Sarkhan's Whelp MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Card filtering ability through looting enhances hand quality in duels involving dragons.
  2. Loot ability triggers from dragon spells or abilities, facilitating instant-speed advantage.
  3. Demands specific mana and discard, which can be restrictive and costly in gameplay.

Text of card

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.) Whenever you activate an ability of a Sarkhan planeswalker, Sarkhan's Whelp deals 1 damage to any target.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sarkhan’s Whelp provides a steady stream of card advantage when it is paired with dragon spells or abilities, particularly because it allows you to loot, essentially filtering your hand to keep the most relevant cards.

Resource Acceleration: Although the primary function of Sarkhan’s Whelp doesn’t directly focus on resource acceleration, its synergy with dragons can lead to indirect resource gains through facilitated spell casting or cost reduction mechanisms inherent in many dragon-themed cards.

Instant Speed: Sarkhan’s Whelp itself may not operate at instant speed, but its ability to loot upon activation of a dragon’s ability means that it can capitalize on instant-speed dragons or dragon abilities, maintaining momentum and card quality during the critical moments of a match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sarkhan’s Whelp requires discarding a card to initiate its ability, a trade-off that may not always align with your game plan, especially when your hand is already running thin.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana, including red, to cast. This can be restrictive and necessitates careful deck building to ensure the right mana is available when you need it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher side for its stat line and effects, players might find that Sarkhan’s Whelp is outpaced by other creatures or spells that provide greater value or more immediate impact on the game.


Reasons to Include Sarkhan’s Whelp in Your Collection

Versatility: Sarkhan’s Whelp offers a flexible role in decks geared towards Dragon synergy or spellslinger strategies. Its ability to ping for damage upon casting a Dragon spell makes it a useful tool in various match-ups.

Combo Potential: This card can work seamlessly with other cards that trigger upon casting noncreature spells or Dragon-themed cards, presenting numerous combo possibilities that could turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the prevalence of creature-based decks in the current play environment, Sarkhan’s Whelp can serve as a recurrent source of damage and board control, making it an astute choice for players looking to keep pace with the meta.


How to beat

Sarkhan’s Whelp is a card that can give any dragon enthusiast a power spike in their MTG gameplay. Its ability ties to dragon spells, allowing you to funnel damage into an opponent or their creatures—a remarkable combo with any dragon heavy deck. To outplay this fiery whelp, timing is critical. Engaging in direct removal spells is a wise strategy, as waiting allows an opponent to capitalize on the damage trigger. Cards like Shock, Lightning Strike, or even a well-timed Unsummon can send Sarkhan’s Whelp packing before it becomes a larger threat.

Another effective tactic is to control the board and limit the number of dragons your adversary can cast. Counter spells and creature control can mitigate the effectiveness of Sarkhan’s Whelp’s ability. Additionally, keeping a close check on your own creature’s toughness ensures they aren’t easily taken down by the whelp’s fire-breathing antics. Playing defensively and smartly managing your removal spells can help you dismantle a strategy built around Sarkhan’s Whelp and keep you one step ahead in the duel.


Cards like Sarkhan's Whelp

Sarkhan’s Whelp stands out in the realm of MTG for its specific synergy with dragon spells. When comparing it to Dragon Hatchling, one can see the thematic resemblance of these dragon-associated cards. However, Sarkhan’s Whelp has the added perk of dealing damage when a player activates a loyalty ability of a Sarkhan planeswalker, a feature the Hatchling lacks. Dragon Egg is another card that shares the dragon theme but serves a different purpose; when it dies, it leaves behind a flying Dragon creature token with formidable stats. While Sarkhan’s Whelp actively supports Sarkhan planeswalker strategy by dealing damage, Dragon Egg provides a defensive value that later transforms into offensive power.

Looking at Firebrand Archer, another card that inflicts damage upon casting noncreature spells, one can find a somewhat parallel effect – but the Archer’s reach extends beyond assisting specific planeswalkers, hitting opponents whenever you cast most types of spells. This wider applicability contrasts with the Whelp’s specialized planeswalker support ability.

In summary, Sarkhan’s Whelp offers a unique niche for MTG players who focus on decks that capitalize on Sarkhan planeswalker synergies. It fills a role that few other cards can, particularly within dragon-themed strategies, leading to its unique position in MTG gameplay.

Dragon Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Dragon Egg - MTG Card versions
Firebrand Archer - MTG Card versions
Dragon Hatchling - Magic 2013 (M13)
Dragon Egg - Magic 2014 (M14)
Firebrand Archer - Hour of Devastation (HOU)

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Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
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Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
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Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
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Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sarkhan's Whelp MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Sarkhan's Whelp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sarkhan's Whelp Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Craig J Spearing.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 2992015normalblackCraig J Spearing
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 5952015normalblackCraig J Spearing

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sarkhan's Whelp has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

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