Waterwhirl MTG Card


Disrupts opponent’s tempo and board presence, turning the tide with its instant-speed, double creature return ability. Strategically replenishes creature effects but demands careful deck construction due to specific mana requirements. Versatile in various blue-centric decks, Waterwhirl’s meta-relevancy makes it a potential game-changer against creature-heavy strategies.
Waterwhirl - Khans of Tarkir
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2014-09-26
Set symbol
Set nameKhans of Tarkir
Set codeKTK
Number60
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byClint Cearley

Text of card

Return up to two target creatures to their owners' hands.

"Be as water: untamed and unheld, yet inexorably flowing toward a greater goal." —Shensu, Riverwheel mystic


Cards like Waterwhirl

Waterwhirl is an interesting control spell in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal. When we look at its functionality, it bears resemblance to spells such as Disperse and Unsummon, which also provide the ability to return creatures to their owner’s hand. However, Waterwhirl sets itself apart by giving you the ability to target two creatures instead of one. Unsummon and Disperse are limited to affecting a single creature, but they also cost less mana to play.

Another card to consider is Griptide, which puts a creature on top of its owner’s library instead of into their hand. While it has a similar tempo disruption effect to Waterwhirl, the depth of setback to the opponent might be deeper with Griptide, considering the loss of a draw for the opponent. Conversely, Waterwhirl, with its instant speed, can dynamically change the state of the game by potentially clearing blockers or attackers during the combat phase.

When assessing the impact of various bounce spells in a game of Magic: The Gathering, Waterwhirl presents as a strategic choice for those looking to affect multiple targets at once, setting itself apart in multiplayer scenarios where controlling multiple threats at instant speed can be game-changing.

Disperse - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Griptide - MTG Card versions
Disperse - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Griptide - MTG Card versions

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Opportunity - MTG Card versions
Spelljack - MTG Card versions
Sublime Epiphany - MTG Card versions
Supplant Form - MTG Card versions
True Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Into Thin Air - MTG Card versions
Reweave - MTG Card versions
Time Stop - MTG Card versions
Overwhelming Intellect - MTG Card versions
Gather Specimens - MTG Card versions
Counterlash - MTG Card versions
Chronostutter - MTG Card versions
Will of the Naga - MTG Card versions
Mirror Match - MTG Card versions
Aethersnatch - MTG Card versions
Synthetic Destiny - MTG Card versions
Scour the Laboratory - MTG Card versions
Prying Eyes - MTG Card versions
Commence the Endgame - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Waterwhirl provides a unique tactical benefit by returning not one, but two target creatures to their owner’s hands. This double bounce effect can significantly disrupt your opponent’s board presence and tempo, creating a valuable shift in card advantage for the controlling player.

Resource Acceleration: While Waterwhirl itself does not directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense of generating mana or tokens, it indirectly contributes by allowing you to reuse your own creatures with valuable enters-the-battlefield effects, effectively providing another chance to exploit those abilities for gain.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Waterwhirl at instant speed grants you the flexibility to wait until the most opportune moment. You can remove blockers during the combat phase, interrupt combinations, or protect your key creatures from removal spells. The timing of this spell can be pivotal, turning the tide of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Carrying out Waterwhirl’s full potential necessitates having cards in hand to discard, which can set you back if you’re already dealing with a limited hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Waterwhirl’s mana cost demands two blue mana symbols, possibly constraining its integration into multi-colored decks that can struggle with producing the necessary blue mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for its temporary control effect, players may find Waterwhirl a bit too pricey compared to other instant-speed options that either permanently remove threats or cost less.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Waterwhirl is a flexible card that can serve multiple roles within various blue-centered decks. It provides the tactical advantage of removing multiple creatures from the board, making it a great fit for tempo or control strategies.

Combo Potential: By returning creatures to their owner’s hand, Waterwhirl can help to reset or reuse creatures with valuable enter-the-battlefield effects, opening up synergistic possibilities within decks that capitalize on such mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Particularly effective in a competitive environment where creature-based strategies are dominant, Waterwhirl can disrupt your opponent’s board presence and give you a significant tempo boost, keeping you a step ahead in the game.


How to beat

Waterwhirl is a tactical instant spell that can briefly clear the battlefield of opponent’s threats in Magic: The Gathering. This card allows a player to return up to two target creatures to their owner’s hand, delaying the opponent’s strategy and gaining valuable time. To outplay Waterwhirl, the key is maintaining card advantage and board presence. Ensuring your creatures have low casting costs can mitigate the tempo loss when they’re bounced back to your hand.

Consider leveraging creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects to gain value even when they are returned. Another strategy is to deploy instant-speed spells that can be played on your opponent’s turn, thus reducing the disruption caused by Waterwhirl. Utilizing counter spells or abilities that grant your creatures hexproof or protection can also directly negate Waterwhirl’s impact during crucial moments of the game. Finally, maintaining a diversified threat base so that bouncing one or two creatures doesn’t cripple your game plan is fundamental when facing this disruptive blue spell.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Waterwhirl MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Waterwhirl and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Waterwhirl has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal