Whir of Invention
Instant · Rare
Whir of Invention is currently worth about $4.99 for its most affordable printing, tracked daily across Scryfall, TCGplayer, and Card Kingdom. 1 collector on RareWell holds 5 copies.
Improvise (Your artifacts can help cast this spell. Each artifact you tap after you're done activating mana abilities pays for 1.) Search your library for an artifact card with mana value X or less, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Format legality
Card facts
- Mana value
- 3
- Color identity
- U
- Type line
- Instant
- Keywords
- Improvise
- Rarity
- Rare
- First printed
- 2017
- Artist
- Christine Choi
Playability
#1304 most-played card on EDHREC — Widely played
Popularity data from EDHREC
Rulings
Improvise doesn't change a spell's mana cost or mana value.
— wotc, 2017-02-09
When calculating a spell's total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Improvise applies after the total cost is calculated.
— wotc, 2017-02-09
Because improvise isn't an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs.
— wotc, 2017-02-09
Improvise can't pay for {W}, {U}, {B}, {R}, {G}, or {C} mana symbols in a spell's total cost.
— wotc, 2017-02-09
Improvise can't be used to pay for anything other than the cost of casting the spell. For example, it can't be used during the resolution of an ability that says "Counter target spell unless its controller pays {3}."
— wotc, 2017-02-09
If an artifact you control has a mana ability with {T} in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with improvise will result in the artifact being tapped when you pay the spell's costs. You won't be able to tap it again for improvise. Similarly, if you sacrifice an artifact to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with improvise, that artifact won't be on the battlefield when you pay the spell's costs, so you won't be able to tap it for improvise.
— wotc, 2017-02-09
Tapping an artifact won't cause its abilities to stop applying unless those abilities say so.
— wotc, 2017-02-09
Equipment attached to a creature doesn't become tapped when that creature becomes tapped, and tapping that Equipment doesn't cause the creature to become tapped.
— wotc, 2017-02-09
When using improvise to cast a spell with {X} in its mana cost, first choose the value for X. That choice, plus any cost increases or decreases, will determine the spell's total cost. Then you can tap artifacts you control to help pay that cost. For example, if you cast Whir of Invention (a spell with improvise and mana cost {X}{U}{U}{U}) and choose X to be 3, the total cost is {3}{U}{U}{U}. If you tap two artifacts, you'll have to pay {1}{U}{U}{U}.
— wotc, 2017-02-09
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Prices by printing
Latest tracked estimates. Updated daily.
| Set | No. | Rarity | Nonfoil | Foil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Guests | 96 | Mythic | — | $57.20 |
| Aether Revolt Promos | 49s | Rare | — | $18.18 |
| Special Guests | 86 | Mythic | $9.29 | $13.39 |
| Secret Lair Drop | 311 | Rare | $9.08 | $10.27 |
| Aether Revolt Promos | 49p | Rare | $6.75 | $16.51 |
| The List | AER-49 | Rare | $6.75 | — |
| Aether Revolt | 49 | Rare | $4.99 | $13.17 |
| Kaladesh Remastered | 73 | Rare | — | — |
Price intelligence
Special Guests #96 — every source we track. The spread between retailers is where the deals live.
All sources
| Source | foil | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Scryfall estimate | $57.20 | 2026-07-28 |
Price trend · 90 days
foil
$54.50 – $57.20 · Scryfall estimate
Collectors with this card
Public collections holding Whir of Invention. Sellers first — click through to their page to see it and message them.
Similar cards on RareWell
Frequently asked
How much is Whir of Invention worth?
Whir of Invention is currently worth about $4.99 for its most affordable printing, based on live market estimates tracked daily on RareWell. Copies range from $4.99 to $57.20 across printings and finishes.
Which sets was Whir of Invention printed in?
Whir of Invention has been printed in 6 sets, including Aether Revolt, Special Guests, Secret Lair Drop, Aether Revolt Promos, The List, Kaladesh Remastered.
Can I buy Whir of Invention on RareWell?
No copies of Whir of Invention are listed right now, but collectors list cards daily — and if you own one, you can list it for sale or trade in minutes, free.
Is Whir of Invention legal in Commander?
Yes — Whir of Invention is legal in Commander (EDH).
Is Whir of Invention legal in Modern?
Yes — Whir of Invention is legal in Modern.
Is Whir of Invention on the Reserved List?
No — Whir of Invention is not on the Reserved List.
Are there official rulings for Whir of Invention?
Yes — Whir of Invention has 9 official rulings from Wizards of the Coast.
Printed in: Aether Revolt · Special Guests · Secret Lair Drop · Aether Revolt Promos · The List · Kaladesh Remastered
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