Whelming Wave MTG Card


Whelming Wave offers substantial card advantage and potential board control when timed effectively. Flexes strategic muscle in blue or blue-centric decks, despite its strict mana and higher cost. Essential for players aiming to counter creature-heavy strategies and regain tempo.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Return all creatures to their owners' hands except for Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and Serpents.

"I can see why this appeals to Thassa." —Kiora


Cards like Whelming Wave

Whelming Wave holds a distinct position in the arena of sorcery spells that manipulate the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. When evaluated alongside Devastation Tide, another spell that returns nonland permanents to players’ hands, Whelming Wave shines for its specificity, affecting only creatures that are not Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, or Serpents. Devastation Tide, while resetting the board more broadly, can also disrupt your own noncreature permanents.

Examining Engulf the Shore reveals interesting parallels and differences. Although Engulf the Shore has the potential to bounce a wide range of creatures, its effectiveness is tied to the number of Islands you control and can be variable. In contrast, Whelming Wave has a consistent impact regardless of land type composition. Then there’s the card Rivers Rebuke, a heavier hitter in the mana spectrum that banishes all nonland permanents of a single opponent, an asymmetric reset that can target potentially unassailable boards.

Ultimately, Whelming Wave carves out its niche within MTG as a powerful stabilizer specifically in sea creature-themed decks, offering a wave of relief that gives players the upper hand while sending a tide of adversaries back to their owners’ hands.

Devastation Tide - MTG Card versions
Engulf the Shore - MTG Card versions
Devastation Tide - MTG Card versions
Engulf the Shore - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Whelming Wave by color, type and mana cost

Juxtapose - MTG Card versions
Baki's Curse - MTG Card versions
Touch of Brilliance - MTG Card versions
Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Diminishing Returns - MTG Card versions
Counterintelligence - MTG Card versions
Ransack - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Scrying - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions
Dematerialize - MTG Card versions
Deep Analysis - MTG Card versions
Tempted by the Oriq - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions
Consuming Tide - MTG Card versions
Airborne Aid - MTG Card versions
Peer Pressure - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Mouth to Mouth - MTG Card versions
Sift - MTG Card versions
Distant Melody - MTG Card versions
Juxtapose - MTG Card versions
Baki's Curse - MTG Card versions
Touch of Brilliance - MTG Card versions
Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Diminishing Returns - MTG Card versions
Counterintelligence - MTG Card versions
Ransack - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Scrying - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions
Dematerialize - MTG Card versions
Deep Analysis - MTG Card versions
Tempted by the Oriq - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions
Consuming Tide - MTG Card versions
Airborne Aid - MTG Card versions
Peer Pressure - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Mouth to Mouth - MTG Card versions
Sift - MTG Card versions
Distant Melody - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Whelming Wave shines in scenarios that require resetting the battlefield. By returning all creatures except for Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and Serpents to their owners’ hands, you effectively diminish your opponent’s board presence while potentially preserving your own sea monster-themed strategy. This can translate into a massive swing in card advantage, especially if you’ve built your deck around these creature types.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly a resource acceleration card, Whelming Wave can indirectly accelerate your resources by giving you a clean slate. After a well-timed wave, the subsequent turn can allow you to deploy threats unopposed or re-develop your board much faster than opponents who are now busy recasting their creatures.

Instant Speed: While Whelming Wave operates at sorcery speed, the strategic timing of this card is paramount. Casting it during your main phase when your opponent least expects it can act like an instant in terms of surprise factor. Clearing the board right before your attack phase can leave your opponents vulnerable to an unimpeded offense on the very same turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Whelming Wave doesn’t require a card to be discarded, it can force you to make difficult decisions. Returning creatures to hand means you could end up discarding if your hand is full.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for two blue mana in its cost restricts Whelming Wave’s compatibility, primarily fitting into blue or blue-heavy multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, including two specific blue mana, Whelming Wave can be relatively expensive compared to other board wipes or creature control spells in the game.


Reasons to Include Whelming Wave in Your Collection

Versatility: Whelming Wave serves as a powerful tool in blue-based control or midrange decks. Its ability to return all creatures except for Leviathans, Krakens, Serpents, and Octopuses to their owners’ hands makes it an exceptional board wipe against most creature strategies.

Combo Potential: When combined with creatures that it doesn’t affect or those with beneficial enter-the-battlefield triggers, Whelming Wave can become a core part of a potent board control tactic, allowing for repeated use and maximizing strategic plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta inundated with aggro strategies and creature-heavy decks, Whelming Wave has the capacity to reset the board and give you a significant tempo advantage. This sweep effect can turn the tides, essentially providing a fresh start amidst a cluttered battlefield.


How to beat Whelming Wave

Whelming Wave presents a unique challenge on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. This formidable sorcery has the power to return all creatures except for Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and Serpents back to their owners’ hands. Navigating around this wave requires strategic foresight and deck planning.

To effectively counter Whelming Wave, players may opt to incorporate creatures that fit the exemption criteria, allowing their board presence to remain unaffected post-surge. Another strategy involves employing instant-speed spells that can save key creatures from the impending tidal return or spells that can counteract Whelming Wave altogether. Creature abilities that grant indestructibility or protection from blue may also prove invaluable, as they make them impervious to the spell’s effects. Additionally, cards that rapidly repopulate the board post-wave or those that convert this temporary setback into an advantage, such as through card draw or mana ramp, can swing the game back in a player’s favor.

Ultimately, a careful blend of resilience, adaptability, and spellcraft can turn the tide against Whelming Wave, allowing players to maintain control of the game even in the face of such overwhelming force.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you delve into the depths of MTG strategy, consider the ebb and flow that Whelming Wave can bring to your deck. This card’s potential to clear the board and reset the game’s pace makes it more than just a spell—it’s a powerful game-changer, particularly for those who command the might of sea monsters. Whether you’re up against aggressive creatures or need to recover from an opponent’s swarm, this wave can help you reclaim the battlefield. Dive deeper into your MTG journey, learn how to incorporate Whelming Wave to its fullest potential, and discover other cards that synergize for ultimate deck dominance. Navigate to our platform and master the ways of the wave for an unparalleled advantage in your next clash.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Whelming Wave MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods and Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora, 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 Whelming Wave and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Whelming Wave Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-02-07Born of the GodsBNG 572003NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
22015-02-27Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. KioraDDO 442015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5452015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
42020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1932015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
52020-09-26The ListPLST DDO-442015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
62020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 4092015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Whelming Wave has restrictions

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