Death by Dragons MTG Card
2011-06-17 - Number 118
2017-06-09 - Number 80
2019-11-07 - Number 899
2020-09-26 - Number CMA-80
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Each player other than target player puts a 5/5 red Dragon creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
Suddenly, Eldo felt very alone.
Cards like Death by Dragons
Death by Dragons represents a unique twist in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal of multiplayer strategies. It’s akin to other notable dragon-summoning cards like Dragon Broodmother or Lathliss, Dragon Queen, which also let players create draconic threats. However, Death by Dragons adds a political angle by gifting dragons to opponents except for the caster. Dragon Broodmother, while continuously creating dragon tokens, doesn’t affect other players’ boards directly in the same manner.
In the same ballpark, we have Dragonmaster Outcast, which demands a buildup to six lands but then rewards players with a 5/5 dragon every turn. Compared to Death by Dragons, it’s more of a slow burn but has the potential for an overwhelming board presence over time. Dragon Tempest is another related card that scales with every dragon you summon, providing haste and a damage output that can quickly escalate. Though it doesn’t distribute dragons amongst players, it enhances the potency of your dragon-centric strategy dramatically.
All things considered, Death by Dragons carves out its niche for those seeking to add a layer of complexity and unpredictability in multiplayer games. It’s a card that doesn’t just advance your game but also disrupts the balance of power at the table, making it a noteworthy option for dragon lovers in MTG.
Cards similar to Death by Dragons by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Death by Dragons provides a strategic upper hand by creating multiple Dragon tokens. Distributing a 5/5 flying creature to each player except the chosen victim gives the caster a commanding presence on the board and can swiftly tilt the scales of card advantage in their favor. The sheer power of a 5/5 Dragon can be formidable, making any swaps with opponents’ creatures or card trades generally beneficial to the Death by Dragons caster.
Resource Acceleration: Although Death by Dragons doesn’t directly generate mana or Treasure tokens, it can rapidly accelerate your board state by introducing a fearsome token creature into play. This presents a form of indirect resource acceleration as the card effectively bypasses the mana cost associated with casting large creatures by providing a 5/5 Dragon token at no extra charge, saving your resources for other strategic moves in the game.
Instant Speed: Death by Dragons operates at sorcery speed, demanding careful planning when weaving it into your game strategy. The card’s ability to command a turn and shape the battlefield can make up for the lack of instant speed flexibility. Proper timing can overwhelm opponents with force, turning the tide in your favor at a critical juncture in the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One prominent downside to using Death by Dragons is the necessity to part with another card from your hand. This condition can result in a decreased hand advantage, leaving you vulnerable to your opponent’s next move, especially if you’re already running low on cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Death by Dragons demands a precise combination of mana to cast, including two red mana. This requirement confines the card to red-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its versatility across the multitude of deck archetypes available to players. Those running multicolor decks with a tight mana curve may find its inclusion particularly challenging.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits at six mana, including the specific color requirement mentioned, Death by Dragons carries a resource-heavy cost. This makes it a less desirable choice in the early to mid-game phases where players may prefer to conserve their mana for more immediate threats or board presence. In a game where mana efficiency can dictate victory, the card’s higher cost could be seen as a less optimal use of resources when compared to lower-cost cards that deliver a similar impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Death by Dragons is a card that offers dynamic gameplay across various deck archetypes, excelling in Commander where it can turn the tide of multiplayer games. Its ability to grant dragons to your opponents while bolstering your board presence makes it a multifaceted tool in any fiery arsenal.
Combo Potential: This card opens up numerous synergies, especially in decks that capitalize on dragon tribal themes or ones that benefit from proliferating token creatures. It can also be paired with strategies that mitigate the downside of giving opponents creatures, such as playing with cards that penalize opponents for summoning creatures or cards that take control of the dragons afterwards.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where large creatures can dominate and end games, Death by Dragons stands out. Its relevance peaks in formats that allow for big plays and where the battlefield can be manipulated to one’s advantage by such impactful cards, thereby integrating seamlessly into a variety of current meta strategies.
How to Beat
Death by Dragons is an intriguing enchantment card in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It presents a scenario where your opponents each create a 5/5 red Dragon creature token with flying, altering the battlefield significantly. To effectively counter this card, one must have a strategy in place well before these formidable fliers take to the skies.
Control decks with board wipes like “Day of Judgment” or “Supreme Verdict” can clean the slate, nullifying the threat those dragons pose. Alternatively, cards that prevent creatures from entering the battlefield such as “Containment Priest” or that punish opponents for summoning multiple creatures, like “Trespasser’s Curse”, can be highly effective tools. Timing and patience are critical, as you’ll want to let your opponent commit to the board fully before sweeping it clean or using spot removal like “Murder” strategically to handle the dragons one by one. Taking these approaches puts you in a solid position to claim victory over the high-flying hazard that Death by Dragons introduces.
When faced with this card, consider it an opportunity to utilize your removal resources wisely and maintain board control. By doing so, you will navigate past the threat and continue your pursuit of victory in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Death by Dragons MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2011 and Commander Anthology, 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 Death by Dragons 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 Death by Dragons Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Austin Hsu.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 118 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 2 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 80 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 899 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | CMA-80 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Death by Dragons has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Death by Dragons card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-09-22 | If Death by Dragons resolves, the player who’s targeted is the only one who won’t put a Dragon token onto the battlefield. |
| 2011-09-22 | If the player is an illegal target when Death by Dragons tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. No player will put a Dragon token onto the battlefield. |