Whir of Invention
~$5.25 low · ~$66.41 high
Buy on TCGplayerTCGplayer, eBay and Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy.
Blue. Instant
Aether Revolt #49 · Illustrated by Christine Choi
Aether Revolt #49 · Illustrated by Christine ChoiWhat is Whir of Invention worth?
TCGplayer, eBay and Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy.
TCGplayer market prices in USD, updated October 14, 2026. Each price is for one printing and one finish.
Oracle text
Improvise (Your artifacts can help cast this spell. Each artifact you tap after you're done activating mana abilities pays for 
.)
Search your library for an artifact card with mana value X or less, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Format legality
All 7 printings of Whir of Invention
| Printing | Rarity | Non-foil | Foil | Cardmarket (EUR) | My collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Special Guests spg #86· 2025Borderlessmythic· Cardmarket €5.54 · €11.42 foil | mythic | $8.91 | $14.68 | €5.54€11.42 foil | |
 Special Guests spg #96· 2025Borderlessmythic· Cardmarket €56.91 foil | mythic | No non-foil printing | $66.41 | €56.91 foil | |
 The List plst #AER-49· 2021rare· Cardmarket €5.40 | rare | $5.54 | No foil printing | €5.40 | |
 Secret Lair Drop sld #311· 2021Borderlessrare· Cardmarket €9.25 · €13.79 foil | rare | $9.34 | $11.06 | €9.25€13.79 foil | |
 Aether Revolt Promos paer #49p· 2020Promorare· Cardmarket €5.61 · €11.53 foil | rare | $6.78 | $14.80 | €5.61€11.53 foil | |
 Aether Revolt aer #49· 2017rare· Cardmarket €4.58 · €9.79 foil | rare | $5.25 | $12.55 | €4.58€9.79 foil | |
 Aether Revolt Promos paer #49s· 2017Promorare· Cardmarket €8.90 foil | rare | No non-foil printing | $18.77 | €8.90 foil |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices in USD for each printing and finish, via Scryfall. They are a guide, not an appraisal.
Where to buy Whir of Invention
Graded copies on eBay
Searches for the Special Guests #96 printing.
Graded prices vary a lot by grade. These links search current listings.
Protect it: Sleeves on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Toploaders on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Binders on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We also take part in the TCGplayer (via Impact) and eBay Partner Network affiliate programs. Links to TCGplayer, eBay and Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Cardmarket links are not affiliate links.
Card details
- First printed
- 2017
- Printings
- 7
- Mana value
- 3
- EDHREC rank
- #1,334 on EDHREC (Commander popularity)
- Keywords
- Improvise
- Artists
- Brian Chippendale, Christine Choi, Tyler Walpole
What the codes mean
The small print at the bottom of the Aether Revolt card (#49).
049 · AER · R · EN
- 049Collector number: this card's place in the set list. Main-set cards print it over the set's card count.
- AERSet code for Aether Revolt
- RRare
- ENPrinted in English
How to read a Magic card: every part and code, on real cards.
Rulings (9)
February 9, 2017
Because improvise isn't an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs.
February 9, 2017
If an artifact you control has a mana ability with
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.February 9, 2017
Tapping an artifact won't cause its abilities to stop applying unless those abilities say so.
February 9, 2017
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
."February 9, 2017
Improvise can't pay for
, , 
, 
, 
, or 
mana symbols in a spell's total cost.February 9, 2017
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.
February 9, 2017
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.
February 9, 2017
When using improvise to cast a spell with
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 ) and choose X to be 3, the total cost is . If you tap two artifacts, you'll have to pay .February 9, 2017
Improvise doesn't change a spell's mana cost or mana value.
Browse more: Aether Revolt · all sets · search cards