Magic: The Gathering

Whir of Invention

Secret Lair Drop 311 • rare

Set: Secret Lair Drop
Collector number: 311
Rarity: Rare
Mana cost: X mana blue mana blue mana blue mana
Type: Instant
Colors: Blue
Artist: Tyler Walpole
Market price: $9.13

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$9.13est. via TCGplayer

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6other printings of this card

Market

What it's worth

$9.13market price via TCGplayer · Aug 17, 2026$8.33 – $9.15 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Whir of Invention; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

As a rare instant, this card offers players the versatility to search their library for an artifact at a moment's notice. The unique art by Tyler Walpole makes this specific iteration a distinct addition for any collector who values both functional utility and specialized visual aesthetics.

Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion

Card face

What it does

Improvise (Your artifacts can help cast this spell. Each artifact you tap after you're done activating mana abilities pays for 1 generic mana.)

Search your library for an artifact card with mana value X or less, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.

"Magic hat, I'm gonna be frank. What we need now is a twenty-ton tank!"

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerLegal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperNot legal
BrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal
Penny DreadfulLegal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

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Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Whir of Invention was originally released in the Aether Revolt expansion in 2017, designed as a powerful utility card for artifact-centric decks. The Secret Lair version, featuring artwork by Tyler Walpole, was released as part of a curated series of specialized reprints. These drops are intended to offer players and collectors stylized, artist-driven interpretations of iconic cards, often moving away from the traditional visual language of the game to explore more atmospheric or thematic aesthetics.

Tyler Walpole’s illustration for this edition emphasizes the mechanical and arcane complexity of the card’s function. By depicting the 'whir' of the artifact-tinkering process, Walpole leans into the high-fantasy industrialism that characterizes the setting of Kaladesh. The release was well-received by the collecting community for its unique visual departure, providing a distinct alternative to the standard set frames and cementing the card's status as a staple for deck-builders who value curated, uniform card art.

Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion

Other printings

Every version of this card

The same card, printed again — different sets, treatments, and prices.

Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Whir of Invention

Whir of Invention is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Secret Lair Drop 311 • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

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Where does the Whir of Invention catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Whir of Invention is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.