Kessig Wolf MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wolf
Released	2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set name	Innistrad
Set code	ISD
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	151
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne England

Key Takeaways

Kessig Wolf excels in card advantage with abilities that deal with multiple threats and dictate opponent strategies.
Instant speed interaction and resource acceleration make it a powerhouse for maintaining board pressure.
However, its discard requirement and specific mana cost may limit flexibility and deck integration.

Text of card

: Kessig Wolf gains first strike until end of turn.

"Don't be afraid when you hear the wolves howl. Be afraid when you don't hear them at all." —Saint Trogen, the Slayer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kessig Wolf shines in offering card advantage by potentially dealing with multiple threats at once, thanks to its overpowered abilities. It draws the opponent’s focus, letting you preserve other key cards in play.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a pivot for resource acceleration, allowing you to maintain pressure on the board. By effectively managing your resources, Kessig Wolf can help you maximize mana usage to sway the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: The swift nature of this card allows you to react swiftly to the evolving battlefield. Attacking at instant speed can surprise an opponent, potentially disrupting their strategy and tipping the scales when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing the Kessig Wolf requires choosing and discarding another card from your hand. This trade-off can put you at a disadvantage, particularly in game states where your hand size is already depleted, forcing you to lose potentially valuable resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Kessig Wolf demands a precise combination of mana to cast, which includes both generic and green mana. This specific requirement can make it challenging to seamlessly integrate into a deck that’s not predominantly green, potentially reducing its flexibility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered on the higher end for its offered abilities and stats, the Kessig Wolf stands in contrast to other creatures in its range. Some players might find that other cards at the same mana cost provide a greater impact on the board or come with additional advantageous abilities.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kessig Wolf slips into a variety of decks with ease. Its ability to menace through defenders allows it to be an effective attacking creature in both aggressive red deck builds and more control-oriented game strategies that require a reliable board presence.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with deck mechanisms that focus on creature-based strategies. Its power can be enhanced with equipment, auras, or any buffs that capitalize on its natural ability to be harder to block, giving it increased relevance in combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: With the dynamism of the evolving MTG meta, Kessig Wolf maintains relevance particularly in environments where smaller creatures are prevalent. Its ability to potentially evade successful blocks can apply consistent pressure on an opponent, especially in matches where board control is pivotal.

How to beat

Kessig Wolf demands attention the moment it hits the board in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This creature card is synonymous with quick aggression thanks to its ability to receive a temporary power boost. Its synergy with decks that reward players for casting creature spells or those built around wolf and werewolf themes make it a significant threat.

Beyond its glaring strengths, Kessig Wolf has its weaknesses. It is susceptible to common removal spells, which makes it an easy target before its power can be buffed. Counterspells are also an effective method to prevent it from entering the battlefield altogether. Moreover, enchantments that restrict creature abilities can neuter the potential of Kessig Wolf, leaving it as a mere 3/1 creature without much impact. Engaging in combat with creatures that have first strike or enough toughness to withstand its attack also serves as a solid line of defense.

Understanding the balance of power, toughness, and abilities is crucial in creating an effective counter strategy to Kessig Wolf. By managing your resources wisely and keeping control, you can ensure that this creature doesn’t run wild over your game plan.

Cards like Kessig Wolf

Kessig Wolf steps into a lineage of formidable creatures within the MTG realm, closely paralleling other wolf-themed cards. A prime example of a relative is the Pyreheart Wolf, which also hails from the dark forests of Innistrad. Both creatures share the thematic tribal synergy but diverge in abilities; Pyreheart Wolf offers the resilience of undying and grants menace to your creatures, while Kessig Wolf shines with its straightforward power boost activated skill.

Furthermore, we find the Young Wolf, another card that edges its way into this comparison. It’s more cost-effective than our Kessig Wolf, with a low casting cost and the undying ability, sustaining its presence on the board after being dealt with lethal damage. Yet, it lacks the immediate offensive impact presented by Kessig Wolf’s activated ability. Then there is the Howlpack Resurgence, a tribal enchantment that could potentially benefit all wolf-type creatures you control, making it an expansive support to Kessig Wolf’s natural aggression.

Assessing the pack, we see Kessig Wolf may not have the durability or wide-reaching effects of its kin, but its simplicity and potential for immediate aggression make it a valuable contender in MTG decks emphasizing rapid, forceful strikes.

Cards similar to Kessig Wolf by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions

Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kessig Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Kessig Wolf and other MTG cards: