Wild Wanderer MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 173
2020-11-12 - Number 186
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Druid |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Provides land ramp and resource acceleration for casting larger spells early in the game.
- Not instant speed, requires battlefield presence for its ability, affecting flexibility.
- Despite a higher mana cost, offers significant board presence and combo potential.
Text of card
When Wild Wanderer enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library.
"We all began in nature, and nature is where we belong."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wild Wanderer offers a valuable foothold in the game by allowing you to search your library for a basic land card and put it into play tapped, thus, increasing your available resources without losing card equilibrium.
Resource Acceleration: By effectively ramping up your land count, Wild Wanderer provides a significant boost in your mana base which is essential for casting more demanding spells earlier than usual, setting a faster pace for your gameplay.
Instant Speed: While the Wild Wanderer does not operate at instant speed, the tactical advantage it provides upon entering the battlefield can often set you up for success allowing for rapid deployment of subsequent spells which could be utilised at instant speed, keeping your opponents on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike some other ramp cards, Wild Wanderer requires a player to have it on the battlefield to utilize its ability, which could be a setback during tight gameplay where casting creatures might be less preferable than instant-speed interactions.
Specific Mana Cost: Wild Wanderer demands a specific arrangement of mana, including one green, which could be a challenge in multicolored or colorless mana base decks, potentially affecting its flexibility and ease of casting.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Wild Wanderer faces competition from a range of other mana ramp options which may provide more immediate or versatile benefits for the same or lower mana investment, thus it may not always be the go-to choice for deck optimization.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Wild Wanderer is a card that slots easily into various deck types, particularly those looking to ramp up their mana production. It can serve as a solid four-drop creature that also enables you to fetch a basic land and put it onto the battlefield tapped, not just in your hand.
Combo Potential: Its land-searching ability is prime for triggering landfall abilities or supporting multi-color decks. Plus, as a creature, it works well with mechanics that care about creature entries and exits from the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where games extend beyond the early turns, Wild Wanderer’s dual role as both a body on the board and a ramp tool can keep you competitive against decks with higher mana curves.
How to beat
Wild Wanderer is a unique utility creature that brings a touch of ramp potential to the battlefield in MTG. It allows players to search their library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped, which can be especially advantageous for mana acceleration and color fixing.
When facing a Wild Wanderer, it’s crucial to mitigate the advantage it provides. Efficient removal spells that can deal with the creature before the land tutor effect can be maximized are key. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile offer immediate answers to Wild Wanderer, ensuring that your opponent doesn’t pull too far ahead in the resource race. Moreover, countering this four-mana creature with a well-timed Essence Scatter or Negate can also disrupt your opponent’s game plan. Considering Wild Wanderer’s impact is felt mainly when it enters the battlefield, once it’s on the board, it becomes less of a threat due to its average stats.
In essence, by prioritizing the removal or countering of Wild Wanderer, players can maintain balance in the ongoing struggle for mana advantage. This proactive approach is pivotal in beating the card and keeping the tempo in your favor.
Cards like Wild Wanderer
Wild Wanderer enters a long line of creature-based ramp in Magic: The Gathering. This creature reminds us of other four mana creatures with a focus on landing acceleration, such as Solemn Simulacrum. Both cards allow you to search for a basic land and put it onto the battlefield when they enter, but Wild Wanderer lets you search specifically for a basic land card, giving a slight advantage in color fixing. In addition, Solemn Simulacrum draws you a card when it dies, an upside not present with Wild Wanderer.
Wood Elves are another card that shares similarities with Wild Wanderer. Both grab a land and bring it into play untapped, however, Wood Elves have a distinct advantage with a lower casting cost and the ability to fetch non-basic Forest cards, which provides even better mana fixing capabilities. On the flip side, Wild Wanderer has a larger body, making it a more formidable presence on the battlefield.
Taking into account their mana-finding versatility and board impact, Wild Wanderer certainly holds its own among MTG’s creature-based mana ramp options, especially for players looking to strengthen their deck’s mana base while providing a solid creature presence.
Cards similar to Wild Wanderer by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wild Wanderer MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Wild Wanderer and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Wild Wanderer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 173 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sidharth Chaturvedi | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 186 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sidharth Chaturvedi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wild Wanderer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
