Carnival // Carnage MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2019-01-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica Allegiance |
| Set code | RNA |
| Number | 222 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Split |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zoltan Boros |
Key Takeaways
- Offers damage or disruption, enabling strategic play based on the current game state.
- Multifaceted utility in aggressive and control-attempts, adapting to player strategies.
- Despite drawbacks, remains a potent choice for decks that benefit from its effects.
Text of card
Carnage deals 3 damage to target opponent. That player discards two cards.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: By casting Carnival, you get the benefit of dealing damage to a creature or planeswalker while also drawing a card if Carnage is discarded. This dual-mode flexibility ensures you get value even if only half of the card is utilized.
Resource Acceleration: Carnage disrupts your opponent’s hand, forcing them to discard two cards. When used effectively, this can set back their game plan and allow you to pull ahead, turning the tide in your favor.
Instant Speed: The split nature of Carnival // Carnage offers the utility of playing an instant-speed removal spell with the ability to ping creatures or planeswalkers. This enables you to efficiently manage your resources and respond to threats as they emerge.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Carnival // Carnage requires you to discard cards, which can sometimes put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already depleted or if you’re relying on a particular card strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This split card demands a precise mana combination to cast either half, which can be a hurdle for players not running a deck optimized for black and red mana, thus restricting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the impact it delivers, this card’s mana cost is on the higher side. There are alternatives that inflict damage or cause discard at a lower mana value, potentially offering a better cost-to-benefit ratio in a fast-paced game.
Reasons to Include Carnival // Carnage in Your Collection
Versatility: Carnival // Carnage offers flexible gameplay options, with its early-game damage potential or mid-game disruption. This two-in-one card adapts to various situations, fitting into aggressive decks as well as those looking to disrupt opponents’ hands.
Combo Potential: The versatility on this split card works well with strategies that capitalize on both dealing damage and discarding, enabling synergies in decks that reward you for either action or both simultaneously.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where small creatures are prevalent, Carnival can control the board early on. Meanwhile, Carnage provides an edge against control decks by forcing hand disruption and applying pressure, making it a relevant choice in diverse meta scenarios.
How to beat
Carnival // Carnage is a versatile split card that players can encounter in Magic: The Gathering. This card offers two distinct modes, each beneficial under different game circumstances. Carnival provides a low-cost option to deal damage to a creature or planeswalker while potentially pinging an opponent. Carnage, on the other hand, forces a player to discard two cards, disrupting hand advantage.
Defending against Carnival // Carnage hinges on strategic resource management. For Carnival, proactively using creatures with toughness higher than 1 can negate its effectiveness, as it can only deal 1 damage. Alternatively, playing creatures with abilities that trigger upon being targeted can turn this seemingly hostile action to your advantage. Against Carnage, keeping your hand size low and utilizing cards that benefit from being discarded or that can be played from the graveyard can reduce the impact of its discard effect. Utilizing instant speed draw spells can also help replenish your hand. Cards with the “flash” attribute can further aid in maintaining card advantage, providing you with reactive options against both parts of Carnival // Carnage.
A disciplined approach to your game, shrewd usage of spells and creatures, and an awareness of the card’s limitations are effective methods to dampen the disruption caused by this dual-faced menace.
Cards like Carnival // Carnage
The dynamic nature of the Carnival // Carnage split card from MTG offers flexibility, much like other versatile spells in the game. For instance, when examining Carnival, its closest relative might be Shock, as both deal a small amount of damage to a target creature or planeswalker. However, the brilliance of Carnival lies in its adaptability, enabling a player to respond immediately with Carnage if the situation calls for a more aggressive play.
On the other hand, Carnage’s effect echoes that of Blightning, offering both damage and discard in one spell. While Blightning forces the opponent to discard two cards, Carnage ups the ante by causing them to discard three cards and inflicts a heftier amount of damage. Still, Carnage’s downside is its higher mana cost in comparison to Blightning’s more economical casting value.
In essence, the versatile nature of Carnival // Carnage places it in a unique position within MTG’s pantheon of modal and discard spells. It strikes an intriguing balance between immediate impact and long-term disruption, making it a card worthy of consideration for decks that aim to keep the opposition off-kilter.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Carnival // Carnage MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Carnival // Carnage and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Carnival // Carnage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Carnival // Carnage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-01-25 | If the target permanent is an illegal target by the time Carnival tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. No player is dealt damage. |
| 2019-01-25 | If the target player is an illegal target by the time Carnage tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. No player discards. |
