The Maelstrom
OPCAPlanechase Anthology Planes/#49/2016CommonReprint
MV 0
Current paper retail
ManaPool$4.53
Card Kingdom$2.29
Cardmarket€2.72
TCGplayer$5.42
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.80
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $2.29High $2.99Low $1.99▼ 23.4%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$5.42TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▲ 0.0%30d▼ 4.1%90d▼ 4.4%
90d high
$6.04
90d low
$5.42
Paper printings priced
2
Currently 1st
Cheapest paper printing
$5.42
Planechase Anthology Planes
- Down 4.1% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Currently 10% below its 90 day high of $6.04.
- This is the cheapest paper printing of the card currently priced (2 priced in total).
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
Collect
Play
Compare printings (2 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Plane — Alara
When you planeswalk to The Maelstrom and at the beginning of your upkeep, you may reveal the top card of your library. If a permanent card is revealed this way, you may put it onto the battlefield. If you revealed a card but didn't put it onto the battlefield, put it on the bottom of your library.
Whenever chaos ensues, return target permanent card from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Card capabilities
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Digital formats
Rulings (7)
wotc1 Oct 2009
If an ability of a plane refers to "you," it's referring to whoever the plane's controller is at the time, not to the player that started the game with that plane card in their deck. Many abilities of plane cards affect all players, while many others affect only the planar controller, so read each ability carefully.
wotc1 Oct 2009
If you reveal a permanent card that can't enter (because it's an Aura and there's nothing it can enchant, for example), then you must put it on the bottom of your library.
wotc1 Oct 2009
A face-up plane card that's turned face down becomes a new object with no relation to its previous existence. In particular, it loses all counters it may have had.
wotc1 Oct 2009
As The Maelstrom's first ability resolves, you choose whether or not to reveal the top card of your library. If you reveal it and it's a permanent card, you have two choices: Put it onto the battlefield, or put it on the bottom of your library. It can't remain on top of your library. On the other hand, if you reveal it and it's an instant or sorcery card, it must be put on the bottom of your library. There is no way you can leave a card revealed this way on top of your library.
wotc1 Oct 2009
A permanent card is an artifact, creature, enchantment, land, or planeswalker card.
wotc1 Oct 2009
A plane card is treated as if its text box included "When you roll {PW}, put this card on the bottom of its owner's planar deck face down, then move the top card of your planar deck off that planar deck and turn it face up." This is called the "planeswalking ability."
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Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
Shares Graveyard interactionSame colour identity
Shares Graveyard interactionSame colour identity
Shares Graveyard interactionSame colour identity
Shares Graveyard interactionSame colour identity
Shares Graveyard interactionSame colour identity
Shares Graveyard interactionSame colour identity
Shares Graveyard interactionSame colour identity
Shares Graveyard interactionSame colour identity
About this card
The Maelstrom
The Maelstrom is a Plane — Alara (mana value 0). Printed 2 times across MTG sets.
Format legality: Commander: not_legal, Modern: not_legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: not_legal, Legacy: not_legal, Pauper: not_legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $5.42 (down 4.1% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
The Maelstrom FAQ
How much is The Maelstrom worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for The Maelstrom is $5.42. It is down 4.1% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $5.42 to $6.04.
What is the cheapest printing of The Maelstrom?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Planechase Anthology Planes at $5.42 on TCGplayer.
What is the most expensive printing of The Maelstrom?
The most expensive currently priced paper printing is from Planechase Planes at $8.29 on TCGplayer.
How many printings of The Maelstrom are there?
The Maelstrom has been printed 2 times in English paper sets that MTGPrices tracks.
What set was The Maelstrom first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from OHOP #23, released 2009-09-04.
What is the newest printing of The Maelstrom?
The most recent English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from OPCA #49, released 2016-11-25.
Is The Maelstrom legal in Commander?
The Maelstrom is not currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is The Maelstrom legal in Modern?
The Maelstrom is not currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.