Mogg Cannon MTG Card


Mogg Cannon provides card advantage by reusing creature abilities and maintaining resources. Its instant speed activation offers flexibility and unexpected combat dynamics. Despite its utility, Mogg Cannon’s specific mana needs and discard cost pose certain drawbacks.
Mogg Cannon - Tempest
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Released1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set nameTempest
Set codeTMP
Number298
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMike Raabe

Text of card

oc T: Target creature you control gets +1/+0 and gains flying until end of turn. At end of turn, destroy that creature.

Moggs never volunteer for anything twice.


Unpacking Mogg Cannon’s Unique Role

Mogg Cannon adds an innovative dynamic to the arsenal of creature-based strategies in MTG. The card is reminiscent of the Goblin Bombardment, a perennial favorite that allows players to sacrifice a creature for direct damage to any target. While both cards harness the power of creatures to inflict damage, Mogg Cannon differs by requiring the creature to be tapped in order to activate its ability, a subtlety that can affect how a turn is orchestrated.

Cards like Mogg Cannon

When examining Mogg Cannon’s place in MTG, it earns distinction through its singular ability to utilize tapped creatures. Compared to the likes of Makeshift Munitions, which demands a sacrifice and offers damage perished creature, Mogg Cannon allows for reuse of creatures as long as they can be tapped repeatedly. Another analogy might be the Barrage of Expendables, offering a similar sacrifice outlet for recurring damage; yet Mogg Cannon does not consume the creature, setting the stage for a different tactical advantage.

Delving further, we find the Fling spell, leveraging the creature’s power to deal damage at the cost of losing the creature, highlighting Mogg Cannon’s purpose in a more conservative, yet reusable combat strategy. These comparisons illuminate how Mogg Cannon provides a distinctive blend of aggression and resourcefulness, carving its own niche in MTG’s diverse playstyles.

Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Makeshift Munitions - MTG Card versions
Barrage of Expendables - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Makeshift Munitions - MTG Card versions
Barrage of Expendables - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions

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

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Can recur specific creatures from your graveyard to hand, ensuring you not only maintain your creature count but potentially reuse their enter-the-battlefield abilities. It’s an effective way to ensure you’re not falling behind in terms of resources.

Resource Acceleration: Enables you to convert smaller creatures into more threatening board states quickly. By sacrificing a low-value creature to bring a higher-powered one into play, the Mogg Cannon can effectively act as a ramp mechanism in a creature-centric strategy.

Instant Speed: As a card that can be activated at instant speed, it allows for surprise combat tricks or the ability to dodge removal by returning a creature to your hand before it gets destroyed. This flexibility makes the card a more dynamic part of your strategy, creating complex situations for your opponent to navigate.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Mogg Cannon is having to discard a card to activate its ability. This can be a significant downside when you are already behind in the game and have a dwindling hand size, hindering your ability to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Mogg Cannon comes with a specific mana cost that requires both red and colorless mana. This requirement makes it less flexible and can potentially disrupt the mana curve in decks not heavily focused on red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Mogg Cannon’s activation cost is relatively high when considering the effect it provides. In a format where efficiency is key, the mana spent on getting Mogg Cannon’s ability on the board could be allocated to more impactful spells or creatures that offer a better cost-to-effect ratio.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mogg Cannon is a unique addition that can slide into numerous decks. With its ability to turn small creatures into direct damage, it broadens the tactical avenues available to a player, particularly for those that appreciate an aggressive strategy.

Combo Potential: The card opens up explosive combinations with decks that quickly flood the board with creatures. Utilizing this potential, players can convert excess tokens or utility creatures into unexpected sources of damage, catching opponents off guard.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Mogg Cannon can become an essential sideboard card or even a main deck piece. It can surprise unprepared opponents and disrupt their pace, making it a valuable asset in the current metagame landscape.


How to beat

Mogg Cannon is an intriguing artifact card that can launch an unexpected assault on your opponent in Magic: The Gathering. Deceiving in its simplicity, this card enables players to fling creatures at the opponent, potentially disrupting their strategy. While it may not seem threatening at first glance, underestimating its impact could lead to a surprise upset.

To effectively counter Mogg Cannon, consider using instant-speed removal spells to disrupt the combo before it can be activated. Artifact destruction spells are also a prime choice to eliminate the Cannon from play. Moreover, taking advantage of creature removal can reduce the number of potential ‘ammunition’ available for the Cannon’s ability. Ensnaring Bridge and cards that limit the number of attacks can also mitigate the Cannon’s effectiveness by controlling the number of potential attackers.

Ambush strategies can be particularly vulnerable when facing Mogg Cannon. By keeping your removal cards reserved for crucial moments when your opponent commits to the Cannon’s ability, you maintain the upper hand. Remember, the key to outmaneuvering Mogg Cannon lies in timing and an arsenal of disruption at your disposal within your deck’s strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mogg Cannon MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Mogg Cannon and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mogg Cannon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal