Cavalcade of Calamity MTG Card


This card transforms 1-power creatures into sources of additional damage, maximizing card efficiency. Strategically synchronizes with haste creatures and instant-speed spells for an agile battlefield presence. Despite its focused application, it can be central to red aggressive decks that leverage swarm tactics.
Cavalcade of Calamity - Ravnica Allegiance
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment
Released2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set nameRavnica Allegiance
Set codeRNA
Number95
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJonas De Ro

Text of card

Whenever a creature you control with power 1 or less attacks, Cavalcade of Calamity deals 1 damage to the player or planeswalker that creature is attacking.

Let the Dimir worry about witnesses. For the Rakdos, screams count as applause.


Cards like Cavalcade of Calamity

Cavalcade of Calamity holds a distinct place in red’s go-wide strategies in MTG, much like its predecessor Impact Tremors. Comparing these two cards directly, Cavalcade of Calamity requires creatures with power 1 or less to trigger its damage-dealing ability, whereas Impact Tremors triggers whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, irrespective of its power. This makes Impact Tremors arguably more versatile across a wider range of decks and creatures.

Looking at Raid Bombardment, another card with a similar damage mechanic, the criteria shifts: Raid Bombardment triggers for each attacking creature you control with power 2 or less. In commander and other multiplayer formats, Raid Bombardment can sometimes be more impactful due to the potential of having multiple opponents. Conversely, Cavalcade’s focus on creatures with power 1 or less can make it more effective in decks designed around cheap, numerous token creatures.

In essence, your choice between Cavalcade of Calamity and these similar cards hinges on the specific strategy and creature composition of your deck. While Cavalcade offers an aggressive game plan for swarms of tiny creatures, its alternatives like Impact Tremors broaden the spectrum of deck synergy, and Raid Bombardment caters to a slightly more powerful, yet still numerous, creature base.

Impact Tremors - MTG Card versions
Raid Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Impact Tremors - MTG Card versions
Raid Bombardment - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Cavalcade of Calamity doesn’t draw cards in the traditional sense, it multiplies the effectiveness of each 1-power creature you control. This translates into tremendous card advantage as every creature turns into a potential source of additional damage without having to expend extra cards.

Resource Acceleration: Cavalcade of Calamity can be seen as a form of resource acceleration in decks built around it. This enchantment lets you amplify the damage dealt by your small creatures, essentially getting more bang for your buck. This accelerates the pace at which you can reduce your opponent’s life total, potentially leading to a quicker victory.

Instant Speed: Although Cavalcade of Calamity operates at sorcery speed as an enchantment, it pairs well with creatures that have haste or with spells that can be cast at instant speed. This synergy allows you to maintain pressure and adapt to the battlefield dynamically, essentially gaining the advantage of instant speed effects through strategic play.


Card Cons

Requires Discarding: Unlike some aggressive red enchantments, Cavalcade of Calamity doesn’t force you to discard cards. It focuses on amplifying the damage dealt by your small creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: While Cavalcade of Calamity does come with a specific casting cost that is efficiently priced at two red mana, it limits its integration to red-focused or red-compatible decks, which may not synergize well with other strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its low casting cost, some players might argue that spending two mana in the early game on an enchantment could detract from deploying more creatures to apply pressure, making it situationally costly.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cavalcade of Calamity is a game-changer for decks that employ numerous creatures with power 1. This enchantment can be a cornerstone in aggressive red strategies, multiplying the damage output every turn with just a swarm of diminutive creatures.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes exceptionally well with cards that produce tokens or have effects when a creature attacks, making it a nightmare for opponents when combined with cards like Goblin Instigator or Legion Warboss.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-shifting dynamics of the metagame, Cavalcade of Calamity holds its own by punishing slower, more cumbersome decks. It’s a reliable way to apply pressure and capitalize on early game creature advantage, making it a steadfast option in numerous match-ups.


How to beat

Cavalcade of Calamity is a unique enchantment in the game that turns a swarm of small creatures into a rapidly escalating threat. To counteract this strategy, look for ways to remove or neutralize the enchantment itself. Cards with enchantment removal like Disenchant or Naturalize are effective tools to directly dismantle Cavalcade of Calamity from the board. Additionally, mass removal spells that clear multiple creatures at once, such as Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act, can sweep the board and render the enchantment useless without targets to trigger its ability. Employing larger creatures that can block and survive attacks from smaller ones is another method to stifle the damage Cavalcade of Calamity intends to inflict. Control decks that limit the number of creatures your opponent can maintain on the field can also reduce the impact of this card. By understanding and interrupting the synergy it relies on, Cavalcade of Calamity becomes much less intimidating.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Cavalcade of Calamity is crucial for MTG enthusiasts looking to harness its full potential. Whether adding fuel to your red aggro decks or finding answers against it, there’s always more strategy to unpack and new card interactions to explore. If you’re ready to deepen your mastery and push the boundaries of your gameplay, delve with us into advanced tactics and deck-building wisdom. Together, we’ll transform every match into an edge-of-your-seat battle, making every tiny creature count. Expand your MTG knowledge and optimize your strategies—your journey to dominating the battlefield is just beginning.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cavalcade of Calamity MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Cavalcade of Calamity and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cavalcade of Calamity has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cavalcade of Calamity card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-01-25 A creature with power 0 or less can attack, as long as no rule or effect prohibits it from doing so. Many creatures with 0 power have defender, but not all do.
2019-01-25 If multiple creatures you control with power 1 or less attack, Cavalcade of Calamity’s ability will trigger for each of those creatures. Each ability will cause Cavalcade of Calamity to deal 1 damage to the appropriate player or planeswalker.
2019-01-25 The power of the attacking creature is checked only when the ability triggers. Once it triggers, Cavalcade of Calamity will deal 1 damage to the appropriate player or planeswalker even if the creature’s power changes or the creature leaves the battlefield before the ability resolves.