Doom Cannon MTG Card

Onslaught (ONS)
2002-10-07 - Number 307

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number ONS-307

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact

Key Takeaways

Doom Cannon offers card advantage and strategic instant-speed removal, influencing battlefield dynamics significantly.
Its activation cost and mana requirements can challenge deck flexibility, dictating careful planning and mana management.
The card’s versatility and meta relevance make it a compelling choice for decks that capitalize on creature control.

Text of card

As Doom Cannon comes into play, choose a creature type. o3, oc T, Sacrifice a creature of the chosen type: Doom Cannon deals 3 damage to target creature or player.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Doom Cannon enables repeated removal of creatures, transforming unneeded creatures into direct damage while refilling your hand with the drawn cards. This dynamic creates a sustained advantage on the battlefield and in hand.

Resource Acceleration: By tapping into a consistent source of creature cards, Doom Cannon effectively accelerates your resource utilization. This pace not only pressures your opponent but also opens up strategic play opportunities ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Doom Cannon at instant speed adds a layer of flexibility, allowing you to respond to threats during any phase of your opponent’s turn. This adaptability can give you the upper hand and disrupt your adversary’s tactics.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Doom Cannon’s activation necessitates discarding a noncreature card from your hand, potentially depleting your hand and strategic options during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: Doom Cannon’s precise mana cost demands three mana of any type and two black mana to cast. This requirement could be restrictive, limiting the card’s utility to decks with a strong black mana base or sufficient fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a significant mana investment to get Doom Cannon onto the battlefield, players may find themselves at a disadvantage against decks that favor lower-cost spells or that can establish board presence more rapidly.

Reasons to Include Doom Cannon in Your Collection

Versatility: Doom Cannon is a flexible card that can be a great addition to various MTG decks, especially those built around dealing damage directly to opponents or creatures. Its ability to convert creatures into direct damage offers strategic removal options.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combo interactions. It can serve as a sacrifice outlet, turning creatures into damage, and it works well with decks that generate tokens or have creatures that benefit from being in the graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: With certain metas seeing lots of creature-based strategies, Doom Cannon can act as a powerful control tool. Its presence can deter opponents from over-committing to the board, knowing their creatures may become fodder for its ability.

How to beat

Doom Cannon stands out as a unique artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to convert creatures into direct damage can be a thorn in the side of many players. Nevertheless, there are strategies to effectively counter this powerful card. Artifact removal spells are a prime solution, and cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can remove Doom Cannon from the game before it wreaks havoc.

Alternatively, countering creature-based strategies that feed Doom Cannon’s ability is also viable. Using cards that limit creature abilities, such as Cursed Totem, or playing control decks with plentiful removal options can keep your opponent’s creature count low, starving the Doom Cannon of ammunition. Incorporating instant-speed removal can disrupt your opponent’s plans right before they intend to use the Doom Cannon, thereby turning the tables in your favor.

In essence, when facing Doom Cannon, a mix of direct artifact removal and creature control can be the winning recipe. Understanding the mechanics behind this powerful card and preparing your deck with the right counters will help ensure it doesn’t dominate the battlefield.

Cards like Doom Cannon

Doom Cannon stands as an intriguing artifact in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, inviting comparisons to other noteworthy contraptions that leverage creatures for advantages. It echoes the design of Arcbound Crusher, which also capitalizes on creatures entering the battlefield, albeit with a focus on bolstering its power rather than direct removal. While Doom Cannon offers targeted creature destruction at the cost of sacrificing a creature, Arcbound Crusher grows stronger with each creature summoned, posing an escalating threat if not swiftly addressed.

Another relative in this niche is the card Barrage Tyrant, which also translates creatures into offensive firepower. Unlike Doom Cannon, its ability hinges on flinging creatures directly at opponents or planeswalkers, translating an impulse offensive strategy to immediate life point reductions. The difference in resource investment is palpable, with Barrage Tyrant requiring no mana input for its activation, whereas Doom Cannon demands a three-mana toll for each ferocious salvo.

Ultimately, within the diverse landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Doom Cannon’s potential for consistent board control provides a strategic corner worth exploring. Its synergy with creature-heavy decks demands savvy play, offering a relentless siege engine against opponent creatures when used judiciously.

Cards similar to Doom Cannon by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Doom Cannon MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and The List, 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 Doom Cannon and other MTG cards: