Whirling Dervish MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 16 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Monk
Abilities Protection
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. The card excels in green decks, featuring built-in protections and aggressive traits that scale with game progress.
  2. Despite the advantage, its two green mana cost may pose a challenge in deck construction and early play.
  3. Its growth and protection make it a high-value card in metas dominated by black strategies and removal.

Text of card

Protection from black Gains +1/+1 (use counters) at the end of each turn in which it does damage to opponent.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the ability to become unblockable against players using black, Whirling Dervish can effectively ensure consistent damage, translating to an advantage on the board. Not only does it chip away at an opponent’s life total, but it also pressures opponents to find a non-black solution, potentially depleting their resources in the process.

Resource Acceleration: Whirling Dervish holds its own as an efficient creature card in terms of cost to power and toughness ratio. Additionally, each successful attack not only inflicts damage but also adds a +1/+1 counter at the end of the turn if it dealt damage to an opponent. This natural growth mechanism can lead to a quickly escalating threat that accelerates your resource advantage in the form of an increasingly powerful creature.

Instant Speed: While Whirling Dervish itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability to grow at the end of each turn without additional mana investment allows players to keep mana open for other instant-speed interactions. This can make the dervish a strategic part of a deck that values the flexibility to react during the opponent’s turn, while still developing a formidable presence on the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Whirling Dervish’s utility isn’t diminished by a discard requirement, keeping your hand intact while it’s on the field.

Specific Mana Cost: For those wanting to incorporate Whirling Dervish into their deck, the green mana cost can be restrictive, limiting play to mostly green or multicolored decks that can accommodate green mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not overly expensive, the two green mana investment for Whirling Dervish can be a hurdle in the early game, especially when other one or two mana creatures may offer immediate board presence or utility.


Reasons to Include Whirling Dervish in Your Collection

Versatility: Whirling Dervish is a dynamic card that thrives in green decks craving aggressive creatures with built-in protections. Its ability to gain +1/+1 counters each turn it damages an opponent ensures it’s consistently scaling as a threat.

Combo Potential: This card complements strategies revolving around +1/+1 counters. Additionally, its protection from black makes it a formidable inclusion in match-ups against decks heavy on black removal and creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where black strategies are prevalent, Whirling Dervish serves as a resilient attacker that bypasses common black removal spells and can steadily grow outside of harm’s way, making it an essential pick for adapting to such metas.


How to beat

Whirling Dervish is a notable card in Magic: The Gathering, bringing a blend of offense and defense to the table. Known for its protection from black and steadily increasing power, it can be a real thorn in your opponent’s side. But as with any card, there are strategies to get the upper hand.

Firstly, remember that protection from black means it’s immune to black spells and abilities, so looking to other colors for removal is key. Cards with global effects, like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict, can clear the board without targeting and bypass protection. Similarly, red spells that deal damage to all creatures, like Pyroclasm or Slagstorm, can sweep away a Whirling Dervish before it grows too powerful.

Another tactic is utilizing blue’s bounce effects. Temporarily removing Whirling Dervish from play with a Cyclonic Rift or Unsummon can give you the breathing space needed to mount a counterattack or set up your defenses without the Dervish bearing down on you.

Ultimately, overcoming a Whirling Dervish requires a mix of timely removal and careful gameplay. With the right approach, this spiraling adversary can be swiftly dealt with, maintaining control of the game.


Cards like Whirling Dervish

Whirling Dervish stands out in the roster of green creatures within Magic: The Gathering for its combination of abilities. Much like its contemporary, Savannah Lions, Whirling Dervish boasts a respectable power and toughness for its low mana cost. However, unlike Savannah Lions, Whirling Dervish touts not just efficiency in combat, but also protection from black, giving it a distinct edge in specific matchups.

Another card with similarities is the iconic Tarmogoyf, which offers a dynamic power and toughness based on card types in all graveyards. While Tarmogoyf can potentially grow larger than Whirling Dervish, it lacks the latter’s ability to automatically gain counters each turn through its protection and the aptly named ‘protection from black’ – a troublesome trait for any opponent heavily reliant on black spells.

Lastly, Scavenging Ooze enters the comparison as a utility creature that also grows by interacting with graveyards. Although Ooze provides life gain and graveyard disruption, Whirling Dervish’s protection and consistent growth during your upkeep means it excels at steady board presence. Considering these traits, Whirling Dervish is a quintessential choice for players seeking an aggressive creature that continues to strengthen against black-oriented decks.

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Tarmogoyf - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Tarmogoyf - Future Sight (FUT)
Scavenging Ooze - Commander 2011 (CMD)

Cards similar to Whirling Dervish by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Stonewood Invoker - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - Arabian Nights (ARN)
River Boa - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Albino Troll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Silverglade Pathfinder - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Priest of Titania - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Quirion Elves - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
Blurred Mongoose - Invasion (INV)
Grizzly Bears - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Llanowar Loamspeaker - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Genesis Hydra - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Scavenging Ooze - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Heir of the Wilds - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wren's Run Vanquisher - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Muscle Sliver - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Utopia Tree - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bloodline Shaman - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sakura-Tribe Elder - Junior APAC Series (PJAS)
Stonewood Invoker - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Whirling Dervish MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth Edition, 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 Whirling Dervish and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Whirling Dervish Magic the Gathering card was released in 15 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 2111993normalblackSusan Van Camp
21995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2881993normalwhiteSusan Van Camp
31995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2881993normalblackSusan Van Camp
41995-08-01RenaissanceREN 1671993normalblackSusan Van Camp
51996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC bl288sb1993normalgoldSusan Van Camp
61996-07-01Rivals Quick Start SetRQS 451993normalwhiteSusan Van Camp
71996-12-31Introductory Two-Player SetITP 461993normalwhiteSusan Van Camp
81997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3411997normalwhiteSusan Van Camp
91997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 sg341sb1997normalgoldSusan Van Camp
101997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 sg3411997normalgoldSusan Van Camp
111999-12-01Junior Super SeriesPSUS 152003normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli
122002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 350562003normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli
132003-01-01Japan Junior TournamentPJJT 2N072003normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli
142005-01-01Junior Series EuropePJSE 2E072003normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli
152006-01-01Junior APAC SeriesPJAS 2U072003normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli
162006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 901997normalblackSusan Van Camp

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Whirling Dervish has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-03-19 If Whirling Dervish dealt damage to an opponent who later left the game before that turn’s end step, its ability still gives it a +1/+1 counter.
2021-03-19 Whirling Dervish’s triggered ability checks to see if it dealt damage during the turn to an opponent of its current controller. If it dealt damage to player A, then player A takes control of it, the ability doesn’t trigger.
2021-03-19 Whirling Dervish’s triggered ability gives it at most one +1/+1 counter each turn, regardless of how many opponents were dealt damage beyond the first.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks