Deus of Calamity MTG Card


Its ability to destroy lands offers significant card advantage and disrupts opponents’ mana base. The card’s specific mana cost and lack of discard mechanics may limit its deck versatility. Despite a high mana cost, its potential for land destruction and combo synergy is high.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit Avatar
Abilities Trample
Power 6
Toughness 6

Text of card

Trample Whenever Deus of Calamity deals 6 or more damage to an opponent, destroy target land that player controls.

"He bears the marks of ages upon his skin, memories of dreams long dead and best left buried." —*The Seer's Parables*


Cards like Deus of Calamity

Deus of Calamity holds an established role in the massive creature spectrum of Magic: The Gathering. This card shares a kinship with the likes of Terra Stomper and Gruul Ragebeast. Each creature embodies the spirit of immense power and formidable board presence. Deus of Calamity offers a devastating 6/6 body along with the potential to destroy an opponent’s land with each attack, a feature that neither Terra Stomper nor Gruul Ragebeast possess.

Exploring further, we cross paths with the likes of Stonebrow, Krosan Hero. While Stonebrow does not demolish lands, it gives other attacking creatures trample, reinforcing an aggressive strategy similar to that enabled by Deus of Calamity. However, it must be noted that Stonebrow’s ability stacks differently as it focuses on enhancing multiple creatures rather than providing a stand-alone threat.

To summarize, Deus of Calamity is not just a creature; it’s a statement of force, apt for causing widespread destruction on your opponent’s side. Its ability to tear into an opponent’s mana base sets it apart from others, making this gigantic creature a notable inclusion in decks that aim to decimate strategic resources while presenting a significant combat challenge.

Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Gruul Ragebeast - MTG Card versions
Stonebrow, Krosan Hero - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Gruul Ragebeast - MTG Card versions
Stonebrow, Krosan Hero - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Deus of Calamity by color, type and mana cost

Sunastian Falconer - MTG Card versions
Sawback Manticore - MTG Card versions
Segmented Wurm - MTG Card versions
Serpentine Kavu - MTG Card versions
Shivan Wurm - MTG Card versions
Harbinger of the Hunt - MTG Card versions
Streetbreaker Wurm - MTG Card versions
Steam Spitter - MTG Card versions
Stonebrow, Krosan Hero - MTG Card versions
Scuzzback Marauders - MTG Card versions
Blitz Hellion - MTG Card versions
Gorger Wurm - MTG Card versions
Deadshot Minotaur - MTG Card versions
Thromok the Insatiable - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Swine - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Ancient - MTG Card versions
Ulrich of the Krallenhorde // Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha - MTG Card versions
Raging Swordtooth - MTG Card versions
Regisaur Alpha - MTG Card versions
Nikya of the Old Ways - MTG Card versions
Sunastian Falconer - MTG Card versions
Sawback Manticore - MTG Card versions
Segmented Wurm - MTG Card versions
Serpentine Kavu - MTG Card versions
Shivan Wurm - MTG Card versions
Harbinger of the Hunt - MTG Card versions
Streetbreaker Wurm - MTG Card versions
Steam Spitter - MTG Card versions
Stonebrow, Krosan Hero - MTG Card versions
Scuzzback Marauders - MTG Card versions
Blitz Hellion - MTG Card versions
Gorger Wurm - MTG Card versions
Deadshot Minotaur - MTG Card versions
Thromok the Insatiable - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Swine - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Ancient - MTG Card versions
Ulrich of the Krallenhorde // Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha - MTG Card versions
Raging Swordtooth - MTG Card versions
Regisaur Alpha - MTG Card versions
Nikya of the Old Ways - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: As Deus of Calamity stomps onto the battlefield, its formidable power symbolizes the potential for overwhelming card advantage. If left unchecked, this behemoth will not only deal damage to your opponent but also destroy their land cards, steadily depleting their resources and handing you the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: Deus of Calamity’s seismic presence also supports resource acceleration. By annihilating an opponent’s land with each hit, you sabotage their mana base, potentially accelerating your lead as they struggle to recover their mana production.

Instant Speed: While Deus of Calamity itself is not an instant-speed spell, the terror it infuses in the match can manipulate the flow of the game. Opponents may be forced to keep mana open and hold back instant-speed removal in anticipation of your colossal threat, offering you the psychological advantage and dictating the pace of the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect that might deter players from consistently including Deus of Calamity in their decks is the absence of any discard mechanic to mitigate its impact. Unlike some other cards that balance power with discard effects, this card provides no such option, potentially making it less strategic in decks that aim to manage hand resources carefully.

Specific Mana Cost: Deus of Calamity demands a rigorous mana cost, requiring both red and green sources. This specificity can make it challenging to cast, especially in formats where mana flexibility is key. It’s limited to decks that can reliably generate both types of mana, which can stifle its inclusion in more versatile deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two red and two green, Deus of Calamity sits on the higher end of the mana curve. In scenarios where speed is of the essence, players may find its cost prohibitive, favoring lower-cost creatures that can hit the board faster and begin impacting the game sooner.


Reasons to Include Deus of Calamity in Your Collection

Versatility: Deus of Calamity offers a wide range of applications for decks that thrive on aggressive strategies. Its substantial 6/6 body makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield, capable of dealing significant damage to your opponent’s life total and their land base.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a pivotal piece in land destruction decks, pairing well with effects that capitalize on your opponents being resource-strapped. Additionally, its ability to destroy lands can synergize with cards that benefit from opponents having fewer resources, or from your ability to repeatedly deal damage.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where slower, land-dependent decks are prominent, Deus of Calamity can be a game-changer. Its ability to quickly demolish an opponent’s mana base can shift the tide, providing a significant advantage against decks that rely heavily on establishing a strong land presence early on.


How to beat

Overcoming the Deus of Calamity in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic planning and a swift response. This formidable card can wreak havoc quickly due to its trample ability and the potential to destroy an opponent’s land with each successful attack. To neutralize this threat, consider using removal spells that can deal with creatures of high power, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, which can exile it before it deals damage. For those preferring a less temporary solution, counterspells like Cancel or Mana Leak can prevent Deus of Calamity from hitting the battlefield in the first place.

Alternatively, creature strategies can also be effective. Chump blocking with expendable creatures can absorb attacks, while cards like Frost Titan can lock it down and prevent untapping. Ensnaring creatures without dealing direct damage, through enchantments like Lignify or Darksteel Mutation, can also prove useful, transforming this god of destruction into a harmless entity. Thus, while Deus of Calamity can be a fearsome foe, a diverse toolkit and quick action can keep this deity in check.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deus of Calamity MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters, 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 Deus of Calamity and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Deus of Calamity Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2013-09-06. Illustrated by Todd Lockwood.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-05-02ShadowmoorSHM 2042003NormalBlackTodd Lockwood
22013-09-06Duel Decks: Heroes vs. MonstersDDL 542003NormalBlackTodd Lockwood

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deus of Calamity has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-05-01 This ability triggers from any damage, not just combat damage, that Deus of Calamity deals to an opponent in increments of 6 or more.
2008-05-01 This ability will trigger when Deus of Calamity deals 6 damage to an opponent at one time. It won’t keep track of the accumulated damage that it deals at different times.