Whiplash Trap MTG Card
2009-09-04 - Number 16
2009-10-02 - Number 77
2014-09-05 - Number 70
2019-11-07 - Number 546
2020-04-17 - Number 127
2020-09-26 - Number DDN-70
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant — Trap |
Text of card
If an opponent had two or more creatures enter the battlefield under his or her control this turn, you may pay rather than pay Whiplash Trap's mana cost. Return two target creatures to their owners' hands.
Cards like Whiplash Trap
Whiplash Trap stands out in the realm of bounce spells in Magic: The Gathering, offering the ability to return two creatures to their owner’s hand. It shares common ground with other bounce spells like Unsummon, which provides a cheaper option at just one mana but lacks the capability to target two creatures. Where Whiplash Trap shines is in its conditional free cast—if an opponent had two or more creatures enter the battlefield this turn—offering strategic flexibility in a busy board state.
Another comparable card, Evacuation, affects all creatures and can serve as a reset button during an opponent’s overwhelming assault. While Evacuation covers a wider area, it comes with a higher mana cost and is set at sorcery speed, unlike the instant utility of Whiplash Trap. Then we have Cyclonic Rift, esteemed for its overload ability that selectively clears opponents’ creatures and permanents, firmly establishing its high rank among bounce effects.
In assessing Whiplash Trap against its peers, the card’s potential for tactical play and cost-effective disruption positions it as a worthy competitor in bounce spell selections within Magic: The Gathering, especially for players who revel in timing and board control.
Cards similar to Whiplash Trap by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Whiplash Trap provides a strategic edge by returning two creatures to their owner’s hand. This interrupts opponent’s plans and can swing the momentum in your favor, offering a tactical advantage on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: The alternate casting cost mechanic of Whiplash Trap can be a game-changer. If an opponent had two or more creatures enter the battlefield under their control this turn, you may pay {U} rather than pay Whiplash Trap’s mana cost. This can lead to significant resource savings, allowing you to deploy additional threats or hold up mana for other responses.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Whiplash Trap at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s attacks or end-of-turn plays. It keeps them guessing and makes your strategy less predictable, potentially saving you from a lethal assault or countering a major play at the last possible moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Whiplash Trap does not have a discard requirement, it requires two creatures on the board to have entered under an opponent’s control this turn to utilize its alternative casting cost. This can be restrictive and situational, potentially leaving the card stranded in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Although Whiplash Trap can be a powerful surprise with its alternate low-cost condition, its regular casting cost demands two blue mana. This can be tricky in multicolored decks that may struggle to produce the right mana at a critical moment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: If you’re unable to meet the conditions for its alternative cost, Whiplash Trap’s standard mana cost is a steep five mana. There are other bounce spells in the game with lower costs that can provide similar benefits without relying on an opponent’s actions.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Whiplash Trap offers dynamic responses to aggressive opponents. It’s not just a blue deck’s go-to; it’s a valuable addition to any deck that requires a way to reset the battlefield or avoid overwhelming attacks.
Combo Potential: This card shines in situations that allow you to exploit its alternate casting cost. Combined with cards that return permanents to your hand or bounce creatures on summon, Whiplash Trap enhances strategies that rely on casting numerous spells in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: With a surge in creature-based decks or those that flood the board with tokens, having a card like Whiplash Trap in your arsenal ensures you’re prepared to disrupt your opponent’s board state and turn the tide of the game.
How to beat
Whiplash Trap presents a unique challenge as a reactionary card that can bounce two creatures to a player’s hand at an often drastically reduced cost if its conditions are met. To overcome this, timing and strategic play are key. Foreseeing when your opponent might have the trap set can turn the tide of the game. Avoid overextending by playing too many creatures when your opponent has four or more cards in hand and untapped lands during your turn.
Implementing non-creature strategies can also diminish the impact of Whiplash Trap. Using creatureless control or combo decks can effectively neutralize Whiplash Trap’s relevance in the game. Meanwhile, cards that grant your creatures hexproof or counter spells can serve as a direct answer to prevent Whiplash Trap from derailing your battlefield presence. Finally, maintaining a diverse range of threats can ensure that bouncing one or two creatures to your hand won’t leave you vulnerable and allow you to maintain momentum in your favor.
Overall, beating Whiplash Trap involves a blend of strategic deployment of threats and safeguarding against potential set-backs with either alternative strategies or protective spells to shield your creatures from being sent back to your hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Whiplash Trap MTG card by a specific set like Planechase and Zendikar, 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 Whiplash Trap 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
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Printings
The Whiplash Trap Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2009-09-04 and 2020-04-17. Illustrated by 7 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 2 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 77 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 3 | 2014-09-05 | Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning | DDN | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 546 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 5 | 2020-04-17 | Commander 2020 | C20 | 127 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 6 | The List | PLST | DDN-70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Whiplash Trap has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Whiplash Trap card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Casting a Trap by paying its alternative cost doesn’t change its mana cost or mana value. The only difference is the cost you actually pay. |
| 2009-10-01 | Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay. |
| 2009-10-01 | You can target any two creatures, not just ones that entered the battlefield this turn. |
| 2009-10-01 | You may ignore a Trap’s alternative cost condition and simply cast it for its normal mana cost. This is true even if its alternative cost condition has been met. |
| 2009-10-01 | You must target two creatures as you cast Whiplash Trap. If you can’t (because just one creature is on the battlefield, perhaps), you can’t cast the spell. |