Dread Cacodemon MTG Card
2011-06-17 - Number 79
2017-06-09 - Number 55
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 10 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Demon |
| Power | 8 |
| Toughness | 8 |
Text of card
When Dread Cacodemon enters the battlefield, if you cast it from your hand, destroy all creatures your opponents control, then tap all other creatures you control.
Those who hear its roar perish. The lucky ones only feel its fetid breath.
Cards like Dread Cacodemon
Dread Cacodemon presents intriguing control dynamics in Magic: The Gathering, somewhat mirroring the destructive capabilities of Reiver Demon. Both cards can clear the battlefield of opposing creatures with their potent entering-the-battlefield abilities. Yet, Dread Cacodemon commands a formidable presence with its condition of only activating the effect if cast from the hand. Reiver Demon lacks this stipulation, but it compensates with a lower mana cost.
Another parallel can be drawn with the card Plague Wind, which also wipes out creatures on the opposing side without touching your own. Dread Cacodemon shares this one-sided devastation; however, Plague Wind does not require a situation to be played from hand, making it more flexible in use. In terms of mana cost, both cards are heavy investments, but they arguably pay off by shifting game momentum.
Assessing Dread Cacodemon within the realm of board-wiping monsters, it stands out for its conditional yet game-ending ability. Players leveraging this card can maximize its effect by carefully planning the game stage in which it is cast, ensuring when it hits the battlefield, it’s nothing short of cataclysmic for opponents.
Cards similar to Dread Cacodemon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dread Cacodemon provides a substantial swing in card advantage when it enters the battlefield. If played correctly, this powerful demon will clear the board of all your opponent’s creatures, potentially wiping out a multitude of threats in one fell swoop. Not only does this disrupt your opponent’s plans, but it also paves the way for you to attack safely, putting you in a favorable position to win.
Resource Acceleration: Although Dread Cacodemon itself does not directly accelerate resources, its high casting cost encourages players to include mana ramp tools in their deck to deploy it earlier in the game. By doing so, players can take advantage of other spells and artifacts that provide resource acceleration, ultimately allowing for the casting of Dread Cacodemon ahead of schedule, which can be game-deciding.
Instant Speed: While Dread Cacodemon does not operate at instant speed, the impact it has on the game upon casting can be immense. It forces opponents to play cautiously, holding back creatures in fear of triggering its board wipe effect when it lands. In the right deck with sufficient ramp and control elements, Dread Cacodemon becomes a looming threat that must be answered immediately, often eating up resources or counterspells that would otherwise be used against your game-winning plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the hurdles when including Dread Cacodemon in your deck is the necessity to discard another card to activate certain abilities, which could leave you at a disadvantage, especially in a tight game where every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Dread Cacodemon is not only high but also demands a specific combination of colors, requiring a heavy black mana commitment. This can make it difficult to cast in a multicolored deck without the right mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of ten mana, Dread Cacodemon stands on the pricier side of the mana spectrum. For such a massive investment, there are alternative creatures or spells that could be played sooner and contribute to your strategy with less resource commitment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dread Cacodemon’s ability to clear the board can be a game-changer in various deck archetypes, particularly in Commander where big plays can dictate the game’s pace. Its presence in a deck ensures that you have a powerful reset button when faced against overwhelming odds.
Combo Potential: This demon offers combo synergies in decks that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield. Its hefty power and toughness also provide a substantial threat that can be recurring through various graveyard retrieval strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-heavy decks are often prevalent, having Dread Cacodemon in your collection means you’re well-equipped to disrupt such strategies. Its ability to wipe out opposing creatures upon arrival on your turn can shift the momentum in your favor, making it a relevant choice in many metas.
How to Beat
Dread Cacodemon is a formidable presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This colossal demon carries not just a significant power and toughness but also a potentially game-altering ability that can clear the board of your creatures when it comes into play. Facing such a threat requires strategic moves and the right cards in your arsenal.
Firstly, countering Dread Cacodemon is effective – keeping spells like Counterspell or Negate ready can ensure it never affects the board. Should the demon land, instant-speed removals like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can deal with it before it gets a chance to unleash its destructive potential. Alternatively, leveraging the power of sacrifice effects, such as with Diabolic Edict, forces the opponent to sacrifice their creature regardless of its might.
Moreover, including cards that grant protection or indestructibility to your creatures, like Boros Charm or Heroic Intervention, can be paramount to keeping your board intact against such overwhelming odds. Planning ahead and keeping these strategies in mind will help you maintain control over the game, even when facing the terror that is Dread Cacodemon.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dread Cacodemon MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2011 and Commander Anthology, 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 Dread Cacodemon and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Dread Cacodemon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by Izzy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 79 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 2 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dread Cacodemon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dread Cacodemon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-09-22 | If you put Dread Cacodemon directly onto the battlefield from your hand, perhaps because of Kaalia of the Vast’s ability, its ability won’t trigger. |
| 2013-09-20 | If a creature (such as Clone) enters the battlefield as a copy of this creature, the copy’s “enters-the-battlefield” ability will still trigger as long as you cast that creature spell from your hand. |