Whirlpool Drake MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Drake |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2001-06-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Apocalypse |
| Set code | APC |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 34 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alan Pollack |
Text of card
Flying When Whirlpool Drake comes into play, shuffle the cards from your hand into your library, then draw that many cards. When Whirlpool Drake is put into a graveyard from play, shuffle the cards from your hand into your library, then draw that many cards.
Cards like Whirlpool Drake
Whirlpool Drake offers a unique twist to the world of flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Standing alongside the likes of Wind Drake, both creatures feature flying, but Whirlpool Drake brings an additional effect upon entering or leaving the battlefield – it shuffles your hand into your library and then draws the same number of cards. This cycling ability provides a refresh of your hand, a tactic not present in Wind Drake’s straightforward approach.
Much like Whirlpool Drake, Dream Eater also manipulates players’ hands but with the added bonus of surveil, granting the ability to filter through the top cards of the library. Although it commands a higher mana cost than Whirlpool Drake, it compensates with a larger body and an immediate impact on the board state with its bounce effect. On the other hand, creatures like Aven Wind Mage offer a simpler strategy with prowess, boosting its power whenever a noncreature spell is cast, a different pathway to leveraging spells within the game.
Ultimately, Whirlpool Drake carves out its niche amongst other blue creatures by combining evasion with a unique form of card advantage, making it a card worth considering for players looking to capitalize on hand refreshment and board presence in their Magic: The Gathering matches.
Cards similar to Whirlpool Drake by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Upon entering the battlefield or leaving it, Whirlpool Drake lets you shuffle your hand into your library and draw that many cards, potentially refreshing your options and maintaining a strong hand.
Resource Acceleration: By swapping cards in hand with new draws, Whirlpool Drake can indirectly accelerate your resources. This move can help you find more lands or mana-producing cards, thus speeding up gameplay or enabling bigger plays sooner.
Instant Speed: Although Whirlpool Drake itself isn’t an instant, the ability to trigger its effect at the end of an opponent’s turn by using instant-speed removal or sacrificing mechanisms can give you the upper hand. This can lead to a surprise card advantage that can be used at critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Whirlpool Drake’s ability comes with the caveat of needing to discard your hand before you can draw. This can lead to a net loss of options especially if your hand is already substantial, reducing your strategic flexibility.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost to get Whirlpool Drake on the battlefield includes both blue and generic mana. This specificity necessitates a deck tailored around blue mana sources, potentially limiting its incorporation into multicolor decks or those with a tight mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four-mana investment to reap the card’s full benefits, it’s important to weigh its cost against your other options. This can seem quite steep, particularly when alternative cards could provide more immediate or cost-effective board presence or card advantage.
Reasons to Include Whirlpool Drake in Your Collection
Versatility: Whirlpool Drake is a valuable addition to any deck looking to capitalize on drawing and recycling cards. Its flying ability allows it to serve as both an offensive and defensive asset in the air.
Combo Potential: Its enter-the-battlefield effect, paired with its dying trigger, makes it a potential engine in decks that leverage card draw for advantage or that benefit from creatures entering and leaving the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where the current trends favor constant hand refilling and graveyard strategies, Whirlpool Drake can play a significant role. It provides a continuous flow of cards that can keep you ahead of the competition.
How to beat
Whirlpool Drake adds a twist to the dynamics of card advantage in Magic: The Gathering. This creature presents a unique challenge with its “enter the battlefield” and “leaves the battlefield” effects, which cause players to shuffle their hand into their library and draw that many cards. Unlike cards that only draw upon entering, Whirlpool Drake affects the game again upon exit, demanding strategic contingencies to mitigate its impact.
Countering Whirlpool Drake effectively requires a mix of removal and timing. Cards such as Essence Scatter can prevent the Drake from hitting the board in the first place, nipping the problem in the bud. Once it’s in play, instant removal spells that can be used in response to its death trigger, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, ensure your opponent doesn’t reap the benefits of a new hand. Additionally, graveyard disruption like Rest in Peace dampens the Drake’s potency by preventing the reshuffle into the library upon death. It’s critical to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate your opponent’s moves to maintain control of the game.
With careful planning and the right countermeasures, Whirlpool Drake’s influence can be contained, preserving your own strategy while destabilizing your opponent’s. Maintaining board control and choosing the right moment to act are key in ensuring that the tides of the game don’t turn against you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Whirlpool Drake MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse, 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 Whirlpool Drake 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Whirlpool Drake has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |