Howling Mine — Magic: The Gathering card

Howling Mine

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Artifact

At the beginning of each player's draw step, if Howling Mine is untapped, that player draws an additional card.

Set Unlimited Edition
Rarity Rare
Artist Mark Poole

Why Play Howling Mine

Symmetrical card draw becomes asymmetrical when you can capitalize on the extra resources better than your opponent. Fast aggro decks use it to refuel after dumping their hand, while combo decks leverage the additional cards to assemble their pieces more quickly. The key timing is deploying it when you're ahead on board or when your deck can convert cards into threats more efficiently than your opponent's reactive strategy.

Format Notes

Legacy sees the most competitive play, where it enables storm combo decks and occasionally appears in prison strategies that can lock down the extra cards drawn. Modern applications are more fringe, typically in all-in combo builds that need maximum velocity. Commander tables appreciate the political implications and group hug potential, though savvy players recognize it often benefits the most proactive deck at the table rather than creating true parity.

Combos & Synergies

Winter Orb creates a powerful lock where opponents draw extra cards they can't cast due to mana denial. Teferi's Puzzle Box transforms the additional draw into forced hand disruption, cycling through libraries rapidly. Storm combo decks pair it with rituals and cantrips to generate massive card advantage before going off, using the extra draws to find key pieces like Tendrils of Agony or Empty the Warrens.

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Artifact