Whirlwind of Thought MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage, fueling hand replenishment with each noncreature spell cast.
  2. Encourages fast-paced, reactive gameplay with instant-speed spells drawing cards.
  3. Demands Jeskai colors and a steady flow of noncreature spells for optimization.

Text of card

Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, draw a card.

As Narset struggled to meditate, tiny dragonlings spiraled around her, conjuring thoughts of ancient clans.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Whirlwind of Thought provides a consistent source of card drawing every time you cast a noncreature spell. This is especially potent in decks that play a lot of instants, sorceries, and other noncreature spells, helping to ensure you never run out of options.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the card draws offered by Whirlwind of Thought indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By drawing into more lands and spells, you can develop your board and hand more quickly than your opponent, staying ahead in the race for resources.

Instant Speed: Though Whirlwind of Thought itself is an enchantment, it encourages a playstyle that leverages instant-speed interactions. Each instant spell cast draws you a card, thus providing immediate value and keeping your hand replenished, allowing for a more reactive and adaptive gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Whirlwind of Thought offers an attractive card draw potential, it does mandate that you have a noncreature spell to cast to trigger the effect. This could be restrictive as it relies on having a steady flow of specific types of spells in your hand to maximize its value. If you’re running low on noncreature spells, the card might not provide the advantage you need when you need it most.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Whirlwind of Thought includes all three colors of Jeskai (blue, red, and white), which might make it challenging to smoothly incorporate into your deck. This specific mana requirement can restrict deck versatility and make it prone to color screw, especially in formats where mana fixing is limited or in decks that heavily favor a single color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial investment of four mana, Whirlwind of Thought could be considered a commitment resource-wise. In matches where speed is of the essence, allocating four mana to this card may delay other critical plays. Additionally, considering the mana cost, players might find other card draw engines or spells that are more cost-effective, allowing for a swifter and potentially more impactful play earlier in the game.


Reasons to Include Whirlwind of Thought in Your Collection

Versatility: Whirlwind of Thought is a powerful addition to any deck that capitalizes on casting noncreature spells. Whether you’re fueling a control, combo, or spell-slinger archetype, this enchantment allows you to draw a card for each noncreature spell you cast, keeping your hand full and your options open.

Combo Potential: This card lends itself to numerous combos by integrating with decks that cast multiple spells in a single turn. Pairing it with cost-reducing cards or spells that untap your lands can create explosive turns where you draw a significant portion of your deck and find the pieces you need to win the game.

Meta-Relevance: With many decks focusing on spell-based strategies, Whirlwind of Thought slots in perfectly to offer consistent card draw and maintain pressure on opponents. It thrives in a meta where staying ahead on resources is crucial and can tilt the balance in long, attrition-based games.


How to beat

The potency of Whirlwind of Thought lies in its ability to provide card advantage by drawing a card each time a noncreature spell is cast. If unchecked, this can lead to an overwhelming flow of resources for your opponent. Therefore, strategies to defeat this card focus on disrupting this synergy. Counterspells are an efficient way to prevent Whirlwind of Thought from hitting the table in the first place. Should the enchantment be in play, enchantment removal becomes key – look for spells that can remove it directly, such as Disenchant or Mortify.

Another effective tactic is applying pressure via fast-paced play or using aggressive creatures. This compels the opponent to react, potentially diverting their mana away from casting the noncreature spells that fuel Whirlwind of Thought. In addition, hand disruption can dismantle your opponent’s strategy from the inside, removing key noncreature spells before they can be used to generate card advantage. Thoughtseize and Duress are excellent examples of such interaction.

Applying these principles will help in mitigating the advantage given by Whirlwind of Thought, balancing the scales, and putting you on the path to victory against decks that harness the power of this dynamic enchantment.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the eclectic flow of MTG requires both strategy and an ever-evolving deck. Whirlwind of Thought stands as a testament to skillful deck construction, rewarding the clever mage with a bounty of card advantage. As you weave your spells across the vibrant tapestry of the game, remember that it’s your collection that mirrors your journey on the path to victory. We encourage you to continue this journey with us, learning and evolving strategies that could shift the tides of battle in your favor. Join our community to dive deeper into the strategies that make Whirlwind of Thought a cornerstone in your spell-slinging arsenal.


Cards like Whirlwind of Thought

Whirlwind of Thought is a unique enchantment in Magic the Gathering that rewards players for casting noncreature spells. It shares some similarities with cards like Fevered Visions which also encourages a strategy revolving around casting multiple spells. However, Whirlwind of Thought provides a card draw on each noncreature spell cast, as opposed to Fevered Visions which draws at the end of the turn and only if opponents have four or more cards in hand. This distinction grants Whirlwind of Thought a more consistent and immediate card advantage.

Looking towards Jeskai Ascendancy, another card that synergizes with noncreature spells, we see a similarity in the potential for a combo-driven deck. While Jeskai Ascendancy grants a loot effect, untapping creatures and buffing them for each noncreature spell, Whirlwind of Thought provides a raw card draw. This makes Whirlwind of Thought more versatile and easier to include in a wider array of deck types that might not be centered around creatures.

In assessing these comparisons, Whirlwind of Thought stands out as a formidable choice for decks that aim to cast numerous noncreature spells. It fuels continuous card advantage without being contingent on specific board states, unlike its counterparts, making it a reliable engine in the right deck.

Fevered Visions - MTG Card versions
Jeskai Ascendancy - MTG Card versions
Fevered Visions - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Jeskai Ascendancy - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)

Cards similar to Whirlwind of Thought by color, type and mana cost

The Legend of Arena - MTG Card versions
The Legend of Arena - 2018 Heroes of the Realm (PH18)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Whirlwind of Thought MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos, 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 Whirlwind of Thought and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Whirlwind of Thought Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Bram Sels.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 808372015normalblackBram Sels
22020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths PromosPIKO 215s2015normalblackBram Sels
32020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths PromosPIKO 215p2015normalblackBram Sels
42020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 3482015normalblackBram Sels
52020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 2152015normalblackBram Sels
62023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 3442015normalblackBram Sels

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Whirlwind of Thought has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Whirlwind of Thought card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-04-17 An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2020-04-17 Players can cast spells and activate abilities after the triggered ability resolves but before the spell that caused it to trigger does.

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