that either aren’t running green or have a mana base that isn’t optimized for timely access to green mana sources. This can hinder the card’s inclusion in various multi-colored deck builds where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment needed to cast Wanderlust may not align with the tempo of some decks, especially when there are alternatives available. For decks focused on efficiency and speed, the mana you spend on Wanderlust might be too steep for the stage of the game where its effect would be most beneficial.
Reasons to Include Wanderlust in Your Collection
Versatility: Wanderlust proves to be a multifaceted card that adapts seamlessly across various deck archetypes, particularly enchantment-centric builds that seek to leverage life-draining mechanics.
Combo Potential: As a continuous source of life loss for your opponents, it can act as a cog in a machine of enchantment synergies or as fuel for cards that thrive on regular life point changes.
Meta-Relevance: With decks often aiming for long-term value, this card fits well into the mix, chipping away at an opponent’s life total as part of a controlled long-game strategy.
How to beat
Wanderlust is a unique enchantment that drains the health of the creature it’s attached to and subsequently impacts the creature’s controller. It might seem tricky, but there are straightforward strategies to nullify its effect. Key to overcoming Wanderlust involves either countering it upon cast, using enchantment removal, or employing creatures with hexproof or shroud to avoid becoming its target in the first place.
Efficient removal spells like Naturalize or Disenchant can swiftly handle Wanderlust after it resolves. Shielding your creatures with cards like Swiftfoot Boots or Asceticism can also prevent or break the enchantment’s influence. Remember that, as with most card-based challenges in Magic: The Gathering, flexibility in response and preemptive deck building can turn the tide against persistent threats like Wanderlust.
At its core, the art of beating cards like Wanderlust lies in anticipating your opponent’s moves and having the right counters at your disposal. By being prepared with enchantment interaction and protection for your creatures, you can ensure that this card’s effect is minimal or nonexistent on your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wanderlust MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Wanderlust and other MTG cards:
BUY NOWBurnMana 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 Wanderlust Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 226 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi | |
2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 227 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi | |
3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 227 | 1993 | Normal | White | Cornelius Brudi | |
4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 227 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi | |
5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 227 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi | |
6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 227 | 1993 | Normal | White | Cornelius Brudi | |
7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 227 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi | |
8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 227 | 1993 | Normal | White | Cornelius Brudi | |
9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 285 | 1993 | Normal | White | Cornelius Brudi | |
10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 285 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi | |
11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 339 | 1997 | Normal | White | Rebecca Guay | |
12 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 137 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi | |
13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 519 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi | |
14 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 222 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cornelius Brudi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wanderlust has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |