Whirlwind MTG Card

Whirlwind excels at eliminating flying threats, gaining board control by disrupting opponent strategies. It indirectly preserves resources and is versatile due to its instant speed, influencing battle outcomes. However, the specific green mana cost and hand discard can limit its strategic applications in gameplay.

Urza's Saga (USG)
1998-10-12 - Number 283

Starter 1999 (S99)
1999-07-01 - Number 150

Commander 2014 (C14)
2014-11-07 - Number 224

Commander Anthology (CMA)
2017-06-09 - Number 167

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Destroy all creatures with flying.

Urza tried to rule the air, but Gaea taught him that she controlled all the elements.

Cards like Whirlwind

Whirlwind is a unique card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, belonging to the green spells that directly deal with flying threats. When looking for alternatives, one possible comparison is with Hurricane, another classic green spell that damages not only flying creatures but also each player. Whirlwind, with its concise effect of destroying all flying creatures, excels against decks heavily reliant on air superiority without further repercussions.

Another card echoing Whirlwind’s theme is Windstorm. This spell has a scalable effect, allowing players to decide the magnitude of damage dealt to flying creatures based on the mana they are willing to invest. It offers a versatility that Whirlwind lacks, albeit it doesn’t guarantee the removal of all flying creatures. There’s also the instant-speed card Squall Line, which poses a threat to both flying creatures and players, balancing its power with life point risks for the caster.

When comparing these options, Whirlwind finds its strategic niche in the MTG environment, particularly for its ability to selectively clear the skies, providing an absolute answer to decks that soar high, while maintaining a safe ground stance.

Cards similar to Whirlwind by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Whirlwind cements its value by offering players the unmistakable advantage of dismantling all flying threats that opponents control. Clearing the skies not only disrupts enemy strategies but also sets you up for a more dominating board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct accelerant, Whirlwind’s ability to protect your vital ground-based assets means that you are effectively safeguarding your investments on the battlefield. This can indirectly preserve the resources needed to execute your prevailing strategies without the fear of aerial interference.

Instant Speed: The strength of Whirlwind is significantly amplified by its instant speed feature. This crucial timing allows savvy players to wait until the opportune moment to cast, potentially turning the tide by thwarting opponent attacks or extravagantly orchestrated aerial combos during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Casting Whirlwind requires not just tapping mana but also forfeiting another card from your hand. This trade-off can backfire, especially if your hand is already running thin on options. It forces players to make tough decisions on resource management, sometimes parting with a card they’d prefer to keep for later use.

Specific Mana Cost: Whirlwind comes with a concrete mana cost that includes two green mana. This limited color specification can box players into green-centric or green-inclusive decks, potentially reducing the card’s versatility across the broader MTG meta where multicolor decks abound.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The four total mana needed to cast Whirlwind might be a steep price for the effect it offers. In the dynamic environment of MTG, where every turn counts, players are often looking for the lowest-cost spells with the highest impact. As such, there may be alternative cards that provide similar or even greater utility without the heavier mana investment that Whirlwind requires.

Reasons to Include Whirlwind in Your Collection

Versatility: Whirlwind is an adaptable card that can serve as a strong defensive mechanism in green decks that struggle against flying creatures. Its ability to destroy all fliers offers a tactical advantage in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: For decks that capitalize on creatures being sent to the graveyard, Whirlwind can be a key part of that strategy. It works exceptionally well with cards that benefit from, or trigger on, creature deaths.

Meta-Relevance: In metas dominated by decks with potent flying creatures, Whirlwind gains significant value. It serves as a powerful answer to these threats and could swing the game in your favor due to its unexpected utility.

How to beat

Whirlwind is a formidable green spell in MTG that provides a clear advantage against strategies heavily reliant on flying creatures. This instant card enables players to destroy all flying creatures, instantly leveling the playing field. Considering its strength, defeating a deck with Whirlwind requires tactical adjustments and foresight.

One effective strategy is to diversify your creature base beyond flyers. Ground-based creatures or those with reach are immune to Whirlwind’s sweeping effect. Additionally, employing counter spells can neutralize Whirlwind before it disrupts your board presence. Artifact and enchantment removal spells are also a safety valve, particularly if you can target cards like Emerald Medallion which could be accelerating your opponent’s game.

Understanding the tempo of your opponent’s play is crucial. If Whirlwind is a known component of their deck, be judicious with playing out your flying creatures. Sometimes, a conservative approach, building up resources or overwhelming with non-flying threats, is the key to outmaneuvering and ultimately defeating an opponent who relies on Whirlwind as a cornerstone of their defense or board control.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Whirlwind MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Starter 1999, 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 Whirlwind and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Whirlwind Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by John Matson.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-10-12	Urza's Saga	USG	283	1997	Normal	Black	John Matson
2	1999-07-01	Starter 1999	S99	150	1997	Normal	White	John Matson
3	2014-11-07	Commander 2014	C14	224	2015	Normal	Black	John Matson
4	2017-06-09	Commander Anthology	CMA	167	2015	Normal	Black	John Matson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Whirlwind has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal