Call of the Wild: A Comprehensive Review

TL;DR Summary Call of the Wild is an enchantment that allows you to reveal and play the top card from your library for 2G{2}G, providing a flexible way to ramp up your mana and deploy creatures. While it's not a game-changing card on its own, it can be a valuable addition to certain decks that focus on drawing and playing creatures.

Understanding Call of the Wild

Call of the Wild is an enchantment with a single ability that triggers when you pay 2G{2}G. The ability allows you to reveal the top card of your library, putting it onto the battlefield if it's a creature card or into your graveyard otherwise. This simple yet effective design makes Call of the Wild an attractive option for players who want to deploy creatures efficiently.

One key aspect of Call of the Wild is its flexibility in terms of mana ramping. By paying 2G{2}G, you're essentially gaining two mana at a relatively low cost. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where you need to accelerate your mana development or recover from a slow start. For example, if you're playing a deck with a high creature density and need to deploy multiple creatures quickly, Call of the Wild can help you achieve this by providing an additional source of mana.

Interactions and Synergies

Call of the Wild interacts well with other cards that care about creature cards being on top of your library. Cards like Mox Opal or Arcane Signet, which allow you to manipulate your library, can combine well with Call of the Wild to create powerful synergies. For instance, if you have Mox Opal in play and use its ability to put a creature card onto the top of your library, you can then use Call of the Wild to reveal and play that creature.

Strategic Uses and Deck Archetypes

Call of the Wild is not an inherently aggressive or defensive card, but it can be used in various strategic contexts depending on your deck's focus. Here are a few examples:

• Aggressive decks: In green-based aggro decks, Call of the Wild can serve as a key ramp spell to accelerate your creature deployment and pressure opponents early game.
• Midrange decks: Midrange decks often aim for a balance between creature development and control elements. Call of the Wild's ability to deploy creatures efficiently makes it an attractive addition to these types of decks.
• Combo-oriented decks: Combo decks often rely on powerful synergies between cards. Call of the Wild can be used as part of more complex combinations, such as pairing with Cultivate or Vines of Vastwood to generate a large number of creatures quickly.

Some notable card combinations that feature Call of the Wild include:

• Call of the Wild + Mox Opal: This combination allows you to manipulate your library and deploy creatures efficiently.
• Call of the Wild + Cultivate: By using Cultivate to generate multiple creature cards, you can then use Call of the Wild to reveal and play these creatures.
• Call of the Wild + Vines of Vastwood: This combination enables you to ramp up your mana quickly while deploying creatures efficiently.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Based on its effects, Call of the Wild is best suited for decks that prioritize creature development and efficient deployment. Here are some deck archetypes where it can shine:

• Green-based aggro: Aggressive green decks can benefit from Call of the Wild's ability to accelerate their mana development.
• Midrange: Midrange decks often aim for a balance between creature development and control elements, making Call of the Wild an attractive addition.
• Combo-oriented: Combo decks that rely on powerful synergies can incorporate Call of the Wild as part of more complex combinations.

When building around Call of the Wild, it's essential to consider its mana cost and how it interacts with other cards in your deck. Green-based aggro decks often prioritize fast creature deployment, while midrange decks may focus on balancing creature development with control elements. Combo-oriented decks, on the other hand, can use Call of the Wild as part of more complex combinations.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

In terms of format viability, Call of the Wild has seen play in various formats since its release, including Modern, Standard, and Commander. Its effectiveness depends largely on the metagame and how it interacts with other cards.

• Modern: In Modern, Call of the Wild is often used in combination with more powerful creatures to create a fast and aggressive gameplan.
• Standard: In Standard, Call of the Wild has seen play in midrange decks that aim for a balance between creature development and control elements.
• Commander: In Commander, Call of the Wild can be used as part of larger combinations or as a standalone ramp spell.

While Call of the Wild is not an inherently powerful card, its ability to accelerate mana development makes it a valuable addition to certain decks. Its impact on the game depends largely on how it's used in conjunction with other cards and the metagame at large.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Call of the Wild interacts with several other cards and mechanics, including:

• Mox Opal: When paired with Mox Opal, Call of the Wild becomes even more powerful as you can manipulate your library to deploy creatures quickly.
• Cultivate: By using Cultivate to generate multiple creature cards, you can then use Call of the Wild to reveal and play these creatures.
• Vines of Vastwood: This combination enables you to ramp up your mana quickly while deploying creatures efficiently.

From a technical standpoint, Call of the Wild's ability is relatively straightforward. When its cost is paid, it allows you to reveal the top card of your library, putting it onto the battlefield if it's a creature card or into your graveyard otherwise. This simple yet effective design makes it an attractive option for players who want to deploy creatures efficiently.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Call of the Wild features artwork by Cezar Macedo, which depicts a fantastical forest scene with lush greenery and towering trees. The card's flavor text reads: "The wild calls to you."

In terms of historical context, Call of the Wild was first introduced in the Rivals of Ixalan set. Its design reflects the game's ongoing focus on creature-based gameplay and the importance of efficient mana development.

Summary of Key Points

Call of the Wild is an enchantment that allows you to reveal and play the top card from your library for 2G{2}G, providing a flexible way to ramp up your mana and deploy creatures. Its ability can be used in various strategic contexts, including aggressive decks, midrange decks, and combo-oriented decks.

Key interactions include pairing with Mox Opal, Cultivate, and Vines of Vastwood to generate powerful synergies. In terms of deckbuilding roles, Call of the Wild is best suited for green-based aggro decks, midrange decks, and combo-oriented decks.

In terms of format viability, Call of the Wild has seen play in various formats since its release, including Modern, Standard, and Commander. While it's not an inherently powerful card, its ability to accelerate mana development makes it a valuable addition to certain decks.

Conclusion

Call of the Wild is a versatile enchantment that can be used in various strategic contexts depending on your deck's focus. Its ability to reveal and play creatures efficiently makes it an attractive option for players who want to deploy creatures quickly. When paired with other cards, Call of the Wild becomes even more powerful as you can generate complex combinations and synergies.

While its impact on the game depends largely on how it's used in conjunction with other cards and the metagame at large, Call of the Wild remains a valuable addition to certain decks. By understanding its interactions and uses, players can effectively integrate this enchantment into their deckbuilding strategy and maximize its potential.