Alabaster Dragon MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 1
1997-06-09 - Number 2
2020-09-26 - Number POR-1
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying If Alabaster Dragon is put into your discard pile from play, shuffle Alabaster Dragon back into your deck.
Cards like Alabaster Dragon
In the vast world of MTG, Alabaster Dragon stands out with its unique flavor and mechanics. Its closest relatives in terms of gameplay would be cards like Mesa Pegasus and Pearled Unicorn, which similarly bear the white color identity and encompass characteristics befitting white creature cards – namely, a blend of moderate strength and a specific form of resilience or utility.
However, Alabaster Dragon sets itself apart with its ability to shuffle itself back into its owner’s library upon death, ensuring a potential return to the battlefield. This attribute is not found on either Mesa Pegasus or Pearled Unicorn, making the Alabaster Dragon an intriguing option for players who value longevity in their creatures. Conversely, Pearled Unicorn and Mesa Pegasus are more cost-efficient creatures for their stats but lack the recurring advantage provided by the dragon.
Other similar creatures that players might consider are renowned for their protective abilities like Mother of Runes, which offers a way to shelter creatures from harm. Alabaster Dragon does not provide such immediate protection but compensates with the promise of rebirth. Weighing these nuanced differences, Alabaster Dragon offers an intriguing mix of endurance and strength, positioning it as a creature that can persist through the challenges of the game.
Cards similar to Alabaster Dragon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Alabaster Dragon stands out for its built-in resilience, providing card advantage by shuffling itself back into the owner’s library when it dies. This returns a valuable card to your deck, ready to be drawn again, keeping your hand resourceful over the course of a match.
Resource Acceleration: While Alabaster Dragon itself doesn’t accelerate resources directly, its recurring nature means repeated opportunities to cast it, thus utilizing mana each turn effectively, particularly in decks that capitalize on creature spells and effects.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant, the Dragon’s above-mentioned reshuffle ability can indirectly grant you an advantage at instant speed. It allows you to play around with your blocking and combat strategy, knowing you can potentially recover the dragon from your library shortly after. This keeps you adaptive and responsive during the game’s critical turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Given that Alabaster Dragon returns to your library upon hitting the graveyard, it demands you to adapt your strategy to keep track or shuffle it back to a position of accessibility. This requirement to maintain awareness or manipulate your deck can be seen as a drawback for players who like a more straightforward playstyle.
Specific Mana Cost: Alabaster Dragon demands a significant investment of two specific white mana plus four additional mana of any color. This dedication to white mana can limit flexibility, especially in multi-colored decks that value a diverse mana base to support a wider range of spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The six total mana needed to summon Alabaster Dragon is considerable, particularly because its 4/4 stats and flying ability, while solid, may not match up favorably against other creatures or effects available at a similar or lower cost threshold.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Alabaster Dragon is a resilient creature that can find its place in a variety of decks, particularly those that appreciate flying defenders. Its ability to shuffle back into the deck upon death ensures consistent defense round after round.
Combo Potential: When paired with graveyard shuffling mechanics, Alabaster Dragon becomes a reliable component for combos, persistently recycling your threats and maintaining pressure on your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where the creature-based strategies are common, having a flying creature that returns to the library can provide a continual defense option, a notable advantage to have in your collection.
How to beat
Alabaster Dragon presents a unique challenge in the world of Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to shuffle itself back into the owner’s library if it dies. It’s a creature card that doesn’t leave the battlefield for long and can be quite the nuisance to permanently remove. To effectively counter this resilience, players should consider using exile removal spells such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares which bypass the dragon’s return-to-library trait altogether.
Another strategy involves manipulating the battlefield to limit its impact. Enchantments like Pacifism or cards that strip abilities, like Turn to Frog, can neutralize the Alabaster Dragon without triggering its library shuffle ability. Alternatively, forcing the owner to sacrifice the dragon through effects like Diabolic Edict can also circumvent its built-in defense mechanism.
In essence, the key to overcoming Alabaster Dragon lies in a player’s ability to outmaneuver its abilities rather than outfight it. By employing strategic removals or ability restrictions, a player can ensure that this formidable creature becomes a manageable aspect of the game and not a recurring threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Alabaster Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Weatherlight, 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 Alabaster Dragon and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Alabaster Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 1997-06-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 1 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ted Naifeh | |
| 2 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 2 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Bob Eggleton | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | POR-1 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ted Naifeh |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Alabaster Dragon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Alabaster Dragon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-05-01 | This will always be shuffled into its owner’s library. |