Whirling Strike
Instant
Target creature gets +2/+0 and gains first strike and trample until end of turn.
- CMC
- 2
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- R
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- The Brothers' War
- Price
- $0.17
- EDHREC rank
- #16675
Whirling Strike deals damage and replaces itself — a two-for-one at instant speed that most red or white decks will find worth a slot. The cost is that it only hits creatures, so it does nothing against the enchantment that's actually killing you.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Whirling Strike competes in a crowded field of instant-speed removal, and the draw-a-card clause is what keeps it relevant — raw damage spells without upside don't make the cut at 100 cards. In Pauper, the common card pool makes cantripping removal genuinely powerful, and Whirling Strike is a reasonable inclusion in aggressive or tempo strategies that need to stay ahead on cards. Legacy, Vintage, and Modern all have cheaper and more flexible options, so Whirling Strike won't see play in those formats outside of budget builds or sealed.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.17 bulk tier
At $0.17, Whirling Strike is deep bulk — you're not buying it for the price tag, you're buying it because the effect fits your list. Bulk commons don't hold or gain value, so pick up copies as needed rather than speculating on quantity.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.