Maelstrom Nexus MTG Card

Maelstrom Nexus offers unparalleled card advantage with its unique cascade feature for the first spell each turn. Spells can be cast efficiently, utilizing resources effectively and outpacing your opponent’s strategy. Despite its mana diversity challenge, Nexus’s potential for powerful gameplay makes it a collection must-have.

Alara Reborn (ARB)
2009-04-30 - Number 130

Maelstrom Nexus - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)

Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
2020-03-08 - Number 88

Double Masters (2XM)
2020-08-07 - Number 206

Maelstrom Nexus - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)

Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
2022-09-09 - Number 159

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number ARB-130

Card sets	Released in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Mythic
Type	Enchantment

Text of card

The first spell you play each turn has cascade. (When you play your first spell, remove cards from the top of your library from the game until you remove a nonland card that costs less. You may play it without paying its mana cost. Put the removed cards on the bottom in a random order.)

Cards like Maelstrom Nexus

Maelstrom Nexus stands out in the realm of enchantments that escalate the power of your spells in MTG. This five-color identity card ensures that the first spell you cast each turn gains the cascade mechanic, allowing you to cast an additional spell from your deck free of cost if its mana value is less. It closely resembles enchantments like Sunbird’s Invocation, which lets you dig through your deck for a card to cast for free after casting a spell of greater value.

While both enchantments focus on generating value from casting spells, Maelstrom Nexus is unique in its guarantee of cascade each turn. In contrast, other similar options, like Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder, require combat damage to a player to trigger cascade. This adds an element of unpredictability and a need for creature combat that is negated by the Nexus’s more certain effect.

Ultimately, Maelstrom Nexus invites players into an explosive realm of playstyle that rewards diversifying the spells in one’s deck. Its fixed cascade trigger gives it a reliable edge over other cards offering similar effects, making it a staple for players eager to harness the power of surprise and free-casting spells.

Sunbird's Invocation - MTG Card versions

Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder - MTG Card versions

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

Esika, God of the Tree // The Prismatic Bridge - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Maelstrom Nexus stands out as a powerhouse in enabling card advantage due to its unique cascading ability. Each first spell you cast each turn reveals cards from the top of your deck until you exile a nonland card with a lower mana cost, which you can cast without paying its mana cost. This provides a significant edge in games by effectively doubling your castings.

Resource Acceleration: Although Maelstrom Nexus itself doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it accelerates your resource use significantly. By allowing free casting through the cascade mechanic, you effectively utilize available mana resources more efficiently. This leads to explosive turns where you can deploy multiple threats earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: Maelstrom Nexus’s impact is not at instant speed, yet it vastly improves your instant-speed interactions. With cascading into potentially any spell in your deck, you increase the chances of hitting an instant you can use reactively, thus keeping opponents on their toes and expanding your capability to respond to threats or opportunities in real time.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Maelstrom Nexus enchantment itself does not demand card discard, players often must manage their hand carefully to make the most of its cascade ability. Thus, it may inadvertently lead to a thinning hand, especially if the deck isn’t built to replenish it effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: The Nexus requires a diverse mana base with one of each color to cast. This can be challenging for players to accommodate, particularly in formats where mana fixing is less accessible or slower to set up.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a full five mana across a spectrum of colors to play, Maelstrom Nexus has a high upfront investment. When deck efficiency is key, the cost might seem steep, especially against decks aiming to win quickly or disrupt early plays.

Reasons to Include Maelstrom Nexus in Your Collection

Versatility: Maelstrom Nexus stands out with its ability to enhance any multicolor deck, offering you a first spell each turn with cascade, which could cast anything from a pesky removal spell to a game-changing permanent without paying its mana cost.

Combo Potential: This enchantment pairs beautifully with high mana spells and deck manipulation strategies. Imagine cascading into unexpected combos, multiplying your on-board threats with each cast – the potential for powerful synergies is endless.

Meta-Relevance: In a diversifying meta, Maelstrom Nexus offers a unique axis of play. Against predictable decks, it can break the usual pace, forcing opponents to adapt to a more chaotic playstyle that this card promotes, thereby elevating your adaptive plays to counteract the current trends.

How to beat

Maelstrom Nexus is a powerful enchantment in Magic: The Gathering, capable of giving its controller a significant advantage by allowing them to cascade into additional spells every turn. Overcoming the momentum generated by Maelstrom Nexus requires a strategic approach, emphasizing efficient removal and disruption. Dealing with this card often hinges on being able to remove it from the battlefield swiftly, before your opponent can capitalize on its potent effect.

Cards like Disenchant or Nature’s Claim are examples of effective answers, offering a quick and low-cost solution to eliminate Maelstrom Nexus. Playing around cascade triggers is another tactic, considering counterspells for the incoming spells as they’re cast. By keeping counter magic or instant-speed removal in hand, you can mitigate the impact of each cascaded spell. Lastly, pressuring your opponent’s life total or advancing your board state significantly can divert their resources away from fully utilizing Maelstrom Nexus’s cascade potential, giving you an opening to gain the upper hand.

In essence, ensuring your deck contains a mix of direct enchantment removal and flexible response options will greatly improve your chances of dismantling the threat posed by Maelstrom Nexus, putting you back on the path to victory.

BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves understanding not just individual cards but how they interact within your deck to secure wins. Maelstrom Nexus has the potential to massively boost your in-game strategy, offering value and versatility. Clearly, crafting a deck that maximizes its cascade effect can lead to dominating plays. If adapting your game to a more dynamic, multi-hued approach appeals to you, consider integrating this enchantment into your collection. Want to fully harness the chaotic yet powerful nature of Maelstrom Nexus and navigate the shifting tides of the MTG metagame? Dive deeper with us and unlock new levels of play creativity. Learn more and transform your game approach today.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maelstrom Nexus MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils, 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 Nexus and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Maelstrom Nexus Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2009-04-30	Alara Reborn	ARB	130	2003	Normal	Black	Steven Belledin
2	2020-03-08	Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils	FMB1	88	2003	Normal	Black	Steven Belledin
3	2020-08-07	Double Masters	2XM	206	2015	Normal	Black	Steven Belledin
4	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	ARB-130	2003	Normal	Black	Steven Belledin
5	2022-09-09	Dominaria United Commander	DMC	159	2015	Normal	Black	Steven Belledin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Maelstrom Nexus has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2020-08-07	If the first spell you cast in a turn already has cascade, both cascade abilities will trigger separately. Deal with them one at a time: First one cascade ability will resolve, and you'll cast the applicable card if you want. That new spell will resolve. Then the other cascade ability will resolve in the same way. Finally, the original spell will resolve.
2020-08-07	This effect takes into account spells that were cast earlier in the turn before Maelstrom Nexus entered the battlefield, including any spells still on the stack. If you've already cast any spells that turn (including Maelstrom Nexus itself), this ability won't give any of your spells cascade that turn.
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 recent 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.