Howlpack Wolf MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 164
2023-03-21 - Number 162
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wolf |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Howlpack Wolf strengthens board presence, serving as consistent offensive or defensive support in games.
- Its tribal synergies offer resource efficiency, but a specific mana and pack requirement limit flexibility.
- Although niche, it finds a home in themed decks and can shape the meta with new set releases.
Text of card
Howlpack Wolf can't block unless you control another Wolf or Werewolf.
Wolves and werewolves join together for the common cause of the hunt.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Howlpack Wolf allows for consistent board presence, which strategically contributes to maintaining a solid offensive or defensive line during gameplay. By ensuring you have creatures on the board, you’re better equipped to pressure opponents and keep up in the race for board control.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, playing a creature like Howlpack Wolf can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by keeping pressure on the opponent, potentially forcing them to spend resources handling it. Additionally, synergies with other cards that benefit from having a wolf on the battlefield could lead to a more efficient use of your resources.
Instant Speed: Although Howlpack Wolf doesn’t have instant speed itself, it interacts well with other spells you might cast at instant speed. For example, playing it alongside flash creatures or instant-speed tricks can create unexpected dynamics during your opponent’s turn, catching them off guard and potentially turning the tide of the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Howlpack Wolf requires other Wolves or Werewolves you control in order to attack, which can be restrictive and a handicap if your board doesn’t support this condition.
Specific Mana Cost: Howlpack Wolf demands a precise mana combination to be cast – two generic and one red mana – hindering its flexibility and potentially complicating your mana curve, especially in multicolored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, its 3/3 stats might seem reasonable, but in a game where mana efficiency is key, its requirement to attack alongside other tribe members may not measure up to other cards in the same mana slot. Other creatures at this cost could offer additional abilities or have a less restrictive attacking clause, making them potentially more impactful choices for your strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Howlpack Wolf’s seamless integration into wolf and werewolf-centric strategies makes it a solid choice for tribal decks. Moreover, its straightforward mana cost enables it to fit into many red or green based aggro decks.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy within sets featuring wolf/werewolf support cards, potentially enabling powerful combos. Pairing Howlpack Wolf with cards that buff wolves can turn it, and other friendly canines, into formidable threats.
Meta-Relevance: While the Howlpack Wolf may not headline competitive formats, it shines in casual and thematic settings where creature type is key. As the game has an ever-changing meta, this card could rise in utility with future sets that favor animalistic or tribal synergies.
How to beat
Howlpack Wolf presents itself as a straightforward creature in Magic: The Gathering, holding its own within the scope of red creature cards. It may not have the complexity of other creatures, yet it poses a certain challenge to overcome due to its pack mentality. The key to effectively countering Howlpack Wolf lies in disrupting this synergy.
One strategy includes leveraging removal spells that can handle multiple creatures at once, such as sweepers or board wipes, to prevent the Howlpack Wolf from taking advantage of numbers. Spot removals also work well when timed correctly to maintain control over the battlefield. Additionally, the wolf’s inability to block alone could be exploited by forcing unfavorable trades, ensuring that it cannot serve as an effective defense for your opponent.
Employing creatures with abilities that stifle the opponent’s capacity to cast multiple creatures can also stymie the Howlpack Wolf’s potential, making it a less threatening presence on the board. Thus, while Howlpack Wolf can be formidable in numbers, there are numerous tactics within Magic: The Gathering that allow players to efficiently handle the challenge it presents.
Cards like Howlpack Wolf
Howlpack Wolf presents as an interesting creature pick for limited formats in Magic: The Gathering. Its parallels with cards such as Goblin Smuggler are immediately apparent, with both exhibiting the same power and toughness. What distinguishes Howlpack Wolf is its pack mentality, only able to attack if you control another Wolf or Werewolf, creating a deck-building consideration for synergy with other lycanthropic cards.
Another creature that comes to mind is Borderland Marauder. Although it shares the same converted mana cost as Howlpack Wolf, the Marauder’s ability to increase in power when attacking offers a different dynamic, potentially leading to higher damage output without relying on other creatures. However, without the werewolf synergy, its role in thematic decks differs significantly.
Lastly, we look at Kessig Forgemaster, a potent contender sharing the set’s werewolf thematic. This card transforms under certain conditions, an ability Howlpack Wolf lacks, fortifying its place in decks designed around transformative mechanics. Each card’s strengths shine in the right context, making Howlpack Wolf a component that can harmonize well with its tribal counterparts.
Cards similar to Howlpack Wolf by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Howlpack Wolf MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad 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 Howlpack Wolf 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 Howlpack Wolf Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 164 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 162 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Howlpack Wolf 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Howlpack Wolf card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | If you control a second Howlpack Wolf, they can both block. |
