Pursued Whale MTG Card
2020-07-03 - Number 60
2020-07-03 - Number 351
2022-06-10 - Number 732
2022-07-07 - Number 909
2002-06-24 - Number 82024
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Whale |
| Power | 8 |
| Toughness | 8 |
Text of card
When Pursued Whale enters the battlefield, each opponent creates a 1/1 red Pirate creature token with "This creature can't block" and "Creatures you control attack each combat if able." Spells your opponents cast that target Pursued Whale cost more to cast.
Cards like Pursued Whale
The Pursued Whale has carved its niche in the vast ocean of blue creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This giant of the seas shares some game mechanics with cards like Frost Titan, another commanding presence on the board. Both establish a sense of dominance with their formidable abilities to lock down opponents’ assets, but the Pursued Whale takes a unique approach by compelling the opponent to attack it with a creature every turn.
Comparable in theme and effect, Elder Deep-Fiend also taps down the opponent’s potential blockers or even lands. However, it offers more versatility with its Flash ability, making it a surprise element during a crucial phase of the opponent’s turn. In contrast, Pursued Whale’s impact is felt throughout the course of its presence, creating a consistent pressure on the opponent’s strategic options.
While the whale asserts its presence passively, forcing the opponent’s hand, cards like Sower of Temptation allow you to take control of a creature directly upon entering the battlefield. The choice between deploying a commanding creature like Pursued Whale or engaging in a more aggressive strategy with a card like Sower of Temptation can significantly shape the tide of the game.
Cards similar to Pursued Whale by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Pursued Whale creates a unique dynamic that can often lead to card advantage. Upon entering the battlefield, it forces the opponent to put a 1/1 red Pirate creature token onto the battlefield, which must attack each turn if able. This interaction may compel your opponent to use removal spells on their own creature, effectively generating card advantage for you without expending additional resources.
Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly providing resource acceleration like some other cards, the Pursued Whale can indirectly contribute to this aspect. As your opponents might need to allocate resources to deal with the Whale or the consequences of the attacking Pirate token, this can slow down their own development or force them to use valuable resources prematurely.
Instant Speed: While the Pursued Whale itself is not an instant, it has an ability that can impact the game at instant speed. As spells your opponents cast that target Pursued Whale cost more to cast, it can affect your opponent’s ability to respond on their turn, effectively giving you the upper hand to play your instant-speed interactions with more ease.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Pursued Whale doesn’t inherently require a discard, it’s inclusion in a deck might compel players to adopt strategies or support cards that necessitate discard, which can compromise hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Pursued Whale demands a specific mana distribution with two blue and five generic mana, potentially constraining deck flexibility by requiring a heavy blue mana base to cast it reliably.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven mana cost for a 8/8 body, Pursued Whale comes with substantial power. However, in formats where the pace is quick and efficiency is paramount, allocating seven mana for one creature may not always align with an optimized game strategy, especially when there are alternative creatures with lower mana costs and comparable impact.
Reasons to Include Pursued Whale in Your Collection
Versatility: Pursued Whale shines in blue-based control or midrange decks, providing both a substantial blocker and a way to disrupt your opponent’s board presence. It can be a game-changer in various situations thanks to its 8/8 body and unique abilities.
Combo Potential: With Pursued Whale entering the battlefield, you immediately give your opponent a 1/1 red Pirate creature token, which can be leveraged in decks that benefit from the opponent having specific creatures, enabling interesting interactions and potential combos.
Meta-Relevance: As the game’s landscape evolves and the prevalence of creature-based strategies grows, having Pursued Whale can help counter decks that rely heavily on ground forces, making it a relevant and tactical addition to your collection.
How to beat
Pursued Whale may seem daunting with its size and effects, but clever strategies can turn the tide. Offering opponents a 1/1 red Pirate creature with the ability to make spells you cast cost three more mana, the key lies in removing or utilizing this Pirate to your advantage. Spot removal or a board wipe can easily dispatch the whale’s effect. However, if you’re unable to get rid of the Whale directly, turning the Pirate’s downside into a boon with cards that benefit from sacrificing creatures could be a smart move.
Another strategy involves playing around the Whale’s ability by casting spells on your own terms. Since the cost increase applies only while you control the Pirate token, you could either wait to cast nonessential spells until you can deal with the token or focus on playing creatures and spells that aren’t affected by the cost increase. A savvy player can navigate these obstacles with careful planning and timely action. By prioritizing removal or alternative lines of play, the might of Pursued Whale becomes far less intimidating.
Ultimately, understanding and mitigating the hindrance of the additional mana cost associated with Pursued Whale will enable resourceful players to maintain control of the game, potentially leveraging the creature’s intimidating presence to their own strategic advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pursued Whale MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Core Set 2021, 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 Pursued Whale and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Pursued Whale Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Jonathan Kuo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 82024 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo | ||
| 2 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 60 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo | |
| 3 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 351 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo | |
| 4 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 732 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo | |
| 5 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 909 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pursued Whale has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pursued Whale card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-23 | If a creature affected by the Pirate token can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped or having come under that player's control that turn), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having it attack, the player isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either. |
| 2020-06-23 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases (such as that of Pursued Whale), then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was. |