Dragon Hatchling MTG Card
2012-07-13 - Number 128
2013-07-19 - Number 138
2018-06-08 - Number 173
2020-07-17 - Number 310
2022-10-14 - Number 72
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying : Dragon Hatchling gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
"Those dragons grow fast. For a while they feed on squirrels and goblins and then suddenly you're missing a mammoth." —Hurdek, Mazar mammoth trainer
Cards like Dragon Hatchling
Dragon Hatchling is an enticing creature card for those who play with fire in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the dragon lineage with other beginner-friendly dragons like Furnace Whelp, which also gains flying and prowess through an investment of mana. Where Dragon Hatchling shines is in its affordability and the immediate impact it can have with its firebreathing ability, enabling power boosts at any time.
In comparison, Sparktongue Dragon offers a different take, bringing a direct damage ability upon entering the battlefield. While this dragon comes at a higher mana cost, the immediate damage can be a game-changer. Though, unlike Dragon Hatchling, it lacks the ability to scale its power based on available mana.
Fire-Belly Changeling also deserves a nod here, resonating with those who appreciate a versatile creature with changeling and firebreathing features. However, it fails to deliver the aerial advantage that the Dragon Hatchling provides. While each of these cards embodies the essence of dragon creatures in their own unique way, Dragon Hatchling stands out for its low-cost flexibility and classic MTG dragon feel, enhancing red-based decks with a scalable threat that can be difficult to ignore.
Cards similar to Dragon Hatchling by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dragon Hatchling isn’t your typical source for card advantage; however, it offers an alternative route by threatening to become a more substantial board presence if left unchecked. Opponents must address it, potentially diverting attention and resources from your other crucial plays.
Resource Acceleration: While the Dragon Hatchling itself may not provide direct resource acceleration, it synergizes well with decks that offer mana boosts. Its fire-breathing ability allows you to pump any excess mana into it, transforming spare resources into increased damage output.
Instant Speed: The Hatchling’s fire-breathing ability can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility. You can catch an opponent off-guard during combat, increase its power during the declare blockers step, or even after they’ve calculated combat damage to be dealt, leading to potentially advantageous plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Dragon Hatchling requires a strategic hand management, as it may compel players to discard valuable cards to amplify its abilities, which could set back their game progress if not managed cautiously.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands red mana for both casting and its activation abilities. This can restrain its inclusion in decks that run a broader color spectrum and might not always have the necessary red mana sources available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the Dragon Hatchling’s initial impact on the board, its casting cost might seem steep. There are alternative creatures that could offer more immediate board presence or utility for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Dragon Hatchling in Your Collection
Versatility: Dragon Hatchling is a flexible card that can be added to a variety of decks. It’s an excellent early defender in red strategies, and its flying ability lets it evade many common blockers, providing a reliable path to chip away at your opponent’s life total.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks built around dragon synergies or those leveraging the firebreathing ability. With the right setup, Dragon Hatchling’s power can be scaled to become a formidable threat or an unexpected finisher during the late game.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where skies are less defended, Dragon Hatchling proves to be a persistent nuisance. It’s a low-cost creature that can adapt to various situations, either acting as a blocker or contributing to the aerial offense throughout different stages of the game.
How to beat
When facing off against the Dragon Hatchling card in Magic: The Gathering, the strategy shifts to managing a creature that can potentially strengthen over time. The Hatchling itself starts small, but the fire-breathing ability it possesses allows it to grow momentarily stronger with each mana invested. It’s a card that demands an immediate answer or a way to ensure your opponent can’t make the most of its fire-breathing potential.
Direct removal spells are a dependable way to deal with this creature, such as Shock or Fatal Push, which can dispatch the Hatchling before it soars out of control. Counterspells can also nip the problem in the bud by preventing the Dragon Hatchling from entering the battlefield in the first place. Should the creature slip through, keeping the opponent’s mana tapped out with cards like Frost Breath can hinder their ability to power up the Hatchling.
Effectively countering Dragon Hatchling hinges on timing and resource denial. Understanding when to deploy your removal or disruption spells is key. Recognizing the threat before it’s able to claw its way to a potent force can turn what would be a towering dragon back into a harmless egg.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dragon Hatchling MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Magic 2014, 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 Hatchling 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 Dragon Hatchling Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2022-10-14. Illustrated by David Palumbo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 128 | 2003 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo | |
| 2 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 138 | 2003 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 173 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo | |
| 4 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 310 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo | |
| 5 | 2022-10-14 | Game Night: Free-for-All | GN3 | 72 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dragon Hatchling has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |