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06-03-2001
 Cascading and Acceleration
In this article I would like to talk to you about Cascading. The term is basically used to mean 'spending power in order to acquire more power'. In a previous article (http://www.mtgparadise.com/articles/february2001/2302tate_artifact.shtml) I showed how a cascade attack worked with artifacts because they can use their mana-producing ability to cast another mana-producing artifact. We can see however that cascading is used in many tournament decks. Rebels, Mercenaries and even the famous Saproling Cluster/Ashnod's Altar/Fecundity infinite mana deck all spend power in order to have greater potential power.
This power may come in a form of a currency (mana, draw, creatures, +1/+1 counters etc), but note that in a cascading deck the power is replenished. The benefit of a cascading deck is mainly twofold. Firstly your power curve increases dramatically, accelerating the theme of your deck hugely and hence the kill combo and/or kill attack. Sligh decks although efficient cannot cope with such acceleration, and Control decks aren't able to counter-spell everthing.
The most important, most valued cards of all MTG have all been acceleration cards (Dark Ritual, Grim Monolith etc). With such acceleration early in the game and lack of land around, this in practice can give you a turn advantage. Time itself becomes a currecy of power. Remember any deck whatsoever at any time always has a limit on its power. The trick is to make sure you're more powerful, by extending yours and/or hampering his.
After analysing several cascades one notes a very common limit: the element of draw. If your cascade relies on drawing a card, you need to find a way of renewable draw (instantaneous is preferable) before you run out of cards. This is not easy. Commonly Cycling and drawing where tap isn't a cost is essential to a cascading deck. I know of a blue High Tides deck which decked the opponent on the fourth turn, illustrating clearly the power of Cycling and Graveyard renewal. The added bonus of drawing so much is that your flexibility is increased in terms of adapting to the tactical situation on the board. Nearly every deck I've seen where they had no cards in their hand, failed to stop a single shutdown card (probably sideboarded) and hence lost control of the game. If you have the ability to cascade, it gives you that much more of a chance against shutdown or hate decks, as you can commonly double up on vulnerable cards and/or introduce a sideboarded shutdown much more quickly than your opponent can. I once was playing a spike deck vs a weenie deck, but although I was low on life and seemed dead, he had no cards in his hand. I had a Hells Caretaker resurrect a Triskelion and slapped some Sadistic Glees on it, hoovering up an entire weeenie army. Very amusing.
Remember then that acceleration cards will always be the cornerstone of tournament winning decks, and any ability that doesn't have tap as an activation cost should seriously be analysed for cascading purposes. My two infinite mana combos I lay claim to were found doing just this.
On a final note dialogue is most welcome and if anyone can find a faster than 2nd turn infinite mana combo, please email me.
Kind Regards
Steve Tate |
