Fodder Cannon MTG Card

Effective in decks with token strategies, turning numerous small creatures into substantial damage. Requires careful play, as sacrificing creatures can reduce battlefield presence and overall strategy effectiveness. Despite mana costs, its damage output and control aspects make it a formidable tool in the right deck.

Urza's Destiny (UDS)
1999-06-07 - Number 131

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 302★

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 302

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number UDS-131

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact

Text of card

o4, oc T, Sacrifice a creature: Fodder Cannon deals 4 damage to target creature.

Step 1: Find your cousin. Step 2: Get your cousin in the cannon. Step 3: Find another cousin.

Cards like Fodder Cannon

When evaluating Fodder Cannon within the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, it’s important to take into account its place amongst creature elimination tools. Fodder Cannon offers a unique opportunity to turn units into direct damage, reminiscent of effects like Goblin Bombardment. However, Goblin Bombardment is less costly and can fling creatures without tapping, giving it a more flexible usage.

Another parallel can be drawn with Blasting Station, which similarly transforms creatures into damage against opponents. Blasting Station’s untap feature upon a creature entering the battlefield allows for potentially repetitive use, a tactic not available with the Fodder Cannon. But what sets Fodder Cannon apart is the substantial four damage it deals, offering a powerful punch compared to Blasting Station’s single point of damage per sac.

In sum, while there are similarities between Fodder Cannon and its counterparts, its high damage output provides a significant benefit, positioning it as a worthy consideration for players crafting a deck aimed at utilizing creatures as ammunition for direct damage.

Cards similar to Fodder Cannon by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Fodder Cannon itself may not directly provide card advantage, it excels at converting excess creature cards on the field into potent utility. By using creatures that have already served their purpose or are about to be lost to removal spells, you can turn them into valuable damage against opposing threats.

Resource Acceleration: Fodder Cannon doesn’t inherently speed up your mana resources, yet it aligns perfectly with token-generating strategies. This synergy can transform a swarm of insignificant tokens into a barrage of damage, thereby accelerating your game plan to overpower opponents by exhausting their resources faster than usual.

Instant Speed: Although Fodder Cannon operates at sorcery speed, its presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking with valuable creatures, functioning like a standing threat. This implicit control over the board state can be just as crucial as the immediate power of instant speed spells, allowing strategic players to dictate the pace of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bringing Fodder Cannon into play doesn’t come without its caveats. To utilize its ability, you must sacrifice a creature, which means depleting your field presence and potentially losing a valuable asset. For decks that don’t inherently benefit from creature sacrifice, this could put the player at a disadvantage, especially if they’re already facing pressure from their opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Fodder Cannon’s specific mana requirements present another hurdle. The activation cost includes four generic mana, which is not always readily available, especially in the early game or within multicolor decks that may prioritize other mana resources. This specific cost can slow down strategy execution and limit options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment for Fodder Cannon is high when comparing it to other cards with similar effects. With a total casting and activation cost of four mana, it can be costly for the provided outcome. Players might find that there are alternative cards that allow for more efficient use of mana and contribute more significantly to winning the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fodder Cannon brings a unique dynamic to any deck centered around creature generation. Its ability to turn excess creatures into direct damage makes it a versatile addition, fitting particularly well in token and aggro strategies where creatures are plentiful.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Fodder Cannon can be the linchpin in a powerful combo. Utilizing untap mechanics or cards that generate a vast number of creature tokens, it has the potential to unleash significant damage, dismantling an opponent’s life total or clearing the path of blockers.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where board states can become cluttered with creatures, the Cannon offers a repeatable removal solution. As part of a control or midrange deck, it provides recurring board control, making it relevant in numerous gameplay scenarios.

How to beat Fodder Cannon

Fodder Cannon is an intriguing utility card that can shift the tides of a game in Magic: The Gathering. It provides players with the capability to turn excess creatures into direct damage against opponent’s creatures. Understanding the rhythm of play when facing a Fodder Cannon is essential. This can often mean prioritizing the removal of the artifact itself or maintaining pressure to limit the resources your opponent can sacrifice.

One effective strategy is to reduce the number of low-value targets for the cannon. Focusing on playing creatures with higher toughness can diminish the impact Fodder Cannon has on the board. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed artifact disruption can catch your opponent off-guard, wasting their mana and planned play for the turn. Cards that offer versatile answers, like Naturalize or Disenchant, are essential inclusions in your deck when going up against artifact-centric strategies.

Moreover, keeping an eye on the opponent’s creature count helps you prepare for potential threats. If an opponent is building up a small army, they could be setting the stage for Fodder Cannon’s ability. Balancing aggression with strategic control of the battlefield becomes key to neutralizing the threat posed by this card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fodder Cannon MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and Eighth Edition, 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 Fodder Cannon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fodder Cannon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1999-06-07	Urza's Destiny	UDS	131	1997	Normal	Black	DiTerlizzi
2	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	302★	2003	Normal	Black	Christopher Moeller
3	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	302	2003	Normal	White	Christopher Moeller
4	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	UDS-131	1997	Normal	Black	DiTerlizzi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fodder Cannon has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal