Cataclysm MTG Card


Cataclysm can offer a considerable card advantage by decimating opponents’ boards while securing key resources. Strategically timed, it can reset the game state, allowing for faster recovery and a strategic upper hand. Though not an instant, Cataclysm’s profound effect rivals the impact of influential instant-speed plays.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Each player chooses from the permanents he or she controls an artifact, a creature, an enchantment, and a land and sacrifices the rest.

The *Weatherlight* dragged the *Predator* behind it, the cradle hauling the casket.


Cards like Cataclysm

Cataclysm stands as a unique card within Magic the Gathering’s pantheon of board wipes, wielding the power to equalize the battlefield by forcing players to sacrifice nearly all of their permanents. A similar card with this level of destructive force is Tragic Arrogance, which also dictates the terms of what stays and what goes on the battlefield. However, while Cataclysm is an absolute reset leaving players with one permanent of each type, Tragic Arrogance offers slightly more flexibility allowing players to choose which permanents to keep, making it a less stringent but still quite impactful spell.

Balance is another card that echoes Cataclysm’s game-altering effect, as it also brings parity to the game by equalizing the number of lands, creatures, and cards in hand. Unlike Cataclysm, Balance doesn’t target artifacts and enchantments but still dramatically shifts the game’s dynamics. Lastly, we have Wrath of God, a cornerstone of reset buttons in MTG that is straightforward with its promise – destroy all creatures. This bypasses the need to choose permanents, which Cataclysm demands, offering a more predictable outcome.

Though each of these cards has its own nuances and strategic uses, Cataclysm’s thorough level of cleansing cements its place as a potent force for those looking to forge a fresh start on the battlefield within Magic the Gathering.

Tragic Arrogance - MTG Card versions
Balance - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Tragic Arrogance - MTG Card versions
Balance - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cataclysm by color, type and mana cost

Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Armageddon - MTG Card versions
Resurrection - MTG Card versions
Cleanse - MTG Card versions
Breath of Life - MTG Card versions
Path of Peace - MTG Card versions
Vengeance - MTG Card versions
False Defeat - MTG Card versions
Ravages of War - MTG Card versions
Replenish - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Wisdom - MTG Card versions
Decree of Justice - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions
Starnheim Unleashed - MTG Card versions
Presence of the Wise - MTG Card versions
Divine Congregation - MTG Card versions
Retether - MTG Card versions
Misfortune's Gain - MTG Card versions
Windborne Charge - MTG Card versions
Captain's Call - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Armageddon - MTG Card versions
Resurrection - MTG Card versions
Cleanse - MTG Card versions
Breath of Life - MTG Card versions
Path of Peace - MTG Card versions
Vengeance - MTG Card versions
False Defeat - MTG Card versions
Ravages of War - MTG Card versions
Replenish - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Wisdom - MTG Card versions
Decree of Justice - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions
Starnheim Unleashed - MTG Card versions
Presence of the Wise - MTG Card versions
Divine Congregation - MTG Card versions
Retether - MTG Card versions
Misfortune's Gain - MTG Card versions
Windborne Charge - MTG Card versions
Captain's Call - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Cataclysm. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Death and TaxesDeath and Taxes LegacyDeath and TaxesMonthly Legacy
TerrageddonTerrageddon Premodern$1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am
OathclysmOathclysm PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Death and Taxes (Yorion)Death and Taxes (Yorion) LegacyDeath and TaxesWeekly Legacy
Oath PrisonOath Prison PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Selesnya OathSelesnya Oath PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cataclysm forces each player to choose one artifact, creature, enchantment, and land they control and sacrifice the rest. This can lead to significant card advantage if you time the resolution of Cataclysm to affect your opponent’s more extensive board presence while preserving your key resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although Cataclysm doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can set you ahead by resetting the board. This often disrupts your opponents’ resource accumulation, potentially allowing you to rebuild faster and gain a strategic advantage.

Instant Speed: While Cataclysm is not an instant, its dramatic impact on the game state can essentially halt the momentum of any player not prepared for its resolution, giving it a similar strategic weight to that of powerful instant-speed interactions in the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players wielding Cataclysm, the necessity to choose and discard specific cards can be a harrowing strategy call, especially when your hand is dripping with crucial plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Those eyeing the sweeping might of Cataclysm must be prepared to shell out a very particular blend of mana, which can be an Achilles’ heel for multicolor decks not rooted heavily in white.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While it heralds a destructive reset, the mana investment to summon Cataclysm is sizeable. Players must weigh this cost against other potentially more immediate impacts on the battlefield that come in at lower mana thresholds.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cataclysm can be a game-changer in various formats, fitting into decks that focus on maintaining board control. Its ability to equalize the playing field can reset the game in your favor, especially when you can protect your key permanents beforehand.

Combo Potential: This card has a solid synergy with strategies designed around indestructible or sacrificial permanents. It can serve as a catalyst to clear the board and pave the way for powerful, game-winning combinations by favorably tipping the balance of resources.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames that are creature-heavy or where players develop complex board states with numerous permanents, Cataclysm can drastically alter the course of a game. It forces opponents to make difficult decisions about what to keep, allowing you to strategize around a less cluttered battlefield.


How to beat

Cataclysm is a powerful card that can truly shake up the game in Magic: The Gathering. It forces each player to choose from their artifacts, creatures, enchantments, and lands, and then sacrifices the rest. This dramatic board reset can be a challenge to overcome. However, with the right strategy, you can turn Cataclysm to your advantage. Playing around Cataclysm involves careful planning and maintaining card advantage. Holding back on playing out your entire hand, especially if you suspect your opponent has Cataclysm, can be key. It’s also beneficial to have indestructible or regenerative creatures, or cards in hand that can help you quickly rebuild your board presence.

Another effective angle is running cards that grant benefits when your own permanents are sacrificed. This can offset some of Cataclysm’s impact on your side of the board. Alternatively, cards that allow you to return important permanents from your graveyard to play post-Cataclysm can be critical to swinging the game back in your favor. In essence, by anticipating the potential upheaval, you can prepare your deck to not only survive Cataclysm’s wake but also to thrive.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means preparing for every contingency, including those as game-altering as Cataclysm. This card’s potential to shift the momentum in your favor is undeniable, but it demands strategic finesse and timing to utilize effectively. Enhance your understanding of Cataclysm’s place in different formats and learn how to maximize its impact while minimizing its risks. Whether you seek to harmonize it with indestructible synergies or leverage its board-wiping power to clear a path to victory, our deep dive into Cataclysm will equip you with the insights to elevate your play. Discover more strategic gems and refine your deck with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cataclysm MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Cataclysm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cataclysm Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Jim Nelson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 31997NormalBlackJim Nelson
21998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 bh31997NormalGoldJim Nelson
32015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 82015NormalBlackJim Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cataclysm has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cataclysm 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 If you control a permanent with more than one type, you can choose that permanent to be the representative of either type. This makes it possible to have more than one creature (or other permanent type) on the battlefield. For example, if you select a creature for your creature and an artifact creature for your artifact, you get to keep both of these creatures.
2004-10-04 If you control a permanent with more than one type, you can choose that same permanent for more than one of the choices if you want to. This makes it possible to select an artifact creature as both your artifact and creature, and then select a land and thereby keep only two cards.
2004-10-04 The current player makes their choices before the other player. After both players make choices, all the sacrifices are done simultaneously.
2004-10-04 The permanents to save are chosen on resolution. You do not choose them when casting the spell.
2014-02-01 Each permanent not chosen by a player will be sacrificed. If a permanent has none of the listed types (for example, a Planeswalker with no other types), it can’t be chosen.