Orcish Cannoneers MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 205
2001-12-01 - Number 17
2008-09-22 - Number 138
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Orc Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
oc T: Orcish Cannoneers deals 2 damage to target creature or player and 3 damage to you.
"It's a thankless job, and you'll probably die in an explosion. But the pay is pretty good." —Toothlicker Harj, Orcish Captain
Cards like Orcish Cannoneers
Orcish Cannoneers serve as a unique twist on the creature-based removal arsenal in Magic: The Gathering. They share common ground with cards such as Prodigal Pyromancer, which offers the ability to ping creatures or players for one damage. Unlike Prodigal Pyromancer, Orcish Cannoneers have a built-in drawback requiring the sacrifice of a Mountain to deal the damage, but they compensate with a heftier three damage punch.
Another comparable card is Cunning Sparkmage, which can also tap to do one damage without a cost, making it more economical for consistent use. However, it doesn’t rival the raw damage output that the Orcish Cannoneers can deliver in a single activation. On the flip side, Kumano, Master Yamabushi goes a step beyond, allowing damage to be dealt without the need for a tap but at a higher mana investment and without the specific land sacrifice requirement of the Cannoneers.
Ultimately, Orcish Cannoneers find their place in the metagame as a powerful yet costly removal option. Their ability to deal a significant three damage sets them apart, presenting a unique option for players who can navigate around its land sacrifice downside effectively in their MTG strategies.
Cards similar to Orcish Cannoneers by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Orcish Cannoneers provide a unique form of card advantage by allowing you to inflict damage while controlling the board. This can lead to decluttering the battlefield while maintaining your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Though not direct acceleration, the potential to remove key threats can accelerate your game plan indirectly, as it allows your other resources to stay focused on progression rather than defense.
Instant Speed: While Orcish Cannoneers operate at sorcery speed, their ability still offers the strategic advantage of timing. Dealing damage during your turn sets up potential openings for your instants and other quick effects to finish the job without delay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Orcish Cannoneers require you to sacrifice a mountain as part of the casting cost which can set back your land development and slow down your gameplay, especially in the early stages.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s need for both red and generic mana may not be an ideal fit for multicolor decks striving for mana efficiency or those not centered around red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value being notably high for its damage output, players may find Orcish Cannoneers less appealing compared to other direct damage spells that offer similar effects for less mana, thus impacting its overall utility in a deck.
Reasons to Include Orcish Cannoneers in Your Collection
Versatility: Orcish Cannoneers offers a unique blend of direct damage and board control. This card can slide into different red-based decks, adept at picking off smaller creatures or finishing off weakened opponents.
Combo Potential: With the ability to deal damage not just to creatures but also players, Orcish Cannoneers pairs well with cards that capitalize on damage triggers, enhancing decks that thrive on such interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fast-paced nature of the game, having a tool that can manage early threats while still being a late-game asset makes Orcish Cannoneers a relevant choice against various deck archetypes.
How to beat
Orcish Cannoneers is an intriguing card that adds explosive power to the board in Magic: The Gathering. This card is noteworthy for its ability to deal direct damage to creatures. However, keep in mind that utilizing Orcish Cannoneers comes with the price of damaging your own lands as well as the targeted creatures. This self-inflicted land damage is the key to outmaneuvering Orcish Cannoneers.
When facing Orcish Cannoneers, it’s essential to recognize the opportunity cost your opponent faces. Each use not only diminishes their creature board but also their land base, potentially hindering their mana development. Capitalize on this by maintaining creature pressure, forcing them to trade resource for resource – your creatures for their lands. Additionally, focus on swift, low-cost creatures to overwhelm Orcish Cannoneers who are hindered by their own destructive nature.
Moreover, enchantments like Pacifism can render Orcish Cannoneers ineffective, neutralizing them without triggering their ability. Shielding your creatures with hexproof or indestructibility ensures their longevity against the cannoneers’ blasts. In essence, the trick lies in leveraging the Cannoneers’ drawback to your advantage, pressuring your opponent into a precarious balance between offense and conservation of their own play area.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Orcish Cannoneers MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Deckmasters, 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 Cannoneers and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Orcish Cannoneers Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 205 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 2001-12-01 | Deckmasters | DKM | 17 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 138 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Orcish Cannoneers has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |