Whisper of the Dross MTG Card


Enhances card draw and mana acceleration, giving players a clear advantage in resource management. Instant speed action allows for dynamic play and greater control over the game’s tempo. Demands careful play due to the discard requirement and specific mana costs involved.
Whisper of the Dross - Phyrexia: All Will Be One
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Proliferate
Released2023-02-03
Set symbol
Set namePhyrexia: All Will Be One
Set codeONE
Number117
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byEli Minaya

Text of card

Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. Proliferate. (Choose any number of permanents and/or players, then give each another counter of each kind already there.)

"Live or die, you serve the Steel Thanes now."


Cards like Whisper of the Dross

Whisper of the Dross introduces a nuanced layer to lifegain and control strategies in Magic: The Gathering. In the realm of incremental life advantage mechanics, it can be seen shadowing the footsteps of cards like Ill-Gotten Inheritance. This card also siphons life from opponents, albeit with an activated ability rather than Whisper of the Dross’s consistent end-step trigger. Both are enchantments, but Whisper of the Dross offers a steadier, though potentially lower, life exchange.

Another parallel can be drawn with Retreat to Hagra, which not only provides life-drain but also grants landfall — each land drop can potentially translate into life lost for the opponent or life gained for the player. Whisper of the Dross doesn’t boast the versatility of landfall but compensates with its relentless end-step effect.

Examining these card interactions within the context of game strategy, Whisper of the Dross holds its own as a particularly persistent nuisance in MTG, eroding opponents’ life totals while padding your own each turn. Its subtle but steady impact makes it a card to consider in decks designed toward attrition and endurance.

Ill-Gotten Inheritance - MTG Card versions
Retreat to Hagra - MTG Card versions
Ill-Gotten Inheritance - MTG Card versions
Retreat to Hagra - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Whisper of the Dross by color, type and mana cost

Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
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Songs of the Damned - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
Defile - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Surgical Extraction - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions
Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
Touch of Darkness - MTG Card versions
Marsh Gas - MTG Card versions
Deathlace - MTG Card versions
Gravebind - MTG Card versions
Songs of the Damned - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
Defile - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Surgical Extraction - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Whisper of the Dross. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Dimir PoisonDimir Poison Free formStandard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024
WBWB StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024
WUBWUB PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-01-07
UBUB PauperPauper Challenge 64 2023-12-17
Dimir ControlDimir Control PauperStandard Pauper

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Whisper of the Dross shines when it comes to replenishing your hand, offering you the chance to replace it with fresh options from your deck. This can be a game-changer in tight situations where maintaining a good hand size is crucial to your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: With the ability to boost your mana reserves, this card can significantly speed up your gameplay, allowing you to deploy heavier threats earlier than usual. It’s a standout in decks that aim to outpace opponents through quick development.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of acting at instant speed cannot be overstated. It grants you the liberty to adapt to the unfolding game, whether that’s responding to an opponent’s move or simply using your mana efficiently at the end of their turn. Whisper of the Dross ensures that you remain reactive and in control of the pace.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One drawback of Whisper of the Dross is that it demands you to discard a card, which might deplete your hand at critical moments, possibly giving your opponent an edge if you’re running out of options.

Specific Mana Cost: Playing this card requires a specific mana alignment, which can be a hurdle in multicolored decks that might not always have the necessary mana readily available, thereby reducing the card’s versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering its mana cost, Whisper of the Dross may not be as cost-effective as other options in your arsenal. Its higher mana requirement might slow you down, especially in games where speed and efficiency are key to outmaneuvering your opponent.


Reasons to Include Whisper of the Dross in Your Collection

Versatility: Whisper of the Dross is a unique card that can seamlessly integrate into various deck builds, particularly those requiring specific mana types or benefiting from graveyard interaction.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to potentially recur itself provides excellent synergy with strategies that capitalize on casting or sacrificing artifacts, enhancing long-term play durability.

Meta-Relevance: With a gameplay that often values resilience and resources, Whisper of the Dross can hold its ground, especially in matches where incremental advantage and efficient mana usage are critical to victory.


How to beat Whisper of the Dross

Whisper of the Dross is a unique card in MTG that can pose a significant challenge to opponents. Its ability to disrupt strategies by forcing card sacrifices makes it a formidable card to face. To effectively overcome this card, players need to craft a strategy that emphasizes resilience and resourcefulness. One approach to countering Whisper of the Dross is by utilizing cards that can either replace or recycle the resources it aims to deplete. Cards with graveyard retrieval capabilities allow players to reclaim what was lost, diluting the impact of Whisper of the Dross.

Another tactic involves playing cards that generate token creatures. These tokens can serve as sacrificial fodder to satisfy the demands of Whisper of the Dross without depleting valuable cards from your hand or board. Additionally, cards designed to grant hexproof to your other cards or make them indestructible for turns can blunt the disruptive power of Whisper of the Dross, keeping your game plan intact. By foreseeing the challenges posed by Whisper of the Dross and adapting your deck to include answers to its threats, you enhance your resilience against such disruptive forces in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG takes more than just understanding individual cards; it’s about how you weave them into a formidable tapestry of strategy. Whisper of the Dross, with its unique perks and hurdles, illustrates the finesse required in deck building. Enhancing your mana flow and replenishing your hand are key tactics, but they must be executed with care to avoid self-sabotage. Expand your horizons with us and discover how cards like Whisper of the Dross can shift the tides of battle. For insights into crafting a winning strategy and integrating such cards into your repertoire, let BurnMana guide you to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Whisper of the Dross MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Whisper of the Dross and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Whisper of the Dross has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Whisper of the Dross card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-02-04 An ability that triggers "Whenever you proliferate" triggers even if you chose no permanents or players while doing so.
2023-02-04 If a permanent ever has both +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters on it at the same time, they're removed in pairs as a state-based action so that the permanent has only one of those kinds of counters on it.
2023-02-04 If a player or permanent has more than one kind of counter on it, and you choose for it to get additional counters, it must get one of each kind of counter it already has. You can't have it get just one kind of counter it already has and not the others.
2023-02-04 Players can respond to a spell or ability whose effect includes proliferating. Once that spell or ability starts to resolve, however, and its controller chooses which permanents and players will get new counters, it's too late for anyone to respond.
2023-02-04 To proliferate, you can choose any permanent that has a counter, including ones controlled by opponents. You can choose any player who has a counter, including opponents. You can't choose cards in any zone other than the battlefield, even if they have counters on them.
2023-02-04 You don't have to choose every permanent or player that has a counter, only the ones you want to add another counter to. Since "any number" includes zero, you don't have to choose any permanents at all, and you don't have to choose any players at all.