Orcish Cannonade MTG Card

Orcish Cannonade excels at removing threats and accelerating control over the game. Playing this card requires careful hand management due to the discard cost. Its distinct blend of damage and card draw adds unique value to a deck.

Time Spiral (TSP)
2006-10-06 - Number 172

Conspiracy (CNS)
2014-06-06 - Number 148

Orcish Cannonade - Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning (DDN)

Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning (DDN)
2014-09-05 - Number 28

Orcish Cannonade - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 1021

Orcish Cannonade - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)

Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
2021-03-19 - Number 178

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number DDN-28

Card sets	Released in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Orcish Cannonade deals 2 damage to target creature or player and 3 damage to you. Draw a card.

"Crispy! Scarback! Load another volcano-ball." —Stumphobbler Thuj, Orcish captain

Cards like Orcish Cannonade

Orcish Cannonade offers a unique blend of damage and card draw for players in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This card parallels the functionality of instant spells like Lightning Bolt, a classic that deals three damage to any target at a low cost of one red mana. However, Lightning Bolt does not facilitate card draw. Orcish Cannonade stands out by allowing a player to draw a card but at the cost of dealing damage to one of your own creatures or to yourself, adding a strategic layer to its use.

Another relatable spell is Incendiary Flow, which provides three damage as well, yet with the added advantage of exile if a creature is dealt lethal damage. Unlike Orcish Cannonade, Incendiary Flow does not prompt a card draw but instead focuses on preventing graveyard interactions, a significant tactical consideration. Then there’s Risk Factor, a dynamic choice that combines damage with the potentiality of card draw through its Jump-Start ability but it relies on an opponent’s choice, which can be a double-edged sword.

When evaluating direct damage spells that balance additional effects, Orcish Cannonade is a compelling option for players who value both immediate impact and the longer-term benefits of drawing a card, despite its self-inflicting damage cost.

Cards similar to Orcish Cannonade by color, type and mana cost

Merchant of the Vale // Haggle - MTG Card versions

Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions

Flames of the Blood Hand - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Orcish Cannonade offers a draw mechanism, granting you an extra card which can be pivotal in prolonged matches or when searching for key deck components.

Resource Acceleration: It deals damage which can help remove small threats from the board, effectively accelerating your path to control the game state.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Orcish Cannonade at instant speed allows you to adapt to the battlefield dynamically, responding to your opponent’s moves or capitalizing on the end of their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in combat with Orcish Cannonade necessitates pitching another card from your hand. This can be especially taxing when your hand is nearly empty, leaving you at a strategic disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Orcish Cannonade demands a precise mana arrangement to cast—one red and one generic mana—which can be restrictive. This requisite largely confines it to red-centric or two-color decks that can comfortably accommodate the red mana source.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the cost-efficiency of your spells, Orcish Cannonade’s mana investment might seem steep. At three mana, it competes with a multitude of alternative spells which may offer more bang for your buck, either through direct damage or other utility without the additional cost of discarding a card.

Reasons to Include Orcish Cannonade in Your Collection

Versatility: Orcish Cannonade offers a dual benefit by dealing damage to creatures or players while also drawing you a card. It’s an efficient inclusion in decks that aim to control the board and maintain card advantage.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in decks that thrive on instants and sorceries, potentially triggering prowess or other abilities that care about noncreature spells being cast. Plus, the incidental card draw can help dig deeper into your library for combo pieces.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where small creatures are prevalent, Orcish Cannonade can serve as a useful removal tool. Additionally, its ability to target players makes it relevant for closing out games or disrupting strategies that rely on a stable life total.

How to beat

Orcish Cannonade is a unique instant spell in Magic: The Gathering that deals damage to both a creature and the spell’s caster. However, it has a downside that savvy players can exploit. Since it also inflicts damage to the player who casts it, timing is key when you’re looking to counter its effects. Playing lifegain spells like Rest for the Weary or utilizing damage prevention cards such as Ethereal Haze can help negate the self-inflicted damage and leave your opponent with a depleted hand and a fruitless assault.

Moreover, it is essential to keep in mind that Orcish Cannonade requires a target creature to cast. This opens an opportunity to outmaneuver your opponent by making their creatures indestructible for the turn with spells like Boros Charm, or simply by not having creatures on the board when you sense the threat of such a spell. In turn, this could force your opponent to target their own creatures, turning their offensive move into a setback.

Ultimately, facing an Orcish Cannonade calls for a fine balance of defensive tactics and timing, utilizing both damage prevention and strategic creature management to turn the tables on an opponent who’s banking on this fiery instant to clear the way.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orcish Cannonade MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Conspiracy, 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 Orcish Cannonade and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Orcish Cannonade Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2006-10-06	Time Spiral	TSP	172	2003	Normal	Black	Pete Venters
2	2014-06-06	Conspiracy	CNS	148	2003	Normal	Black	Pete Venters
3	2014-09-05	Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning	DDN	28	2015	Normal	Black	Pete Venters
4	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	1021	2015	Normal	Black	Pete Venters
5	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	DDN-28	2015	Normal	Black	Pete Venters
6	2021-03-19	Time Spiral Remastered	TSR	178	2015	Normal	Black	Chris Seaman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Orcish Cannonade has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2021-03-19	If the chosen target is an illegal target by the time Orcish Cannonade tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. You don’t draw a card, but you also don’t take 3 damage.