Angler Drake MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 41
2022-10-14 - Number 22
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Drake |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying When Angler Drake enters the battlefield, you may return target creature to its owner's hand.
From the time they are hatchlings, river drakes are taught to pull the largest prey from the Luxa.
Cards like Angler Drake
Angler Drake is a blue creature card that brings a blend of power and utility to the table in MTG. With similarities to cards like Aether Adept, both creatures provide a flying body coupled with a bounce effect upon entering the battlefield. Angler Drake, however, offers a larger flying presence and affects any target creature, whereas Aether Adept is limited to targeting creatures your opponents control but comes with a lower casting cost.
Moving towards cards like Frost Lynx and Man-o’-War, we find a common thread in the creature control department. Frost Lynx has a similar “freeze” effect by tapping down a creature upon entry, while Man-o’-War returns a creature to its owner’s hand. Although these cards come with smaller bodies and at a lesser converted mana cost, Angler Drake gives you a more persistent board presence and the potential for larger impact swings in the late game.
To sum it up, while there are several creatures in MTG that manipulate opponents’ boards on entry, Angler Drake combines a formidable flying threat with a versatile bounce ability, making it a unique and valuable card in the right deck context.
Cards similar to Angler Drake by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Angler Drake comes into play with a powerful effect that returns target creature to its owner’s hand. This form of removal can be just as beneficial as drawing a card, since it disrupts your opponent’s board presence, setting them back while you maintain or even grow your own board state.
Resource Acceleration: Although Angler Drake doesn’t directly produce resources, its 4/4 flying body represents significant aerial power. By clearing the path for itself or other creatures, the Drake can help secure combat victories that lead to winning the game more quickly.
Instant Speed: While Angler Drake isn’t an instant, its ability to return creatures to hand on entry can be a pseudo-instant speed effect when played strategically. It can disrupt opponents’ plans during their most vulnerable stages, like just after they cast a creature spell that you return to their hand, effectively wasting their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Angler Drake does not have a discard requirement itself, it is important for players to consider the opportunity cost of playing any six-mana creature. Every card played is one less in hand, so the decision to bring Angler Drake to the battlefield must be weighed against maintaining a hand with adequate responses and resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Angler Drake requires a specific mana investment of two blue and four colorless mana, which may not always be readily available. Decks without a solid mana base or the specific blue mana may struggle to cast this spell on time, or at all, limiting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Angler Drake comes in at a higher investment than other creatures with similar or better effects. The mana cost makes it a potentially slow choice compared to lower-cost creatures that fly or offer control abilities, putting the player at a distinct tempo disadvantage, especially in faster-paced games or against more aggressive deck archetypes.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Angler Drake brings utility to any blue-focused deck owing to its ability to return a target creature to its owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield. This allows for repeated use of enter-the-battlefield effects, or simply to clear a path for attack.
Combo Potential: With its flying ability, Angler Drake serves as a formidable aerial threat. It can work in tandem with cards that capitalize on bouncing opponent’s creatures, paving the way for instant disruption or long-term tempo strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creature-based strategies dominate, having a reliable way to deal with opponents’ threats is crucial. Angler Drake fits well in such scenarios, providing a body in the air as well as a method for managing opposing boards.
How to beat
Angler Drake presents itself as a powerful presence in the game of Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to return a target creature to its owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield, this card offers both aerial dominance and control over the pacing of the game. To effectively counteract the advantages Angler Drake brings to the table, one must consider strategic plays and card choices that can minimize its impact or remove it from the board entirely.
Employing removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, is a straightforward method for taking Angler Drake out of the equation. Instant-speed interaction is key, ensuring that you can react to its casting before the bounce effect takes place. In addition, putting pressure on your opponent by rapidly developing your board presence may force them to use their mana defensively, possibly hindering their ability to cast Angler Drake at a pivotal moment. Always remain vigilant for the right opportunity to strike and use your removal when it can disrupt your opponent’s plans the most effectively.
Finally, including creatures with strong enter-the-battlefield effects of your own can turn the tide in your favor. By doing so, even if Angler Drake returns one of your creatures to your hand, you can replay it for additional value, thus mitigating the tempo loss and maintaining the competitive edge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Angler Drake MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Game Night: Free-for-All, 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 Angler Drake 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Angler Drake Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2022-10-14. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 2 | 2022-10-14 | Game Night: Free-for-All | GN3 | 22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Angler Drake has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |