WhipkeeperHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Whipkeeper has a simple but effective activated ability. When you tap it, you target a creature that has already taken damage this turn. Whipkeeper then deals an amount of damage to that creature exactly equal to the total amount of damage it has already sustained since the turn began. It essentially functions as a damage multiplier that checks the history of the turn.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, activate the ability by tapping Whipkeeper and selecting a legal target. When the ability resolves, the game looks at the target creature and calculates how much damage was dealt to it earlier in the turn. This includes damage dealt by combat, spells, or abilities. Crucially, even if the creature was regenerated—which removes the physical damage marked on it—the game still remembers that the damage was 'dealt,' so Whipkeeper will still count it toward the total.

Common Mistakes

One common pitfall is misunderstanding prevented damage. If an effect prevents damage from being dealt to a creature, that damage was never technically 'dealt' and will not be counted by Whipkeeper. Additionally, remember that Whipkeeper counts all damage dealt *that turn*, not just the damage currently marked on the creature. If a creature was healed or regenerated, the 'ghost' of that previous damage still fuels Whipkeeper’s whip.

When to Play It

Whipkeeper is best utilized during the second main phase after combat. If your opponent blocked your attackers but their creatures survived with a few points of damage, Whipkeeper can finish them off. It is also excellent in decks that use small damage pings or 'pyroclasm' effects to soften up the board before the Dwarf delivers the final strike.

Interaction examples

Finishing the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent blocks your 2/2 creature with Solemn Simulacrum (a 2/2), both creatures would normally survive if the damage was somehow reduced, or if Solemn Simulacrum was buffed to a 2/3. If Solemn Simulacrum has already taken 1 damage this turn, tapping Whipkeeper will deal another 1 damage to it. If it has taken 2 damage, Whipkeeper deals another 2, likely sending the Golem to the graveyard and letting your opponent draw a card.

The Dwarf and the Throne

Roaming Throne

You control Roaming Throne and chose 'Dwarf' as it entered. If a creature has taken 2 damage this turn and you tap Whipkeeper to target it, Roaming Throne does not affect this interaction. Why? Because Whipkeeper has an 'activated ability' (noted by the colon), and Roaming Throne only interacts with 'triggered abilities' (starting with when, whenever, or at). Whipkeeper will resolve once, dealing 2 damage to the target.

Solo Efficiency

On its own, Whipkeeper cannot deal damage to a 'fresh' creature that has taken 0 damage. If you tap it targeting a creature that hasn't been hurt yet, Whipkeeper deals 0 damage. You must ensure a source of damage has already touched the target during the current turn for the ability to have an effect.