Mowu, Loyal Companion MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Dog
Abilities Trample, Vigilance
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Mowu synergizes well with decks that utilize +1/+1 counters, enhancing creature prowess.
  2. Her vigilance provides a strong defensive and offensive presence in every turn.
  3. With specific green mana costs, Mowu’s inclusion can influence deck composition.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance, trample If one or more +1/+1 counters would be put on Mowu, Loyal Companion, that many plus one +1/+1 counters are put on it instead.

Wherever Yanggu goes, Mowu follows—sometimes at his side, sometimes obscuring him from view entirely.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Mowu herself does not directly allow you to draw cards, she synergizes well with decks that benefit from having a creature with her level of loyalty and resilience. This makes Mowu, Loyal Companion a card that can indirectly contribute to maintaining card advantage through her steadfast presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Mowu’s strength can be amplified quickly through +1/+1 counters, which can be considered a form of resource acceleration. With the right setup and support cards, Mowu can become a significant threat that requires fewer external resources to become effective.

Instant Speed: As a creature, Mowu does not operate at instant speed, but her vigilance trait ensures she is always ready to react during each turn. This allows the player to keep up the pressure on opponents without having to choose between attacking and defending.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Mowu, Loyal Companion doesn’t inherently have a discard requirement, this card could compel players to hold onto specific creature buffs in their hand to optimize its potential, potentially limiting their ability to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This lovable canine comes with a specific mana cost that includes green, which means it can only be optimally utilized within a deck that accommodates or focuses on green mana, possibly restricting deck-building versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial cost of three mana may not seem too steep, but to fully exploit Mowu’s potential, you’ll likely be sinking additional mana into buffing him with counters. As a result, decks might find more aggressive or lower-cost creatures that offer a faster tempo or immediate impact on the board.


Reasons to Include Mowu, Loyal Companion in Your Collection

Versatility: Mowu, Loyal Companion offers adaptability as a robust creature that can be easily inserted into various deck archetypes, particularly those that synergize with +1/+1 counters.

Combo Potential: This faithful hound synergizes well with decks that focus on proliferating or doubling counters, making it a substantial threat when combined with the right cards.

Meta-Relevance: Given its resilience to removal thanks to its Vigilance and Trample attributes, Mowu, Loyal Companion holds its ground in a meta that favors creature-based strategies.


How to Beat

Mowu, Loyal Companion, brings a faithful twist to creature dynamics in the game. This sturdy hound excels in decks designed around +1/+1 counters and packs a punch with its vigilance and trample abilities. To outmaneuver Mowu, consider using removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, which can effectively deal with individual creatures regardless of their size.

Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can also clear the way by removing Mowu along with other threats on the board. Enchantment-based removal such as Pacifism or the more permanent Imprisoned in the Moon can also sideline Mowu without triggering death-related abilities. Alternatively, you can outpace Mowu with aggressive strategies or fly over with aerial assaults, making ground-bound creatures less of a concern.

Ultimately, countering Mowu, Loyal Companion, revolves around staying one step ahead, whether through efficient removal or by building a strategy that renders the loyal hound less impactful on the game’s outcome. Adapting to the presence of Mowu on the battlefield can be the key to securing victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

A deeper look into the MTG realm reveals Mowu, Loyal Companion as a card that shines with the right deck synergy. Its role in enhancing card advantage and resource acceleration through +1/+1 counters demonstrates the strategic depth available to players. With an understanding of both its strengths and limitations, the card’s potential in green-centric decks can be fully realized. If you’re building a deck that values resilience and adaptability, consider how Mowu could fortify your strategies. Dive into our comprehensive insights at BurnMana for more on optimizing your deck and ensuring Mowu’s loyalty is well-placed within your MTG collection.


Cards like Mowu, Loyal Companion

Mowu, Loyal Companion is a beloved creature card in Magic: The Gathering that adds a solid presence to any battlefield. Like Mowu, the card Silverfur Partisan thrives in decks that emphasize +1/+1 counters. Though Silverfur Partisan comes with its own twist, rewarding players for targeting it with spells by creating Wolf tokens, Mowu focuses on a simpler, steadfast increase in power and toughness.

Looking at other counterparts, Trusted Pegasus shares Mowu’s undying loyalty but takes to the skies, offering flying support to another creature during attacks. While pegasus helps with evasion, Mowu offers the virtue of enduring more damage with its vigilance and trample abilities. Finally, comparing Alpine Houndmaster brings in a multi-faceted approach, providing card advantage and synergy with other cards. Mowu doesn’t fetch cards like Houndmaster does, but it is a dependable stand-alone card that becomes increasingly threatening with every +1/+1 counter.

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, where flexibility and power go hand in hand, Mowu, Loyal Companion solidifies its value by being a powerhouse in growth-focused decks and a reliable guardian for its controller.

Silverfur Partisan - MTG Card versions
Trusted Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Alpine Houndmaster - MTG Card versions
Silverfur Partisan - MTG Card versions
Trusted Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Alpine Houndmaster - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mowu, Loyal Companion MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and Commander Masters, 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 Mowu, Loyal Companion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mowu, Loyal Companion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Kimonas Theodossiou.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 1672015NormalBlackKimonas Theodossiou
22023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 3062015NormalBlackKimonas Theodossiou

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mowu, Loyal Companion has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mowu, Loyal Companion 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 Because Mowu’s replacement effect affects only Mowu, it will apply if Mowu somehow enters the battlefield with one or more +1/+1 counters on it and give Mowu an additional +1/+1 counter.

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