War Cadence MTG Card

War Cadence’s instant speed allows surprise combat alterations, offering a strategic edge during critical phases. The card’s ability to dictate combat pace indirectly conserves resources for pivotal turns in the game. While versatile and meta-relevant, its mana specificity and cost may limit inclusion in certain MTG decks.

Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
1999-10-04 - Number 224

Commander 2013 (C13)
2013-11-01 - Number 128

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment

Text of card

o Xoo R Creatures can't block this turn unless their controller pays o X for each blocking creature.

The rhythm isn't a call to arms, but a signal that the goblins have made a new enemy.

Cards like War Cadence

War Cadence is an intriguing red enchantment in the realm of tactical combat enhancers. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to control combat stages, similar to cards like Invasion Plans. Both dictate how blocking occurs, yet War Cadence gives the advantage of choice, allowing the player to decide the cost of blocking for each creature, potentially leaving the opponent’s defense wide open.

Comparing it to cards like Goblin War Drums, we see another parallel. Both grant an edge in combat, but while Goblin War Drums makes all creatures harder to block without a cost, War Cadence’s payment mechanic can be dynamically adjusted based on the game state. It harnesses the chaos of combat and tilts it in favor of the active player.

Lastly, when considering a card like Master Warcraft, which also manipulates the attack and block phases, War Cadence stands out for its repeatable effect. Master Warcraft may offer a one-time surprise maneuver, but War Cadence provides enduring control over the battlefield, transforming each combat phase into a strategic puzzle.

When evaluating their tactical uses and impact on combat, War Cadence stands as a formidable tool, allowing for continuous leverage of the battlefield to the player’s advantage.

Cards similar to War Cadence by color, type and mana cost

Curse of Hospitality - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: War Cadence offers a strategic edge by potentially deterring blocks or enabling your forces to pass enemy lines unobstructed. This disruption can tilt the battle in your favor, often leading to advantageous board states that can shift card advantage towards you.

Resource Acceleration: While not providing direct acceleration, War Cadence can dictate the pace of the game. It enables calculated attacks by manipulating combat costs, which can indirectly conserve your resources for critical turns. This sort of tactical acceleration ensures your mana is deployed effectively.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of War Cadence augments its tactical utility. It permits the element of surprise, allowing you to modify combat conditions on the fly. This adaptability is crucial in outmaneuvering opponents and maximizing the effect of each turn, ensuring each mana spent is done so with maximum impact.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The War Cadence card requires players to maintain a hand with enough resources to capitalize on its effect during crucial combat phases. Running low on cards might reduce the strategic value of this card.

Specific Mana Cost: War Cadence demands a particular combination of mana, red included, to cast. This constraint can hinder players from integrating it into multi-colored decks that may not generate the required mana with consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial and recurring mana costs to activate War Cadence’s ability might strain a player’s mana resources in comparison to other cards. These resources could otherwise be used for casting creatures or other impactful spells during the game. This makes it less preferable in faster-paced games where mana efficiency is paramount.

Reasons to Include War Cadence in Your Collection

Versatility: War Cadence offers a unique tactical advantage that can compliment a variety of strategies. Whether you’re looking to control the battlefield or protect your key creatures, this card provides a flexible tool to negotiate combat phases.

Combo Potential: As a card that can dictate combat outcomes, War Cadence pairs well with effects that punish blocked or unblocked creatures, enhancing those synergies and opening the door for inventive play combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where creature-centric strategies prevail, this card shines by disrupting opponent’s blocking plans, providing a significant edge that can swing games in your favor.

How to beat War Cadence

War Cadence is a strategic enchantment card that challenges players as it manipulates combat by making creatures harder to block. This means that your opponent can control the flow of battle, potentially turning what seems like a secure position into a vulnerable one if they have enough mana at their disposal.

Handling War Cadence requires a dual approach focusing on mana denial and the removal of the enchantment itself. Efficient removal spells are key—think along the lines of Naturalize or Disenchant, which target and destroy enchantments directly, or general-purpose removal like Oblivion Ring that can exile any non-land permanent, including War Cadence. Another tactic is to limit your opponent’s mana, diminishing their ability to activate War Cadence’s ability. Land destruction or mana disruption spells, although sometimes frowned upon, can be effective in these scenarios.

Additionally, one can utilize creatures with abilities that either negate or bypass the need to be declared as blockers, such as those with “reach” or “flash” to circumvent the hindrance War Cadence poses. In essence, overcoming War Cadence in a game hinges on a blend of foresight, resource control, and timely removal, providing a testament to the depth and intricacy embedded in the art of playing Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase War Cadence MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Commander 2013, 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 War Cadence and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The War Cadence Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2013-11-01. Illustrated by John Matson.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1999-10-04	Mercadian Masques	MMQ		224	1997	Normal	Black	John Matson
2	2013-11-01	Commander 2013	C13		128	2003	Normal	Black	John Matson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where War Cadence has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	The ability only applies to blocks declared after it resolves. It will not add costs to any blockers already announced.
2004-10-04	You can choose X=0. This doesn’t have an effect most of the time, but it does mean that creatures can’t block unless the controller chooses to pay the cost (a cost of zero is not automatically paid). You can use this to make your creatures unable to block an attacker.