Cao Cao, Lord of Wei MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cao Cao, Lord of Wei enables strategic depletion of your opponent’s hand, allowing you to selectively discard two cards at a time. Not only does this disrupt their game plan, but it also bolsters your own position, giving you an informational and strategic edge.

Resource Acceleration: By diminishing an opponent’s resources while maintaining your own card count, Cao Cao effectively acts as a form of acceleration. It can pressure an opponent into using resources at a suboptimal time, indirectly benefiting your mana and resource management.

Instant Speed: The ability of Cao Cao, Lord of Wei to activate at instant speed gives you the flexibility to end your turn without committing to a particular action. You can adapt to your opponent’s moves, making the decision to disrupt their hand at the most opportune moment, often right after they draw, maximizing the uncertainty and pressure.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cao Cao, Lord of Wei requires your opponent to discard two cards which can be less impactful later in the game when the opponent has fewer cards in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This legendary creature demands a strict two black mana in its casting cost, potentially restricting it to monoblack or heavy black decks and limiting its flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of five mana, Cao Cao enters the battlefield later in the game. There are other cards with lower mana costs that disrupt the opponent’s hand more efficiently and quickly.

Reasons to Include Cao Cao, Lord of Wei in Your Collection

Versatility: Cao Cao, Lord of Wei offers flexibility in deck-building, fitting seamlessly into black control or mid-range decks. His ability to disrupt opponents by forcing discards makes him effective in a variety of game situations.

Combo Potential: Paired with cards that capitalize on discard mechanics or benefit from an opponent’s empty hand, Cao Cao’s targeted discard effect can be a cornerstone of potent combinations, amplifying the impact of each discarded card.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where hand advantage is crucial, Cao Cao’s repeatable disruption can be a game-changer. Having the power to strip resources from your opponent’s hand each turn keeps them at a disadvantage and can tilt matches in your favor.

How to beat

Cao Cao, Lord of Wei is a card that commands respect on the battlefield due to its ability to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by forcing them to discard. To effectively counter this legendary creature, it is essential to neutralize it swiftly. Board control spells and removal options such as Path to Exile, which exiles a creature, or Murder, which outright destroys a creature regardless of its toughness, can be highly effective. A strategic approach is to minimize the impact of Cao Cao’s ability by keeping a low hand size or by using cards with Madness, where discarding could actually turn to your advantage.

Another tactic is to prevent Cao Cao from ever entering the battlefield. Counterspells such as Cancel or Mana Leak allow you to deny your opponent the chance to use Cao Cao’s abilities while also maintaining the pace of your own gameplay. Redirecting the battlefield’s focus with such spells not only conserves your hand but also can pivot the game in your favor. When Cao Cao is on the field, prioritize these approaches to maintain a strong position in your game.