Maelstrom Colossus MTG Card

Maelstrom Colossus’s cascade ability can dramatically improve card advantage during play. Its potential to cast spells at instant speed via cascading offers strategic versatility. Discarding cards can be a downside, but it’s balanced by potential high-impact plays.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	8
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Abilities	Cascade
Released	2020-11-20
Set symbol
Set name	Commander Legends
Set code	CMR
Power	7
Toughness	7
Number	322
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Svetlin Velinov

Text of card

Cascade (When you cast this spell, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card that costs less. You may cast it without paying its mana cost. Put the exiled cards on the bottom of your library in a random order.)

"Nothing of the Maelstrom is quiet or easy." —Ajani Goldmane

Cards like Maelstrom Colossus

Maelstrom Colossus stands as a colossal figure in the Magic: The Gathering universe, particularly among artifact creatures. Its resemblance to other impactful creatures like Myr Battlesphere is noteworthy. Myr Battlesphere also brings a considerable presence to the battlefield, especially when it comes to creating tokens. However, Maelstrom Colossus provides its unique cascade ability, enabling players to potentially cast a free spell upon its entering the battlefield, adding to its value.

Another comparison can be drawn with Bane of Bala Ged, an eldrazi creature with a similar mana cost. While Bane of Bala Ged poses a formidable threat through its ability to exile opponent’s permanents on attack, it does not provide the same instant gratification or possible board swing that initiating a cascade chain with Maelstrom Colossus does. The immediate impact of cascade can reshape the game in ways that slow attrition from Bane of Bala Ged cannot.

Assessing the utility and gameplay dynamics of Maelstrom Colossus alongside these other high-cost creatures, the cascade effect undoubtedly sets it apart, adding a layer of unpredictability and potential game-altering spell casting that few other creatures offer.

Cards similar to Maelstrom Colossus by color, type and mana cost

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Maelstrom Colossus. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
WG	Pauper		Pauper League 2023-12-30
Gruul Ponza	Pauper	Gruul Ponza	Pauper Challenge 64 2023-12-10 (1)
Rogue Decklists	Pauper		Nacional Pauper 2023
Monster Tron	Pauper	Tron	Monthly Tournament #33

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Maelstrom Colossus offers a unique cascading ability that could potentially fetch additional spells from your deck, thereby increasing card advantage without spending extra mana.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana, the cascade effect of Maelstrom Colossus can lead to playing cards that may aid in resource acceleration, smoothly contributing to your board development.

Instant Speed: Even though Maelstrom Colossus itself is not cast at instant speed, the cascading effect can potentially reveal and cast spells that operate at instant speed. This provides strategic flexibility during your main phases, enabling surprise interactions or responses based on the current state of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Maelstrom Colossus comes with a unique challenge that could turn into a strategic drawback. The requirement to discard a card in certain gameplay situations could leave players in a tough spot, especially when holding a hand full of key cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Maelstrom Colossus demands a particular combination of mana colors for casting. This specificity can restrict its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the required mana, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a steeper than average mana cost to get onto the battlefield, the Maelstrom Colossus may not be the first pick for players seeking immediate board impact. In fast-paced games, the cost to bring the Colossus into play could prove to be slower than desired when competing against decks looking to win quickly.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Maelstrom Colossus offers a dynamic addition to decks that thrive on casting spells without paying their mana costs. This behemoth can seamlessly fit into cascade or big mana strategies, enhancing your ability to turn the tides of the game.

Combo Potential: The cascade ability inherent to Maelstrom Colossus pairs beautifully with deck mechanics that amplify spell casting or abuse enter-the-battlefield triggers. Integrating this card could unlock new synergies and empower existing combos within your repertoire.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where longer games are standard, Maelstrom Colossus can be a game-changer. Given its ability to potentially cast high-impact spells for free, it can quickly escalate the board state in your favor against more deliberate, control-oriented decks.

How to beat

Maelstrom Colossus brings an impressive presence to the battlefield with its cascade effect, allowing players to potentially cast a spell for free from their deck. Confronting this eight-mana behemoth offers a strategic challenge that requires a blend of timing and resource management. The key to overcoming the Maelstrom Colossus lies in disruptiveness and control. Removal spells such as Murder, Path to Exile, or Terminate offer straightforward solutions to send the Colossus packing before its cascade effect can overwhelm the board.

Counterspells also play a pivotal role; countering the Colossus itself prevents any cascade from happening. However, if the cascade triggers a troubling spell, having a counter ready for that follow-up can mitigate the impact. Board wipes, like Day of Judgment or Damnation, can clear the way post-cascade and reset the board state. Efficient, low-cost answers such as these are valuable in maintaining control against high-impact cards like the Maelstrom Colossus.

Maintaining mana for these responses is essential, so it’s advisable to manage resources wisely while playing against decks that potentially house the Colossus. In essence, timeliness and preparedness are your best companions in prevailing against the raw power of the Maelstrom Colossus.

BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG isn’t just about owning powerful cards—it’s about understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and their place in your deck strategy. Maelstrom Colossus is a true force when its cascade ability is fully exploited, granting card advantage and potential board dominance. However, its high mana cost and specific casting requirements urge players to be judicious with deck inclusion. If you’re intrigued by the promise of what Maelstrom Colossus can do within your deck and appreciate contemplating the strategy behind its play, let us guide you through the nuances of cascading your way to victory. Explore with us and enhance your MTG expertise.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maelstrom Colossus MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends, 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 Maelstrom Colossus and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Maelstrom Colossus has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2021-06-18	A spell's mana value is determined only by its mana cost. Ignore any alternative costs, additional costs, cost increases, or cost reductions.
2021-06-18	Cascade triggers when you cast the spell, meaning that it resolves before that spell. If you end up casting the exiled card, it will go on the stack above the spell with cascade.
2021-06-18	Due to a 2021 rules change to cascade, not only do you stop exiling cards if you exile a nonland card with lesser mana value than the spell with cascade, but the resulting spell you cast must also have lesser mana value. Previously, in cases where a card's mana value differed from the resulting spell, such as with some modal double-faced cards or cards with an Adventure, you could cast a spell with a higher mana value than the exiled card.
2021-06-18	If a spell with cascade is countered, the cascade ability will still resolve normally.
2021-06-18	If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
2021-06-18	If you cast a card "without paying its mana cost," you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those to cast the card.
2021-06-18	The mana value of a split card is determined by the combined mana cost of its two halves. If cascade allows you to cast a split card, you may cast either half but not both halves.
2021-06-18	When the cascade ability resolves, you must exile cards. The only optional part of the ability is whether or not you cast the last card exiled.
2021-06-18	You exile the cards face up. All players will be able to see them.