Darigaaz's Whelp MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying,Kicker,Seek |
| Released | 2022-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: Dominaria |
| Set code | YDMU |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 8 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Brian Valeza |
Text of card
Kicker Flying Whenever you draw a Dragon card, it perpetually gets +1/+1. When Darigaaz's Whelp enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, seek a Dragon card. Darigaaz's Whelp and that Dragon card each perpetually get +1/+1.
Cards like Darigaaz's Whelp
Darigaaz’s Whelp forms part of the dragon creature line in Magic: The Gathering, sharing a thematic kinship with cards like Dragon Hatchling. Both cards boast the dragon creature type and have the ability to boost their power. Where Darigaaz’s Whelp shines is in its ability to perpetually enhance and synergize with Dragon decks, incentivizing the casting of other dragons. In contrast, Dragon Hatchling requires mana investment each turn to temporarily increase its power.
Comparatively, Furnace Whelp presents a similar increase in power capability through mana investment, yet Darigaaz’s Whelp stands out with its direct tribute to the iconic dragon Darigaaz, allowing for a thematic and mechanical cohesion in a dragon-centric deck. Another relative is Slumbering Dragon, which starts out dormant but has the potential to become a powerhouse. While Slumbering Dragon has a steeper growth curve, Darigaaz’s Whelp provides a consistent and gradual power increase for each dragon spell you cast, thus rewarding long-term strategy.
In assessing dragon creatures that complement the mighty dragon archetype, Darigaaz’s Whelp secures its position as a noteworthy and thematic enabler, making it a potential staple in MTG decks focused on dragon tribal synergy.
Cards similar to Darigaaz's Whelp by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Darigaaz’s Whelp enables players to potentially return a key creature card from their graveyard to their hand, giving them an edge by reusing powerful creatures and maintaining card superiority.
Resource Acceleration: Through its ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard to your hand, it facilitates resource acceleration, bypassing the need for additional draw or search mechanics and directly impacting your resource management.
Instant Speed: While Darigaaz’s Whelp itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it can synergize with cards that do. Combining it with instant-speed mechanics allows players to adapt their strategies on the fly, turning graveyard recourses into hand advantages unexpectedly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Darigaaz’s Whelp demands that you pitch another card from your hand into the graveyard, a strategy that may backfire when your hand is already depleted or each card is vital for maintaining your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Darigaaz’s Whelp to the battlefield requires a precise combination of mana types, which can be a stumbling block in decks that don’t consistently produce red, black, and green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at three mana, this dragon creature isn’t the heaviest hitter, especially considering other creatures in the same mana range often come with impactful abilities or higher stats.
Reasons to Include Darigaaz’s Whelp in Your Collection
Versatility: Darigaaz’s Whelp presents a flexible role in many dragon-themed decks and those looking for an extra kick in their mid-game. Its ability to offer a recursive threat makes it a good fit for strategies that benefit from repeatable creature effects.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with sacrifice and graveyard-based mechanics, offering potential combos with cards that increase its power or exploit its reanimation theme for additional value.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with an affinity for creature-based strategies, Darigaaz’s Whelp can serve as both an enduring threat and a strategic blocker. Its presence on the board can often deter opponents from attacking and influence their removal decisions.
How to beat Darigaaz’s Whelp
Darigaaz’s Whelp stages a formidable presence in any player’s creature lineup. To efficiently overcome this card, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key. As a creature that thrives on Dragon synergy, disrupting its support network can mitigate its impact. Targeting pivotal Dragon spells before they resolve curbs the potential combos it can unleash, making counter spells or removals a strategic priority against decks that feature Darigaaz’s Whelp.
Furthermore, since Darigaaz’s Whelp hinges on building momentum with other Dragons, having sweepers ready can catch your opponent off-guard. Basically, board-clearing spells that can handle multiple creatures at once are essential tools to keep in your arsenal. They help maintain control of the battlefield and preemptively extinguish threats posed by escalating Dragon tribes.
Lastly, be wary of your opponent’s graveyard. Darigaaz’s Whelp can interact with graveyard mechanics to bring Dragons back into play. Graveyard hate cards provide a line of defense, ensuring Dragons don’t cycle back into the combat phase. In essence, depriving Darigaaz’s Whelp of both its kin and its second chance from the graveyard can pave your way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Darigaaz's Whelp MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Dominaria, 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 Darigaaz's Whelp and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Darigaaz's Whelp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |