Maelstrom Wanderer MTG Card

Advantage through cascade ramps up gameplay, putting multiple spells into play without their mana costs. Creates a commanding presence by accelerating resources and giving creatures haste for immediate impact. Casting Maelstrom Wanderer requires a carefully tuned mana base due to specific color demands.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Elemental
Abilities Cascade
Power 7
Toughness 5

Text of card

Creatures you control have haste. Cascade, 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 in a random order. Then do it again.)

Cards like Maelstrom Wanderer

The Maelstrom Wanderer’s entrance on the battlefield resonates with power in the MTG universe. Its kinship with other cascading commanders, like Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder, is apparent. Both share the cascade mechanic, but Maelstrom Wanderer excels with two cascades and its ability to give your creatures haste. This compares favorably to Yidris, which requires combat damage to a player to trigger cascade for spells.

Another comparable card is Etali, Primal Storm, which also generates significant advantage from casting spells for free. However, Etali pulls from the top of all players’ libraries, providing a different angle of unpredictability. While Maelstrom Wanderer requires an eight mana investment, the immediate impact of cascading twice and enhancing your creatures’ speed can be game-ending. On the other hand, Etali’s lower cost means it may hit the board sooner but lacks the immediate punch of multiple free spells and the haste bonus.

Ultimately, Maelstrom Wanderer stands out among similar MTG commanders for its ability to dramatically swing the game as soon as it’s cast, arguably surpassing others in raw game-changing potential and earning its spot as a favored enigmatic force on the players’ decks.

Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions
Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Creative TechniqueCreative Technique LegacyCreative TechniqueLegacy League 2024-03-27
Temur CascadeTemur Cascade LegacyCreative Technique*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:30 pm

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The cascading ability of Maelstrom Wanderer ensures you not only cast it but potentially two additional spells without paying their mana costs. This can lead to a significant leap in card advantage, rapidly changing the dynamics of the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Despite its high casting cost, Maelstrom Wanderer acts as a form of resource acceleration. Once on the battlefield, it grants your creatures haste, allowing for immediate impact and potential mana-free actions that can lead to a commanding board presence.

Instant Speed: While Maelstrom Wanderer itself does not operate at instant speed, the spells cascaded into can be. This unpredictability can catch opponents off-guard, especially if those cascaded spells are instants, providing strategic advantages during crucial moments of play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Maelstrom Wanderer does not require discarding as a cost, players must be aware that cascading into certain spells could inadvertently force a discard, potentially leading to an unintended self-sabotage if hand management isn’t prioritized.

Specific Mana Cost: This commander dictates an exacting color wedge, demanding one red, one blue, and one green mana plus five of any color. This stringent mana requirement can make it challenging for players to cast Maelstrom Wanderer consistently without a heavily optimized mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an eight-mana cost, Maelstrom Wanderer is a high-investment play. In fast-paced games, spending such a large amount of resources on a single card could put players at a disadvantage, particularly if they’re facing aggressive, low-cost strategies.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Maelstrom Wanderer thrives in Commander decks craving a sudden impact on the board. This card aligns well with strategies seeking to cast large, game-altering spells without the usual mana constraints.

Combo Potential: Maelstrom Wanderer’s cascade ability allows for multiple spells to be cast in a single play. This opens up a plethora of combo possibilities, fitting seamlessly into decks built around harnessing the power of casting numerous spells for free.

Meta-Relevance: Given its power to quickly change the dynamics of a game, Maelstrom Wanderer remains relevant in various metagames. It’s particularly potent in a meta where players don’t expect such an immediate, high-impact play, enabling it to swing games in your favor unexpectedly.

How to Beat

The Maelstrom Wanderer is a powerhouse in the MTG world, known for giving your creatures a haste advantage while cascading into other spells. To effectively counter this card, board wipes like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can be crucial since they can clear multiple threats, including the Wanderer itself, in a single move. Counterspells are another effective strategy; having one ready for when the Wanderer is cast can save you from a cascade of trouble. Spot removal isn’t as effective due to the cascade effect, but exile effects or cards like “Swords to Plowshares” can help mitigate the damage.

Strategic deck building is essential – including versatile answers like “Counterspell” or “Mystical Dispute” to deal with not just the Wanderer but also the spells that may follow. Remember, disrupting the opponent’s mana base with land destruction or cards like “Blood Moon” can also prevent the Wanderer from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Being prepared for what the Wanderer can bring to the table will go a long way in ensuring victory.

BurnMana Recommendations

The voyage into the MTG realm with Maelstrom Wanderer showcases the thrilling blend of might and magic on the battlefield. This enigmatic force not only amplifies your game with sheer power but also unleashes a wave of potential with each cascading spell. Your deck’s capability magnifies, forging paths to victory with each spell revealed. With the insights provided, a tailor-made approach to harness Maelstrom Wanderer’s untamed energy could be the keystone to your command. Embrace the chaos, refine your strategy, and discover the depths of your deck’s prowess. Dare to command the storm? Step forward and explore the multitude of possibilities that Maelstrom Wanderer and MTG offer to enthusiasts like you.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maelstrom Wanderer MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Planechase 2012, 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 Wanderer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Maelstrom Wanderer Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2012-06-01 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 861902015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
22012-06-01Planechase 2012PC2 1012003NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
32012-11-02Commander's ArsenalCM1 112003NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
42015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 1102015NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
52016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 2042015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
62016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 1012015NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
72020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 5262015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
82023-08-04Commander Masters Art SeriesACMM 582015Art seriesBorderless
92023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5832015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
102023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 3442015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
112023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6842015NormalBorderlessBenjamin Ee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Maelstrom Wanderer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 Each instance of cascade triggers and resolves separately. The spell you cast due to the first cascade ability will go on the stack on top of the second cascade ability. That spell will resolve before you exile cards for the second cascade ability.
2020-11-10 Maelstrom Wanderer gives itself haste.
2020-11-10 No matter what spell you cast with the first cascade trigger (or with any cascade triggers that result from casting that spell), the second cascade trigger will look for a spell with mana value less than Maelstrom Wanderer's mana value of 8.
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.