In the world of Magic: The Gathering, few card combinations spark as much conversation asCyclonic RiftandVoid Winnower. These two powerful cards, often staples in Commander (EDH) format, have the potential to completely shift the balance of a game. While they don’t directly interact with each other in an obvious synergy, the strategic layering of their effects can create a dominating presence on the battlefield. Understanding how Cyclonic Rift and Void Winnower function individually and how they can control a multiplayer board opens up significant tactical depth for players looking to gain an upper hand in casual or competitive games.
Understanding Cyclonic Rift
Card Overview
Cyclonic Riftis an instant spell that costs 1U and allows you to return target nonland permanent you don’t control to its owner’s hand. However, its real power lies in its overload cost of 6U. When overloaded, Cyclonic Rift returns all nonland permanents you don’t control to their owners’ hands, effectively resetting opponents’ boards while leaving yours intact.
Why It’s So Powerful
- Instant speed interaction allows flexible timing.
- Overload punishes wide boards and token strategies.
- Creates a massive tempo swing, often leading to a win on the following turn.
- Highly effective in multiplayer settings where you can reset multiple opponents simultaneously.
Used properly, Cyclonic Rift becomes a one-sided board wipe that doesn’t destroy or exile but simply removes all threats temporarily, giving you the opportunity to capitalize while opponents rebuild.
Understanding Void Winnower
Card Overview
Void Winnoweris a 9-mana Eldrazi creature (11/9) that prevents opponents from casting spells with even converted mana costs (now referred to as mana values) and also makes it impossible for creatures with even mana values to block. This effect, while seemingly odd, has devastating consequences on the kinds of spells and creatures your opponents can use.
Notable Effects of Void Winnower
- Shuts off many common spells and counterspells (e.g., Counterspell, Wrath of God).
- Limits the ability of opponents to stabilize using even-cost creatures or spells.
- Bypasses many blockers, making your attackers more likely to connect.
- Unbalances the game in favor of decks built with this restriction in mind.
Void Winnower introduces a unique lockout element to the game, especially when paired with other control cards or support creatures that limit casting options even further.
Strategic Layering: Cyclonic Rift and Void Winnower
When considering these two cards together, their true potential emerges not in synergy but in sequencing and game flow. Cyclonic Rift clears the way, while Void Winnower keeps the path closed.
Step 1: Cyclonic Rift as the Disruptor
You cast Cyclonic Rift with its overload cost, bouncing all nonland permanents you don’t control. This resets your opponents’ boards, removing all blockers, enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers.
Step 2: Void Winnower as the Lock
With the field cleared, you play Void Winnower. Now your opponents are limited in what they can cast from their hand. Many of the powerful, expensive spells they had returned to their hand will be uncastable if they have even mana values.
The Net Result
- You’ve reset the board with Cyclonic Rift.
- You’ve followed up with a huge threat that restricts casting and blocks.
- Your opponents struggle to rebuild while you attack freely.
This combo doesn’t create an infinite loop or win on the spot, but it does generate a massive momentum swing. In Commander games, that often leads to one or more players being eliminated before they can respond.
Deck Building Considerations
Best Colors and Archetypes
Cyclonic Rift is blue, while Void Winnower is colorless, meaning it can slot into any deck. This makes the pairing accessible in multicolor control decks or colorless Eldrazi builds.
Deck types that benefit from this pairing include:
- Control: Especially blue-based control decks that already use bounce and denial tactics.
- Ramp: Decks that generate large amounts of mana quickly can deploy both cards efficiently.
- Stax: Adding more tax or restriction effects makes Void Winnower even more painful for opponents.
Recommended Support Cards
- Lightning Greaves / Swiftfoot Boots: Protect Void Winnower from removal.
- Mana rocks: Help reach the high mana thresholds of both cards.
- Counterspells: Defend your board position after using Rift.
- Tutors: Cards like Mystical Tutor or Fabricate help fetch either piece when needed.
How to Play Around These Cards
If you’re facing a player using Cyclonic Rift and Void Winnower, there are some tactics you can employ:
- Diversify your mana values: Avoid relying too heavily on even-cost spells.
- Use instant-speed removal: Try to remove Void Winnower before your next main phase.
- Save counterspells: Keep a backup counter for Cyclonic Rift when possible.
- Board-wide discard effects: Force the controlling player to empty their hand before setting up.
While powerful, these cards are not unbeatable. Timing, threat assessment, and strong synergy are crucial to surviving their impact.
Community Views and Ethical Considerations
Both Cyclonic Rift and Void Winnower are controversial in casual circles. Rift’s one-sided nature is often viewed as uninteractive, while Void Winnower’s restriction is seen as arbitrary and frustrating.
In some playgroups, using both may be frowned upon unless agreed upon beforehand. Commander, after all, is as much about social interaction as it is about mechanics. Some players consider it bad form to use cards that lock others out without a clear win condition.
CombiningCyclonic RiftandVoid Winnoweris not about infinite combos or flashy finishes. It’s about control, tempo, and denying your opponents a foothold in the game. If you’re building a Commander deck and want to assert dominance while keeping your board intact, this pairing is something to consider carefully. Just be prepared for the table’s response because once you bounce everyone’s board and follow up with a game-locking Eldrazi, there’s no going back.