Tel-Jilad Wolf MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wolf
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	88
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Paolo Parente

Key Takeaways

Tel-Jilad Wolf ensures card advantage by matching opponents’ plays, aiding steadfast board control.
Enhances creature-based strategies with its cost-effective role, accelerating resource development.
Despite it not having instant speed, its presence affects opponents’ play strategies.

Text of card

Whenever Tel-Jilad Wolf becomes blocked by an artifact creature, Tel-Jilad Wolf gets +3/+3 until end of turn.

Thanks to the wolves, Tel-Jilad is the one area of Mirrodin the myr don't see often.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the Tel-Jilad Wolf MTG card, players can maintain momentum by effectively matching opponents’ card plays. This green creature can become a key piece in strategies focused on board presence, helping players to use their cards efficiently while keeping up with their opponents’ threats.

Resource Acceleration: As a part of a creature-based strategy, Tel-Jilad Wolf can contribute to the overall acceleration of resources by presenting a cost-effective creature that adapts well to various situations on the battlefield. It supports the development of a formidable creature-based board state more swiftly.

Instant Speed: Although the Tel-Jilad Wolf itself does not operate at instant speed, it can be a valuable component in a deck with instant speed interactions. Its presence forces opponents to play differently, considering that you may have instant speed responses in your deck that can protect or benefit from the wolf’s participation during the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect of Tel-Jilad Wolf that might deter players is its reliance on other card mechanics to truly shine. Without the necessary synergies in your deck, it may not perform as well as you need, given that it doesn’t offer a discard opportunity itself to leverage graveyard strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands green mana, which is not a setback in itself, but it does mean the card is fundamentally restricted to green-centered or multicolored decks. Those running a different color scheme won’t find this card fitting into their deck’s mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its cost and stats, Tel-Jilad Wolf presents a mana efficiency issue when compared with other creatures at similar mana points. There are alternative creatures that could contribute more significantly to your board presence or have additional abilities for the same or lesser mana investment, making this wolf a less attractive option in some scenarios.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tel-Jilad Wolf is a card that can seamlessly integrate into various green-based decks. Its ability to provide a reliable power to mana cost ratio makes it an excellent choice for players looking to bolster their creature lineup without breaking the bank.

Combo Potential: The Tel-Jilad Wolf shines in synergy with equipment and aura spells that boost its capabilities, allowing for flexible combinations that can surprise opponents. Its canine trait also makes it a suitable addition to tribal decks that capitalize on creature types.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where artifact and enchantment-based strategies are common, this wolf’s inherent protection makes it a resilient threat that can hold its own against a myriad of potential removals, ensuring its place on the battlefield and in your collection.

How to beat

Tel-Jilad Wolf is a card that presents a moderate challenge on the battlefield. With its resilience against artifacts due to protection from artifacts, it can often become an obstacle for players relying heavily on this type of permanents. The key to dealing with the Tel-Jilad Wolf is to utilize non-artifact sources of removal or blocking. Cards with high toughness can easily outlast it, as the wolf’s power is relatively low.

Additionally, spells bypass the protection from artifacts can prove to be efficient in removing the creature from play. In this vein, one could consider options such as direct damage spells or enchantments that can slip past the wolf’s defenses. When facing a Tel-Jilad Wolf, adjusting your strategy by focusing on removing the threat without relying on artifacts is crucial, enabling a seamless continuation of your game plan.

Understanding the strength and weaknesses of your own deck, while also anticipating the potential defenses in your opponent’s arsenal, allows you to remain one step ahead. Preparation and adaptability are the keys to outmaneuvering a card like Tel-Jilad Wolf and securing your position in the game.

Cards like Tel-Jilad Wolf

Tel-Jilad Wolf holds its ground in the space of efficient creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. This green card finds parallels with the likes of Rip-Clan Crasher. Although the Crasher has the advantage of haste, letting it swing into action immediately, Tel-Jilad Wolf compensates with a durable aspect of protection from artifacts that could be decisive in specific matchups.

Comparing it to Grizzly Bears, a classic creature staple, both cards have the same mana cost and power/toughness ratio. However, the artifact protection on Tel-Jilad Wolf often gives it a crucial edge in artifact-heavy metagames. Then, considering Pouncing Jaguar, which has echo and can be played at a quicker tempo due to its one-mana cost, it lacks the staying power that Tel-Jilad Wolf’s protection ability provides in prolonged games.

Evaluating these cards, Tel-Jilad Wolf is a solid choice in decks that anticipate regular encounters with artifact strategies. Its unique protection ability not only safeguards it against a common type of removal but also allows it to breeze through artifact creatures unblocked, making it a reliable piece in creature-based MTG decks.

Cards similar to Tel-Jilad Wolf by color, type and mana cost

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Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tel-Jilad Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Tel-Jilad Wolf and other MTG cards: