Early insights from the first two weeks of Whispers in the Well.
Two weeks after the release of Whispers in the Well, the competitive scene has begun to settle into interesting patterns. With three major tournaments already completed across different regions, we have a helpful picture of how players are approaching the new season following rotation. Each event has brought its own mix of ideas, experiments and surprises, and what we are seeing is a metagame that is diverse, flexible and full of possibility.
This article brings together the early themes that have emerged from these events. Rather than offering fixed judgements, it highlights the combinations and strategies that have made an early impression. It also introduces several cards from Whispers in the Well that are already shaping the way decks are built. The goal is to give readers a clear and accessible overview, whether they are long time players or newcomers who are still learning the foundations of the game.
A Strong Start for Amethyst and Steel
Across early tournaments, Amethyst and Steel has been one of the most successful ink pairings. The appeal of this combination lies in how well the two inks complement each other. Amethyst offers recursion, which means bringing cards back from the discard pile, along with card filtering and efficient actions. Steel contributes reliable removal and characters with strong base statistics.
This pairing benefits greatly from several Whispers in the Well cards that have already made an impact. The Headless Horseman has proven to be a recurring threat that returns from the discard pile. Demona, Scourge of the Wyvern Clan brings strong board presence when used carefully, especially with the Stone by Day mechanic that encourages players to manage hand size. Goliath, Clan Leader adds stability through defensive strength and card draw.
These cards give Amethyst and Steel decks a sense of resilience. They can stabilise the early game, pressure opponents in the mid game and maintain momentum throughout longer matches. The flexibility of this pairing encourages experimentation, and the early results suggest that there are many different ways to build within this colour combination.
Sapphire and Amethyst Value Decks Show Impressive Depth
Sapphire and Amethyst decks built around value engines have established themselves as another major force in the early meta. A value engine refers to a set of cards that provide recurring benefits, often through additional card draw or incremental effects that accumulate over time.
Several Whispers cards play a central role here. Dumbo, Ninth Wonder of the Universe transforms excess cards into meaningful pressure by allowing players to translate card advantage into board presence. Belle, Accomplished Mystic and Ursula, Whisper of Vanessa offer strong filtering and card access. Madam Mim, Elephant provides both board presence and a target for synergy. Vision of the Future brings reliable digging to find these engine pieces early.
These decks can look very different from one player to another. Some focus on controlling the pace of the game by removing threats and building their resources slowly. Others take advantage of Dumbo and Belle to overwhelm opponents in the mid game. What unites them is a commitment to maintaining steady access to cards and opportunities.
The early results suggest that Sapphire and Amethyst value based strategies have a high ceiling. As players continue refining their lists, new variations may appear that push the boundaries of what these engines can achieve.
Evasive Strategies Bring Welcome Speed
The presence of Ruby and Amethyst Evasive decks has added welcome speed to the early meta. Evasive characters can only be challenged by other Evasive characters, which means that they often generate lore safely unless opponents include specific answers. This makes Evasive strategies attractive for players who prefer a fast paced approach.
Whispers in the Well has introduced several cards that strengthen this style. Giant Cobra, Ghostly Serpent and Iago, Stompin Mad provide reliable early pressure. Olaf, Helping Hand offers valuable card draw to maintain tempo. Ruby contributes powerful tools such as Strength of a Raging Fire, which helps swing challenging combats or remove key pieces.
The early success of these decks shows that the format is not leaning solely towards slower, value driven approaches. The ability of Evasive lists to pressure opponents from the first few turns forces the wider metagame to remain responsive. This creates a dynamic environment where Evasive strategies have a clear role and potential.
Control Continues to Evolve
Control decks remain a visible part of the early meta, particularly those built around Emerald and Sapphire. These lists aim to limit the opponent’s options by removing threats, building resources and taking over the game in the later turns. While the early events did not show control dominating the field, it remains consistently present.
Whispers in the Well has introduced new mechanics that challenge traditional control tools. Whisper glimmers grow in strength when players use the Boost mechanic, which allows cards to be placed underneath them for additional power. This encourages control players to find new answers and sequence their removal tools carefully. Spooky Sight, for example, has proven to be a useful interaction point, while cards such as Second Star to the Right allow players to dig deeper for answers.
Control decks are adapting. Rather than disappearing, they are adjusting their card choices to reflect the new environment. As players continue learning how Whisper and Boost interact with slower strategies, control lists may become more refined and find even greater success.
Aggro With Room to Grow
Aggressive decks are also present in the early results. Amber and Emerald aggro, along with Amber and Steel tempo lists, have shown promise in the right hands. These decks aim to develop early strength and push opponents before they can assemble their engines.
One noticeable trend since the previous season is the renewed presence of Tipo, Growing Son. Tipo fits naturally into aggressive and tempo focused lists, offering a low cost source of pressure that remains relevant later in the game. Cards such as Prince Phillip, Royal Explorer and Clarabelle, Light on Her Hooves also provide reliable ways to maintain tempo and keep the board active.
Aggro decks may not appear as frequently as value or midrange strategies in the early data, but they offer significant potential. As the early meta shifts and players refine their lists, aggro decks are likely to adapt and find new openings.
Shifts Since Fabled: Notable Changes
The shift from Fabled into Whispers in the Well has brought several changes to both card usage and deck construction.
Tiana’s Restaurant, which was once a regular inclusion in Amber decks, has seen a sharp decline. The new set offers alternative value engines that are more efficient or better suited to the current pace of the meta. Cards that provide immediate benefits are favoured over those that require longer setup.
Archazia’s Island cards have also seen reduced play. Their item based ramp is still powerful, but players are leaning towards engines built around Whisper glimmers and Boost. These engines often provide more immediate or flexible benefits.
On the other hand, certain cards from earlier sets have found new relevance. Tipo is a clear example. Its efficient stats and ease of use make it a natural fit for aggressive and midrange strategies in the new environment. Early results show that some cards regain prominence when the broader structure of the format changes, and Tipo is benefiting from that shift.
These changes highlight how rotation does more than simply remove sets. It alters which older tools remain effective and which strategies find new room to grow.
A Meta Filled With Opportunity
Looking across all three early tournaments, one theme stands out. Whispers in the Well has created a metagame that is flexible and varied. Amethyst and Steel have provided consistency, Sapphire and Amethyst have delivered impressive depth and Evasive strategies have added important speed. Control remains active and evolving, and aggro continues to find new patterns as players explore the set.
The impact cards from Whispers are helping to shape these trends. The Headless Horseman, Dumbo, Belle, Ursula, Giant Cobra, Iago and many others are already guiding the way players build and play. These cards represent the identity of the set and show how its mechanics can support different kinds of strategies.
What is most encouraging is how open the format remains. Early results offer direction but not certainty. There is still plenty of room for innovation, and players are discovering new ideas every day. Whispers in the Well has set the stage for a season full of exploration and creative potential.
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