Dragon Scales MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2003-05-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scourge |
| Set code | SCG |
| Number | 10 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Darrell Riche |
Text of card
Enchanted creature gets +1/+2 and attacking doesn't cause it to tap. When a creature with converted mana cost 6 or more comes into play, you may return Dragon Scales from your graveyard to play enchanting that creature.
Cards like Dragon Scales
Dragon Scales is an enchantment that garners attention within the realm of creature buffs in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with other enchantments like Holy Strength, which also provides a boost to a creature’s capabilities. Dragon Scales, however, offers an interesting dynamic as it not only grants a +1/+2 stat increase but also bestows Vigilance if it is on the battlefield when a creature with converted mana cost 6 or greater comes into play. This feature distinguishes it from the straightforward enhancement that Holy Strength provides.
Looking at Flickering Ward, we see another enchantment that offers repeatable protection and the ability to tailor to different situations. While it doesn’t improve stats outright like Dragon Scales, its versatility in choosing a color for protection can be repeatedly leveraged. Additionally, Favorable Destiny is a card to consider when discussing creature enhancements. It confers a +2/+2 boost and protection from creatures, yet it comes with the requirement of controlling another creature, something Dragon Scales does not necessitate.
Ultimately, Dragon Scales stands out due to its dual role as both a stat increaser and a vigilance enabler, particularly enhancing the power of larger creatures within Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of cards.
Cards similar to Dragon Scales by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dragon Scales offers a unique form of card advantage as it can return from your graveyard to the battlefield attached to a newly played Dragon, essentially negating the need for a draw when setting up your defenses or preparing for an offense.
Resource Acceleration: Attaching Dragon Scales can often be done at no cost, effectively accelerating your board presence without spending additional resources, allowing you to allocate mana elsewhere to develop your position further.
Instant Speed: The inherent ability of Dragon Scales to attach to a qualifying creature at the speed of the creature’s entry enables dynamic gameplay, keeping your strategies flexible and responsive to the ever-changing state of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dragon Scales necessitates the discard of another card, presenting a challenge when your hand is sparse and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Dragon Scales includes green mana, potentially constraining its integration into multi-color or colorless deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Dragon Scales offers a substantial boon to creatures, its mana cost is on the pricier side when weighed against other aura options that might bring similar benefits for less.
Reasons to Include Dragon Scales in Your Collection
Versatility: Dragon Scales can seamlessly integrate into various deck styles, especially those that capitalize on creature buffs and graveyard strategies. Its ability to attach to a Dragon creature without payment when entering the battlefield from the graveyard offers a significant advantage.
Combo Potential: It can be a key component in creating powerful combos with Dragon-themed decks, as it offers an immediate and cost-effective way to enhance your creatures’ abilities, potentially leading to swift and overwhelming victories.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-based strategies, Dragon Scales can be an under-the-radar powerhouse, giving your dragons the edge they need in both offense and defense with its bonus to power and vigilance, promoting a more aggressive gameplay style.
How to beat
Dragon Scales is a unique enchantment card that offers a sustainable advantage by boosting a creature’s capabilities with a +1/+2 increase and vigilance. This card can turn even the most modest creature into a formidable threat that can attack without succumbing to the usual fatigue of combat. To effectively counter Dragon Scales, players should consider enchantment removal cards like Disenchant or Naturalize, which allow you to remove your opponent’s buffs at a low cost and restore the balance of power.
Control strategies can also be very effective against decks that rely on Dragon Scales. Counterspells such as Cancel can prevent the enchantment from hitting the board in the first place. For those who prefer a proactive approach, bounce spells like Unsummon can force the creature back to the owner’s hand, making Dragon Scales fall off and forcing your opponent to start their setup anew.
Ultimately, like any card in Magic the Gathering, Dragon Scales can be overcome with the right strategy and card selection. Understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s plays and prioritizing targets is key to combating cards that can turn the tide in a match as Dragon Scales does.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dragon Scales MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Scales 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dragon Scales has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.