The Elder Dragon War MTG Card


Grants significant card advantage through deeper deck exploration, increasing strategic options each turn. Enhances board presence rapidly with its resource acceleration, leading to a quicker path to dominance. Instant speed casting provides on-the-fly adaptability to react to the game’s changing state.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Saga
Abilities Read Ahead

Text of card

Read ahead (Choose a chapter and start with that many lore counters. Add one after your draw step. Skipped chapters don't trigger. Sacrifice after III.) I — The Elder Dragon War deals 2 damage to each creature and each opponent. II — Discard any number of cards, then draw that many cards. III — Create a 4/4 red Dragon creature token with flying.


Cards like The Elder Dragon War

The Elder Dragon War is a pivotal entrant in the roster of powerhouse spells within Magic: The Gathering. It can be juxtaposed with other high-impact cards like In Garruk’s Wake, which also presents a sweeping effect by destroying all creatures and planeswalkers controlled by opponents. However, The Elder Dragon War distinguishes itself with its versatility and phased structure, unfolding across three chapters of escalating effects unlike the one-time devastation wrought by In Garruk’s Wake.

Another analogous card is Time of Need, allowing players to search their libraries for legendary creatures. While this shares the thematic presence of iconic characters with The Elder Dragon War, it leans towards deck consistency rather than delivering a multifaceted saga. Additionally, Star of Extinction obliterates creatures and land with its massive damage output, drawing a loose parallel in terms of board impact with The Elder Dragon War’s final chapter. However, The Elder Dragon War’s initial chapters offer incremental advantages that set a different pace for gameplay.

Taking into account the varied strategic applications and narrative depth of The Elder Dragon War, it undoubtedly emerges as a unique and influential card that creatively enriches player strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its congruence with other notable cards underscores its value, while its distinctive chapters offer fresh tactical considerations.

In Garruk's Wake - MTG Card versions
Time of Need - MTG Card versions
Star of Extinction - MTG Card versions
In Garruk's Wake - MTG Card versions
Time of Need - MTG Card versions
Star of Extinction - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Elder Dragon War by color, type and mana cost

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Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Orcish Oriflamme - MTG Card versions
An-Zerrin Ruins - MTG Card versions
Lightning Cloud - MTG Card versions
Aether Flash - MTG Card versions
Heart of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
No Quarter - MTG Card versions
Shiv's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Antagonism - MTG Card versions
Pyromancy - MTG Card versions
Close Quarters - MTG Card versions
Collapsing Borders - MTG Card versions
Stand or Fall - MTG Card versions
Impulsive Maneuvers - MTG Card versions
Stensia Uprising - MTG Card versions
Magmatic Core - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Uncontrollable Anger - MTG Card versions
Elemental Mastery - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange StandardRakdos MidrangeThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
RGRG Free formMO89#CS
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro StandardRakdos Midrange16 Day1
Rakdos VampiresRakdos Vampires StandardRakdos MidrangeThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
WUBRGWUBRG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 5, 2024
Mono-Red MidrangeMono-Red Midrange GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Elder Dragon War card enables players to delve deep into their decks, creating opportunities to access a wider array of spells and responses. This can be a turning point to outpace the opponent by having more options available makes each turn newly substantial.

Resource Acceleration: Designed to alter the flow of the game, The Elder Dragon War aids in ramping up resources at a crucial moment. By accelerating the deployment of lands or other assets, players can catalyze their board presence, propelling them towards a dominant position much faster than usual.

Instant Speed: The defining trait of The Elder Dragon War is its capability to be cast at instant speed, giving players the agility to react dynamically to an evolving board state. This adaptability allows for strategic depth, as the timing of this card’s deployment is as critical as its potent effects.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully leverage The Elder Dragon War card, players must discard a card. This can create a dilemma especially when the hand is already depleted, turning this requirement into a potential setback rather than an advancement.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this card requires a precise combination of mana colors. This could be a hurdle in decks that don’t naturally generate the necessary mana types, potentially restricting its integration into a variety of deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The need for substantial mana investment to cast The Elder Dragon War means it may be less efficient than alternatives. Other cards could offer similar benefits at a lower mana cost, making them more accessible earlier in the game and allowing for smoother gameplay progression.


Reasons to Include The Elder Dragon War in Your Collection

Versatility: The Elder Dragon War card offers a range of strategic implications, capable of impacting various stages of the game. Its flexibility makes it a suitable option for numerous deck archetypes looking to harness the power of elder dragons or capitalize on multi-phase spell effects.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique abilities allow for inventive combo interactions with other spells or creature synergies. Its inclusion could potentially unlock new combo lines or enhance existing strategies, offering players creative ways to outmaneuver their opponents.

Meta-Relevance: With a meta that’s ever-shifting, The Elder Dragon War has the capacity to adapt and remain a relevant force. In an environment where players strive for board control and value generation, this card can be a key tool in navigating and dominating competitive matches.


How to beat

The Elder Dragon war is a card that can profoundly impact the tide of a Magic: The Gathering game. Players pitted against this card should focus on counterplay strategies to mitigate its influence. One such strategy involves prioritizing the removal of key creatures from the game before The Elder Dragon War reaches its third chapter, as its final ability can be game-ending if the battlefield is in disarray. Utilizing instant-speed removal or counter spells when The Elder Dragon War is cast can prevent its saga from unfolding altogether.

Ensuring a diverse array of answers within your deck is vital, including cards that handle enchantments or have the ability to interact with the stack. Bouncing back The Elder Dragon War to its owner’s hand can be a tempo play that sets your opponent behind while you develop your board presence. The key is to play proactively; whether through preemptive hand disruption or by establishing pressure that forces your opponent to deal with your threats instead of advancing their saga, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the card’s powerful effects.

Remember, Magic: The Gathering is a game of strategy and foresight. By successfully navigating around The Elder Dragon War, players can turn its potential war tide into a victory in their favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of Magic the Gathering is akin to commanding the might of the elder dragons themselves. The Elder Dragon War card is a testament to the depth and strategy that makes every match a potential legend. With card advantage, resource acceleration, and instant speed on your side, savvy players can dominate the battlefield and capitalize on this card’s potential. But be wary of its requirements and manage your resources wisely to avoid a pyrrhic victory. For those looking to triumph in the MTG arena, it’s crucial to adapt and overcome. Embrace the sage’s journey; with knowledge and skill, even the most daunting challenges can be your stepping stones to glory. Discover how The Elder Dragon War can turn your deck into a saga of triumph by learning more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Elder Dragon War MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United Promos and Dominaria United, 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 The Elder Dragon War and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The Elder Dragon War Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Filip Burburan.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 121p2015SagaBlackFilip Burburan
22022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 1212015SagaBlackFilip Burburan
32022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 121s2015SagaBlackFilip Burburan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Elder Dragon War has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-09-09 As a Saga with read ahead enters the battlefield, its controller chooses a number from one to that Saga’s greatest chapter number. The Saga enters the battlefield with the chosen number of lore counters. Neither choosing the number nor putting the counters on the Saga use the stack, and neither can be responded to.
2022-09-09 In a Two-Headed Giant game, the first chapter ability deals to damage to each player on the opposing team, reducing that team’s life total by 4.