Spinning Wheel MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2019-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Throne of Eldraine |
| Set code | ELD |
| Number | 234 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Aaron Miller |
Text of card
: Add one mana of any color. , : Tap target creature.
"Though long forgotten, the wheel continued to turn, spinning fate from a dusty attic." —*Beyond the Great Henge*
Cards like Spinning Wheel
Spinning Wheel is an intriguing artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering both mana acceleration and a means of control within the same card. Its contemporaries, namely Manalith and Firemind Vessel, also offer multi-colored mana acceleration. However, the Spinning Wheel is unique with its secondary ability to tap a target creature, which neither Manalith nor Firemind Vessel possess.
While Manalith is a simpler card that provides a straight forward single mana of any color for a lower cost, it does not impact the board state beyond mana production. The Firemind Vessel allows for two mana of different colors, but at a higher initial cost with no immediate board interaction. Comparatively, Spinning Wheel’s ability to tap an opponent’s potential attacker or blocker can change the course of the game, making it a multifaceted inclusion in many decks.
The dual utility provided by Spinning Wheel, immersion in mana flexibility, and potential combat control lends a strategic advantage in gameplay. While it may not be the most efficient mana producer, the value of its versatility can be seen when you’re aiming for both resource development and tactical board control in your MTG matches.
Cards similar to Spinning Wheel by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spinning Wheel provides a mechanism for card sorting with its scry ability, ensuring you’re more likely to draw into your vital spells or lands to maintain tempo against opponents.
Resource Acceleration: With its tap ability for mana production, Spinning Wheel can act as a mana rock, effectively accelerating your resources and enabling bigger plays earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: Its ability to tap a creature comes at instant speed, allowing strategic positioning to neutralize threats during an enemy’s attack or to clear a path for your assault.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging in the lore and mechanics of your deck, you might find the Spinning Wheel requires a trade-off. It necessitates that you forfeit another card from your hand to untap a creature, a move that could potentially thin out your hand more than you’d like, especially in a game where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The Spinning Wheel’s activation is locked behind a specific mana cost. Requiring three generic mana means that it might not be as accessible early-game or fit as seamlessly into a mana curve as some players would wish, reducing its overall flexibility in a variety of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its ability to tap a creature or untap another, the Spinning Wheel’s initial cost to cast can be seen as steep, making it an investment that might not pay off until later turns. There’s a balance to be struck, and some players might find more cost-efficient options to control the battlefield or manage their mana.
Reasons to Include Spinning Wheel in Your Collection
Versatility: Spinning Wheel is a dynamic addition to any deck that appreciates flexible mana sources and the ability to control the board. Its capacity to tap for any color of mana makes it a valuable asset in multi-colored decks, ensuring you’re never color-blocked.
Combo Potential: Beyond its mana-generating abilities, Spinning Wheel’s secondary function to tap any target creature creates opportunities for synergy with cards that capitalize on non-creature permanents or tap-and-untap dynamics.
Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving competitive scene, having Spinning Wheel can be advantageous. It can stymie aggressive creature strategies and help smooth out mana in decks that require a diverse color pool to execute their game plan effectively.
How to beat
When facing the Spinning Wheel in MTG, understanding its versatile utility is crucial. As an artifact with the capacity to tap creatures and produce mana, it’s a card that can pose real problems if left unchecked. The key to overcoming it is to target its utility. Artifact removal spells like Naturalize or Abrade allow players to dismantle the Spinning Wheel before its controller can gain too much advantage. Similarly, keeping up counter magic when you suspect your opponent is holding a Spinning Wheel can prevent it from ever hitting the board.
Another tactic is to apply pressure by maintaining a board presence that can consistently deal damage, regardless of having a tapped creature or not. This diminishes the Wheel’s defensive capabilities. Additionally, you can exploit when your opponent is tapped out or when the Wheel is their only line of defense to maximize your window for impactful plays. More than just destruction and pressure, knowing when to force an activation of the Spinning Wheel’s tap ability can also turn the tides, making it less available for your opponent to utilize when most advantageous for them.
Ultimately, playing proactively against the Spinning Wheel and having an answer in your deck or strategizing around its mechanics are effective ways to ensure it doesn’t hinder your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spinning Wheel MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Spinning Wheel 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spinning Wheel 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 |