Whip Vine MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 103a
1996-06-10 - Number 103b
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Plant Wall |
| Abilities | Defender,Reach |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Can block creatures with flying. You may choose not to untap Whip Vine during your untap phase. oc T: Tap target creature with flying blocked by Whip Vine. That creature does not untap during its controller's untap phase as long as Whip Vine remains tapped.
Cards like Whip Vine
The Magic: The Gathering landscape is teeming with unique creatures, and Whip Vine is no exception. This card is often compared to the likes of Wall of Vines for its similar defensive capabilities. Both serve as excellent blockers, but Whip Vine provides the added flexibility of being able to untap itself when it blocks a creature with flying, offering strategic advantages on the battlefield.
Looming Altisaur, another creature known for its defensive stature, shares the same mana value as Whip Vine but lacks the reach or the untap ability. This makes Whip Vine a more versatile choice in certain deck builds. Conversely, Canopy Spider, while smaller, brings reach to the table at a lower cost and can be a more early-game defensive play versus flying creatures.
Analyzing these comparisons, Whip Vine holds a distinctive position among defenders and reach-enabled creatures. Its special untap feature not only provides defense against aerial assaults but also keeps the card ready for consecutive blocks, a trait that is fairly uncommon and valuable in MTG’s multifaceted matches.
Cards similar to Whip Vine by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Whip Vine provides the ability to potentially neutralize multiple threats without losing card equity, as it can block any number of creatures each turn. This can tilt the battlefield in your favor over time, leading to a formidable defense that helps preserve your hand while taxing your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: As a creature card that can serve as a reliable defender, Whip Vine can help maintain your life total while you build up your mana base and deploy more impactful spells. This stalling can be especially crucial for decks that focus on ramping up to large game-winning threats.
Instant Speed: While Whip Vine itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its reach and the capability to block multiple creatures can surprise opponents who might not factor in its defensive flexibility during their attack phase. This allows you to react effectively to developing threats on the fly, providing a tactical advantage during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To unleash its potential, Whip Vine necessitates tossing a card from your hand into the graveyard. This trade-off can hinder your game plan, especially if your hand is already stretched thin and you’re clinging to key pieces for later plays.
Specific Mana Cost: Whip Vine’s casting cost demands specific mana, which could pose a challenge in multicolored decks. Its reliance on a precise combination of mana types means players must carefully manage their resources or risk being unable to cast it when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher end for its abilities, Whip Vine may not always represent the best value for your mana investment. In a game where tempo and efficiency are crucial, allocating a large chunk of your mana to cast it can sometimes set you back, particularly if there are alternative creatures or spells that could accomplish more for the same or lower cost.
Reasons to Include Whip Vine in Your Collection
Versatility: Whip Vine offers a flexible role in decks emphasizing control or those needing to shore up defenses. Its ability to tangle with flying creatures gives it a unique niche, making it adaptable to various game scenarios.
Combo Potential: The card’s reach and “must be blocked by an untapped creature” feature can be exploited in combinations to manipulate or exhaust opponents’ board states, which can be especially effective in decks revolving around combat tricks or tapping abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where airborne threats are prevalent, Whip Vine can serve as a deterrent. It stands as a situational sideboard card that could swing games by locking down more formidable fliers, adding strategic depth to your collection.
How to beat Whip Vine
Whip Vine is a unique creature in the vast array of Magic: The Gathering cards, with abilities that can be tricky for unprepared players. Functionally, it operates as both a defender and an obstacle, with the capability to block creatures attacking from the air—a potent ability for green decks that typically lack flying defenders. This puts it in a niche spot similar to Spider creatures with Reach, which can also engage flying threats.
To overcome the hurdle of Whip Vine, focus on removal spells that bypass combat, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, as they successfully eliminate the creature without engaging in battle. Additionally, spells granting Trample to your attacking creatures can be instrumental in dealing damage whether Whip Vine is on the battlefield or not. Engaging in combat with creatures that have inherently higher power and toughness can also render the Vine’s blocking capabilities ineffective. Enchantment-based removals, such as Oblivion Ring or Cast Out, provide another avenue of neutralizing Whip Vine’s influence on the game by exiling it or neutralizing its abilities.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the card, strategies to mitigate its impact become clear, allowing savvy MTG players to maintain the momentum and advance their board position despite the presence of this thorny adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Whip Vine MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Whip Vine 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
Printings
The Whip Vine Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 1996-06-10. Illustrated by Allen Williams.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Whip Vine has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |