Drakuseth, Maw of Flames MTG Card


Drakuseth provides card advantage by wiping out multiple opponents’ creatures or planeswalkers upon attacking. Its massive presence can expedite victory, transforming it into a mid-game threat when cheated out. Instantaneous game impact forces opponents to play conservatively, indirectly controlling the game’s pace.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 7
Toughness 7

Text of card

Flying Whenever Drakuseth, Maw of Flames attacks, it deals 4 damage to any target and 3 damage to each of up to two other targets.

"Spread out, you idiots! Spread out!" —Marsden, party leader, last words


Cards like Drakuseth, Maw of Flames

Drakuseth, Maw of Flames, reigns as a powerhouse among dragon creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It can be looked at in the same light as Utvara Hellkite, both of which dominate the late game for dragon enthusiasts. Drakuseth, however, lends itself to a more aggressive strategy with its ability to dish out direct damage upon attacking. In contrast, Utvara Hellkite focuses on populating the battlefield with dragon tokens, which can be a slower, albeit exponential, form of board control.

Another dragon that draws parallels with Drakuseth is Lathliss, Dragon Queen. Both cards amplify dragon strategies, but Lathliss emphasizes synergy with other dragons, offering a token for each nontoken dragon that enters the battlefield under your control. Whereas Drakuseth stands tall as a singular threat that can change the tide of the game with its potent attack triggers.

In the context of devastating board impacts, Bogardan Hellkite mirrors Drakuseth’s flair for battlefield influence. While Bogardan Hellkite presents an immediate effect by dealing damage upon entering the battlefield, Drakuseth requires an attack phase to unleash its fury, making it a strategic choice for players wanting to exert pressure every combat phase. This direct comparison highlights Drakuseth’s potential for recurring damage and battlefield control.

Utvara Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - MTG Card versions
Bogardan Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Utvara Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - MTG Card versions
Bogardan Hellkite - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formWeekday Night Magic
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange PioneerRakdos MidrangePeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unleashing Drakuseth onto the battlefield creates an immediate presence that can lead to overwhelming card advantage. With its formidable fire-breathing capabilities, each attack can eliminate enemy creatures or planeswalkers, essentially drawing you deeper into your arsenal by negating the need for additional removal spells.

Resource Acceleration: Although Drakuseth doesn’t directly ramp your mana, its sheer power can accelerate the game’s conclusion in your favor. When played in decks that facilitate cheating creatures onto the board, Drakuseth transforms from a late-game play to a mid-game terror, subsequently accelerating your resources toward victory.

Instant Speed: Drakuseth may not operate at instant speed, yet its impact on the game is instantaneous. The threat of its attack can alter the pace and decisions made by opponents, similar to the immediate responses elicited by instant-speed plays. Plus, its presence on the board can deter opponents from committing more to the board, buying you time and indirectly manipulating resources at play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For the might that Drakuseth brings to the battlefield, players must grapple with certain demands. Commanding such power often comes at a cost, and in this case, it requires careful hand management. You might find yourself in a predicament where the need to play Drakuseth mandates discarding valuable cards, which might give your opponent an unexpected upper hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Drakuseth’s allegiance to the mountains is clear, necessitating a hefty tribute of red mana to enter the fray. This specific mana requirement can pose a deck-building challenge, as it narrows deck diversity and compels players to invest heavily in red mana sources, potentially limiting strategic flexibility and increasing vulnerability to color-specific disruption.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Drakuseth’s presence is a harbinger of devastation, summoning this ancient dragon into battle demands a significant mana investment. With a casting cost that towers above many other creatures, players must ensure they survive long enough to unleash its fury. The imperative to reach seven mana can make Drakuseth a late-game card, potentially a turn too slow against the fast-paced aggression of more efficient decks.


Reasons to Include Drakuseth in Your Collection

Versatility: Drakuseth, Maw of Flames delivers a powerful impact on any battlefield, making it a force across various formats. Its ability to deal significant damage to multiple targets makes it a formidable inclusion in Commander and other high-powered formats.

Combo Potential: With Drakuseth’s entrance or attack-triggered ability, it can synergize with cards that capitalize on dealing noncombat damage, or creatures entering with a bang, fitting perfectly into decks that exploit such interactions for game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that favors large, impactful creatures, Drakuseth reigns supreme. Its presence in a deck can easily turn the tides, making it a prudential choice for adapting to metas populated with creature-heavy decks or those lacking in sufficient removal.


How to Beat

Drakuseth, Maw of Flames, emerges as a formidable force in MTG, boasting overwhelming firepower and a potential game-ending presence. Harnessing a card of such force requires an understanding of vulnerability points and strategic interactions. In the realm of countering Drakuseth’s might, efficient removal spells are paramount. Considering Drakuseth’s casting cost, delaying tactics like Thoughtseize or counter spells such as Negate prove useful in mitigating its impact before it can assert dominance on the battlefield.

Moreover, exploiting Drakuseth’s dependence on entering the battlefield or attacking to activate its abilities, one can resort to instant-speed removals like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy to dispatch it before the abilities trigger. Ensnaring it in spells like Pacifism or the more permanent Imprisoned in the Moon can effectively neutralize Drakuseth without the need to address its considerable toughness.

An adept player must navigate the treacherous waters that Drakuseth commands, with an arsenal equipped not just to quell its fiery onslaught but to prevent it from ever taking flight. The dance with this dragon is delicate and demands respect for its power, yet with the right spells and strategy, the inferno can be doused.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unveiling the multifaceted nature of Drakuseth, Maw of Flames is crucial for those looking to dominate the MTG battlefield. This dragon’s entrance is emblematic of abrupt power shifts and game-ending possibilities. Embracing the pros and cons of Drakuseth in your deck can turn the tide, making every match a testament to strategic prowess. In the vast universe of MTG, understanding such mighty cards is key to outmaneuvering opponents. Discover the full potential of Drakuseth, enhance your collection, and craft a winning strategy with our in-depth insights. Join the journey to mastery and elevate your MTG expertise now.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Drakuseth, Maw of Flames MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020 and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Drakuseth, Maw of Flames and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Drakuseth, Maw of Flames Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-07-12 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Grzegorz Rutkowski.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 1362015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
22022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7902015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
32022-10-14Game Night: Free-for-AllGN3 762015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2182015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
52023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5352015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Drakuseth, Maw of Flames has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-07-12 If Drakuseth attacks a planeswalker and that planeswalker is reduced to 0 loyalty from the damage caused by Drakuseth's ability, Drakuseth continues to attack. It can be blocked, and it won't deal any combat damage if it's not blocked.
2019-07-12 You can't choose the same target multiple times to have it be dealt 6, 7, or 10 damage.