Dragon Arch MTG Card


Dragon Arch enables significant card advantage and unexpected gameplay shifts through its instant speed activation. The requirement to discard and its specific mana cost can make Dragon Arch challenging to integrate seamlessly. Its potential to turn the tide of a game makes it a worthy inclusion for collector and competitive decks alike.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

, oc T: Put a multicolored creature card from your hand into play.

In their hunger for the arch's power, mages often forget that it only makes dragons easier to summon. It doesn't make them easier to control.


Cards like Dragon Arch

Dragon Arch occupies a unique niche within Magic: The Gathering as an artifact that enables multicolored creature deployment without paying their mana costs. It stands out when paralleled with Quicksilver Amulet, another artifact that allows players to cheat creatures onto the battlefield. Quicksilver Amulet is less restrictive regarding color but doesn’t cater specifically to multicolored creatures, which is where Dragon Arch shines by offering this exclusive advantage.

Comparatively, Belbe’s Portal also offers an alternative method for dropping creatures onto the field. It’s limited to a chosen creature type, versus Dragon Arch’s multicolor creature specification. Both cards focus on bypassing traditional casting costs, yet they target different aspects of deck building strategies. It’s essential for players to consider their deck’s focus when weighing the utility of these artifacts.

Elvish Piper is another card that permits creature placement from the hand onto the battlefield at a lower cost. This card has the flexibility of placing any creature card into play, but it doesn’t have the passive triggering ability like Dragon Arch. The distinctions in activation and creature type requirements make each of these cards vital for different game strategies within Magic: The Gathering.

Quicksilver Amulet - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Amulet - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dragon Arch by color, type and mana cost

Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Urza's Engine - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Batterskull - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Gilded Lotus - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Urza's Engine - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Batterskull - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Gilded Lotus - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Dragon Arch’s ability to bypass casting costs presents a significant card advantage. This allows you to deploy high-cost creatures, typically dragons or other multis or multicolored creatures, directly into play without the need to pay their mana costs.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact effectively acts as a form of resource acceleration. While it doesn’t provide additional mana, it facilitates the deployment of heavy-hitting creatures earlier than the mana curve would normally allow, thus accelerating your board state’s development.

Instant Speed: Dragon Arch operates at instant speed, meaning you can activate its ability at the end of your opponent’s turn, or in response to actions, they take. This strategic versatility can lead to unexpected shifts in the game state, giving you a tactical edge.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One deterrent for players considering Dragon Arch in their decks is the inherent need to discard another multicolored creature card. While enabling a sneaky play, it requires players to have both the Arch and additional multicolored creatures in hand, potentially depleting valuable hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: The precise mana cost of Dragon Arch can be a stumbling block. Requiring five mana, including one of each three separate colors, it necessitates a mana base that’s both diverse and robust, which can be challenging to maintain, especially in games where mana consistency is vital.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at five, Dragon Arch contends with other impactful five-mana spells and permanents in the MTG universe. Given its specific function of only putting multicolored creatures into play, players may find more versatile or instant-impact options at this mana cost.


Reasons to Include Dragon Arch in Your Collection

Versatility: Dragon Arch is an asset in multicolored decks, allowing you to bypass casting costs and summon powerful creatures straight onto the battlefield. It excels in commander where multi-colored giants reign supreme.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines when paired with high-cost creatures, enabling explosive turns where multiple threats are deployed at once. It’s a linchpin for setups aiming to overwhelm opponents with large-scale plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a landscape teeming with creature-heavy decks, Dragon Arch can provide the edge by offering consistent access to your game-changers. Its ability to skirt around conventional summoning rules makes it a potent choice for any collector or strategist looking to enhance their deck’s impact.


How to beat

Dragon Arch is a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to sneak multicolored creatures onto the battlefield. To overcome this card, control decks should focus on artifact disruption. Cards such as Abrade or Disenchant can directly deal with Dragon Arch by destroying it or forcing the player to sacrifice it. Counter spells are also effective, prepared to negate the artifact’s activation or the creature spells that threaten to bypass traditional casting costs.

On the other side, aggro players should apply pressure early in the game, aiming to reduce the opponent’s life total before Dragon Arch becomes a factor. Efficient removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile might not target the artifact itself but can clear the way of potent multicolored creatures that could turn the tide if not addressed promptly.

Investing in versatile permanents such as Pithing Needle can also provide an answer to Dragon Arch without straying from your deck’s strategy. This card halts the abilities of named cards, ensuring Dragon Arch remains dormant on the battlefield. Outmaneuvering this artifact requires timing and disruption, leaving the opponent with fewer chances to exploit its powerful ability.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depths of Magic: The Gathering requires a keen eye for detail and an appreciation for synergy within your deck. Dragon Arch offers a gateway to immense power plays, giving life to multicolored creatures in the blink of an eye. Whether it’s for commanding a table in Commander or crafting an unexpected pivot in casual play, this artifact’s potential is vast. Embrace the opportunity to outpace and outscheme opponents by incorporating Dragon Arch into your arsenal. Ready for an elevated gameplay experience? Step up your strategy and discover how Dragon Arch can redefine your battles by learning more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dragon Arch MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and Double Masters 2022, 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 Dragon Arch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dragon Arch Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Dana Knutson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-06-04ApocalypseAPC 1351997NormalBlackDana Knutson
22022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 3052015NormalBlackDana Knutson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dragon Arch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 A multicolored card has more than one color in its mana cost.
2007-05-01 Putting the card onto the battlefield is optional. When the ability resolves, you can choose not to.