Whirlwind Adept MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Djinn Monk
Abilities Hexproof,Prowess
Power 4
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Prowess turns resource acceleration into aggressive play, enhancing Whirlwind Adept’s offensive capabilities.
  2. Hexproof and prowess create a resilient creature, well suited for spell-heavy MTG decks.
  3. Non-targeted removals and sacrifice effects are key strategies to counter Whirlwind Adept.

Text of card

Hexproof (This creature can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.) Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Whirlwind Adept’s prowess ability has the potential to create card advantage by being a consistent threat that must be answered. As you cast noncreature spells, it gains strength, deterring opponents from ignoring it and forcing them to use removal spells that could have been directed at more crucial targets.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes with spells that untap lands, generate mana, or reduce the cost of spells. By playing such spells, the prowess ability of Whirlwind Adept turns resource acceleration into offensive power, effectively converting what might typically be a setup turn into a turn of aggression.

Instant Speed: The true strength of Whirlwind Adept emerges when it’s supported by a deck with numerous instants. The ability to cast spells at instant speed in response to an opponent’s moves not only increases the Adept’s power but also keeps adversaries guessing, unsure of when you might boost its strength during combat or at the end of their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Whirlwind Adept comes with the demand that you discard another card to unlock its potential. This stipulation could pose a setback when your hand is already stretched thin and resources are precious.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Whirlwind Adept, you’re tied to a set mana combination which includes blue mana. This requirement can pigeonhole the card into specific deck archetypes, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that nudges on the higher side for its ability, there might be occasions where Whirlwind Adept may not be the most mana-efficient creature to play, particularly when other cards in the same mana range could deliver more immediate board impact or provide additional utility.


Reasons to Include Whirlwind Adept in Your Collection

Versatility: Whirlwind Adept offers a sturdy presence on the battlefield with hexproof, preventing your opponent’s targeted spells from affecting it. This makes it a reliable choice for decks that require durable creatures.

Combo Potential: Boasting both prowess and hexproof abilities, this card synergizes well with a spell-heavy deck. Casting noncreature spells not only boosts its power but does so with relative safety, allowing for powerful combinations during gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: Given a meta with prevalent targeted removal or control elements, Whirlwind Adept can serve as a resilient threat. Its ability to dodge spot-removal and potentially grow larger with every cast spell can give you an edge over decks relying heavily on targeted disruption.


How to Beat Whirlwind Adept

Whirlwind Adept is a crafty creature to face on the battlefield. Known for its hexproof ability, it presents a challenge since it cannot be targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. This means that conventional removal spells won’t work. However, there are effective strategies to overcome this formidable card. Board wipes that don’t target, such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation,” can clear the Adept away without needing to target it directly.

Moreover, forcing your opponent to sacrifice creatures can also bypass hexproof. You can navigate around the protection with cards like “Liliana of the Veil” or “Diabolic Edict” which don’t single out Whirlwind Adept specifically. Remember, strategies that alter the rules of combat, such as “Ensnaring Bridge” or “Ghostly Prison,” can also nullify the Adept’s offensive capabilities without needing to target it at all.

To sum up, the key to defeating Whirlwind Adept lies in using non-targeted removals, sacrifice effects, and combat control measures. By doing so, you can efficiently remove this elusive creature from the board and maintain your position in the game.


Cards like Whirlwind Adept

Whirlwind Adept is a unique creature card that brings a blend of agility and resilience to MTG. With its hexproof ability, it stands in league with creatures like Sagu Mauler, another hexproof card that strives to remain unaffected by targeted spells. Another comparable creature is the common Slippery Bogle, which although weaker in power, still shares the valuable hexproof ability, keeping it safe from unwanted spells.

Yet, the Adept sets itself apart with prowess – a powerful ability that increases its strength and toughness with every noncreature spell cast. This makes it quite similar to cards like Monastery Swiftspear, which also capitalizes on the prowess ability, albeit presenting a lower initial power. Despite this, the Swiftspear can quickly become a formidable force on the battlefield. While the Adept may not boost with each spell at the speed of a Monastery Swiftspear, its innate durability provided by hexproof makes it a persistent threat.

In the end, while considering its potential for power scaling and protection, Whirlwind Adept stands out as an asset in MTG decks that favor spellslinger strategies, offering consistent battlefield presence and ever-growing threat level with each cast spell.

Sagu Mauler - MTG Card versions
Slippery Bogle - MTG Card versions
Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions
Sagu Mauler - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Slippery Bogle - Eventide (EVE)
Monastery Swiftspear - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)

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Geology Enthusiast - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
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Infiltrator il-Kor - Future Sight (FUT)
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Chasm Drake - Magic 2012 (M12)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Whirlwind Adept MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Ultimate Masters, 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 Adept and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Whirlwind Adept Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Steve Argyle.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 632015normalblackSteve Argyle
22018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 822015normalblackSteve Argyle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Whirlwind Adept has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2014-09-20 Any spell you cast that doesn’t have the type creature will cause prowess to trigger. If a spell has multiple types, and one of those types is creature (such as an artifact creature), casting it won’t cause prowess to trigger. Playing a land also won’t cause prowess to trigger.
2014-09-20 Once it triggers, prowess isn’t connected to the spell that caused it to trigger. If that spell is countered, prowess will still resolve.
2014-09-20 Prowess goes on the stack on top of the spell that caused it to trigger. It will resolve before that spell.

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