Cacophodon MTG Card


Cacophodon - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Enrage
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Power 2
Toughness 5
Number123
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohann Bodin

Key Takeaways

  1. Capitalizing on Cacophodon’s untap ability can significantly enhance card advantage and resource management.
  2. While flexible in some strategies, its specific mana requirements may limit deck-building options.
  3. Comparative mana cost and discard requirements must be weighed against its potential on-field benefits.

Text of card

Enrage — Whenever Cacophodon is dealt damage, untap target permanent.

When a cacophodon is angry, the whole jungle knows.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Cacophodon becomes untapped, you have the potential to trigger various permanents’ abilities, effectively leveraging more actions and value out of your cards on the battlefield—potentially leading to advantageous board states.

Resource Acceleration: Coupling Cacophodon with cards that tap for mana can provide additional uses of those resources. This might not be direct acceleration but creates optimal conditions for using your mana resources more than once per turn cycle.

Instant Speed: Though Cacophodon doesn’t inherently have abilities at instant speed, it pairs well with instant-speed spells that untap creatures. This synergistic relationship can catch opponents off-guard and maximize both card advantage and resource acceleration unexpectedly during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cacophodon necessitates a discard when attempting to maximize its potential. This can backfire when your hand is already depleted, effectively narrowing strategic options and hindering your board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: This prehistoric creature demands a particular blend of mana, with green being essential. This cost can be a bottleneck in multicolored decks seeking a versatile mana base, especially in formats where mana efficiency is paramount.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at four mana, Cacophodon’s cost is steep when compared to other options at similar mana points. In a competitive landscape, players might opt for cards that offer immediate impact or lower-cost creatures that fit into a streamlined mana curve.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cacophodon thrives in decks that capitalize on enrage mechanics or where creatures benefit from being targeted and taking damage. Its ability to untap lands provides an opportunity for more strategic plays in a turn.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that deal damage to all creatures, this dinosaur from the Rivals of Ixalan set allows for a powerful synergy to unlock numerous land untaps in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where small damage effects are prevalent, Cacophodon’s ability can be particularly useful. It shines in metas where controlling opponents through land interaction is a viable path to victory.


How to beat Cacophodon

Cacophodon, the formidable creature card from Magic: The Gathering’s set Rivals of Ixalan, provides a unique challenge with its enrage ability that triggers whenever it’s dealt damage. Unlike other creatures where direct damage is preferable, attacking Cacophodon indiscriminately may cause issues by untapping a permanent your opponent controls. This may lead to unexpected mana acceleration or the activation of other abilities at inopportune moments.

To effectively counter Cacophodon, players should consider removal spells that bypass the enrage trigger, such as those causing exile or reducing its toughness to zero. Look towards spells like Path to Exile or Settle the Wreckage which can handle the creature without triggering its abilities. Alternatively, controlling the board with enchantments like Deep Freeze can neutralize Cacophodon without having to destroy it. It’s vital to strategize around this potential pitfall, as your conventional removal spells might play right into your opponent’s strategy, turning Cacophodon from a mere creature on the board into a recurring problem.

Thus, a blend of thoughtful play and the right removal spells are key in dealing with Cacophodon effectively. Engage with the game’s complexity by planning around your opponent’s strategies, making Cacophodon less of a threat and more of a manageable obstacle within the diverse world of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of MTG is crucial, and Cacophodon exemplifies the strategic depth the game offers. Whether you’re integrating its enrage mechanism for valuable untaps or cleverly comboing to maximize value, this creature can enhance your gameplay. Remember though, with its specific needs, it isn’t a fit for every deck. However, if your playstyle or deck theme aligns with what Cacophodon offers, it could be the linchpin in your strategic arsenal. Curious about optimizing Cacophodon’s potential in your deck or seeking similar impactful creatures? Dive deeper with us and enrich your MTG experience!


Cards like Cacophodon

Cacophodon is a unique creature card that carves its niche within the MTG realm. When we look toward other cards like Rumbling Baloth or Woolly Loxodon, the parallels begin to emerge. Rumbling Baloth is straightforward—a solid body for the mana investment, much like our Cacophodon. Yet, despite their similarities, Cacophodon presents an intriguing enrage mechanic that isn’t found in the Rumbling Baloth’s list of abilities, paving the way for different strategic plays.

Woolly Loxodon, comparable in its might, brings the morph mechanic into play, giving you the flexibility to surprise your opponent mid-game. However, Cacophodon’s ability to untap a permanent when damaged could potentially offer recurring advantages every turn, a facet absent from Woolly Loxodon’s skill set. It’s a subtle yet significant distinction that defines Cacophodon’s tactical role on the battlefield.

Assessing Cacophodon against its kin in the MTG universe, its capability to unlock continual benefits via the enrage trigger can be a game-changer in matches where damage is frequently dealt. This factor alone can tip the scales, making Cacophodon a worthwhile consideration for decks that capitalize on damage-based strategies.

Rumbling Baloth - MTG Card versions
Woolly Loxodon - MTG Card versions
Rumbling Baloth - MTG Card versions
Woolly Loxodon - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cacophodon MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Cacophodon and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cacophodon has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-01-19 If lethal damage is dealt to a creature with an enrage ability, that ability triggers. The creature with that enrage ability leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, so it won’t be affected by the resolving ability.
2018-01-19 If multiple sources deal damage to a creature with an enrage ability at the same time, most likely because multiple creatures blocked that creature, the enrage ability triggers only once.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
See more decks