Dragon Grip MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant,Ferocious |
| Released | 2014-09-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Khans of Tarkir |
| Set code | KTK |
| Number | 107 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason Rainville |
Text of card
Ferocious — If you control a creature with power 4 or greater, you may cast Dragon Grip as though it had flash. (You may cast it any time you could cast an instant.) Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+0 and has first strike.
Cards like Dragon Grip
In evaluating the strengths of Dragon Grip, the enchantment from Magic: The Gathering that can grant a creature +2/+0 and potentially first strike, it’s important to compare it with comparable cards to determine its place in a player’s arsenal. Dragon Mantle, for instance, allows for a smaller power boost of +1/+0 but also permits players to draw a card, offering immediate value. While it doesn’t inherently bestow first strike, the cantrip effect can often be more valuable in decks focused on card advantage.
Another card that comes to mind is Madcap Skills, which provides a larger power increase of +3/+0 and makes the enchanted creature harder to block by requiring two or more creatures to do so. Though it lacks the conditional first strike ability that can be triggered mid-combat with Dragon Grip, Madcap Skills excels in elevating a creature’s offensive capability for an unimpeded attack.
Lastly, there’s Titan’s Strength which boosts a creature by +3/+1 and allows a scry 1, however, being an instant, it does not offer the lasting effect of an enchantment. Dragon Grip holds a unique position for players who value the flexibility of triggering its first strike in the midst of combat or for those who synergize with ferocious-activated abilities.
Cards similar to Dragon Grip by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Dragon Grip, gaining card advantage is intrinsic to the gameplay as it can potentially turn a single creature into a major threat. This not only puts pressure on your opponent but also means you’re optimizing every card in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Dragon Grip itself may not accelerate resources in the traditional sense, equipping a creature with this powerful aura can significantly speed up the clock against your opponent, translating to a faster route to victory.
Instant Speed: One of the best assets of Dragon Grip is its capability to be cast at instant speed, thanks to its ferocious mechanic. This allows players to wait for the perfect moment before upgrading a creature, catching an adversary off-guard and maximizing the element of surprise during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dragon Grip demands a card to be tossed aside as part of its casting cost. This trade-off can be burdensome when your hand is already dwindling and you’re trying to maintain momentum during the game.
Specific Mana Cost: To unleash Dragon Grip’s power, a precise blend of mana is essential – one that includes both red and another of any type. This stipulation can be restrictive, tethering the card to decks that can reliably generate this exact mana composition.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to get Dragon Grip into play is not insignificant. With three mana required – one red and two of any type – its cost-to-benefit ratio comes into question, especially when juxtaposed with other options that can offer similar or greater impacts on the battlefield for the same, or even lower, mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include Dragon Grip in Your Collection
Versatility: Dragon Grip is a flexible addition to any red deck, providing instant speed control of the board. Its ability to enhance creatures with additional power and the ferocious trigger makes it a game-changer in battle.
Combo Potential: With ferocious enabled, Dragon Grip gives any creature equipped with it the potential to knock out key threats. This opens up numerous combo possibilities in aggressive decks that aim to make quick and impactful moves against opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where speedy creature responses are crucial, Dragon Grip can play a pivotal role. The instant speed application allows players to adapt to the pace of the game and maintain pressure on their opponents, making it an essential tool in many matchups.
How to beat
Understanding the strategic nuances of Dragon Grip is key in Magic The Gathering. This particular card is quite potent when played on a creature with ferocious, giving it an edge with a +2/+0 boost and first strike. First strike, especially when unexpected, can destabilize opponent’s combat strategies. To counteract Dragon Grip, timing is critical. Having instant-speed removal at hand can neuter the threat before the first strike comes into effect.
Using spells that can remove or counter abilities on the stack will also dismantle the unexpected impact of Dragon Grip. Enchantment removal is equally effective if Dragon Grip has resolved, as clearing the card off the battlefield eliminates the immediate threat. Cards that provide mass removal or -1/-1 counters can reduce a creature’s power below the ferocity threshold, rendering Dragon Grip null. It’s also wise to limit the viability of ferocious by controlling the opponent’s board and keeping creatures with power 4 or greater at bay.
By applying these tactics, you can efficiently navigate through the challenges posed by Dragon Grip and maintain the upper hand in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dragon Grip MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Grip 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dragon Grip has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dragon Grip card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-09-20 | If you’re using Dragon Grip’s ferocious ability to cast it as though it had flash, you must control a creature with power 4 or greater only as you begin the casting process and put Dragon Grip on the stack. Losing control of that creature while casting Dragon Grip (perhaps because you sacrificed it to activate a mana ability), or in response to Dragon Grip won’t affect Dragon Grip on the stack. |
| 2014-09-20 | You must cast Dragon Grip at the latest during the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if you want first strike to matter during that combat. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.