Dragon Turtle MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 56
2021-07-23 - Number 307
2021-07-23 - Number 56s
2021-07-23 - Number 56a
2021-07-23 - Number 56p
Text of card
Flash Drag Below — When Dragon Turtle enters the battlefield, tap it and up to one target creature an opponent controls. They don't untap during their controllers' next untap steps.
Cards like Dragon Turtle
In the vast sea of creatures within Magic: The Gathering, the Dragon Turtle stands out for its unique blend of raw power and tactical disadvantage. It bears resemblance to cards like Frost Titan, which also comes with a powerful enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effect that can freeze opposing threats. Dragon Turtle’s ability similarly taps another target creature, but with the unusual twist of dragging itself and that creature to the depths—both tapped and not untapping during the next untap step.
Comparable to the Dragon Turtle is Icefall Regent, another creature that leverages the frost theme to control the battlefield. Icefall Regent not only taps a potential threat upon entry but also makes it more expensive for your opponent to cast abilities or spells targeted at it, a subtler control compared with Dragon Turtle’s immediate but symmetrical incapacitation. Both creatures deter attackers but Icefall Regent offers a continual nuisance, while the Dragon Turtle provides a one-time impactful surprise.
Thus, in terms of board control and impacting the pace of the game, Dragon Turtle carves its niche. While similar to others in its category, the Dragon Turtle offers MTG players a strategic edge with a bit of a gamble, demonstrating how a simple ETB effect can alter the tide of a game.
Cards similar to Dragon Turtle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Dragon Turtle card brings a tactical edge to the battlefield by potentially delaying an opponent’s creature, giving you a tempo advantage and the potential for card advantage as you control the flow of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Dragon Turtle doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability to lock down a critical threat can save resources you might otherwise spend on removal, effectively keeping your mana and spells available for establishing board presence.
Instant Speed: Dragon Turtle’s Flash ability allows you to play it at instant speed, making it a formidable surprise blocker. This means you can play it during your opponent’s turn, keeping your mana options open and your plays versatile, reacting swiftly to the evolving game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Dragon Turtle card can occasionally demand you to discard another card, which could put you in a tight spot if your hand is already thinning out.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Dragon Turtle includes a specific mana combination, which might only fit well within certain deck archetypes, restricting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at the higher end of the spectrum, Dragon Turtle’s contribution to the board state needs to be weighed against other creatures or spells that could potentially offer greater impact for the same or lesser investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dragon Turtle brings a unique twist to control and tempo decks. Able to enact a surprise tempo shift by tapping an opposing creature as it enters the battlefield, it offers flexibility in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: With its Flash ability, Dragon Turtle can feature in combos that capitalize on instant-speed interactions, setting the stage for unexpected plays and disrupting your opponent’s rhythm.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta ebbs and flows, a creature like Dragon Turtle has its moments to shine, especially when combat-centric decks gain popularity. Its ability to control the board while establishing presence is a tactical advantage.
How to beat
The Dragon Turtle presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As a card that taps another target creature when it enters the battlefield, it requires strategic play to overcome. Unlike many control spells that require a creature to remain tapped only until the next turn, Dragon Turtle’s ability can extend that duration, effectively sidelining your creature for an extended period. To navigate this disruption effectively, players need to consider using instant-speed removal spells the moment Dragon Turtle hits the board or employing untap mechanics to free their creatures from its icy grip.
Furthermore, it’s important to manage your resources wisely. Having mana available for counterspells or protection can be crucial when facing off against this formidable card. Players also might consider utilizing creatures with haste or flash, allowing them to act outside of the usual summoning sequence and thus circumvent the Turtle’s controlling influence. Last but not least, one could leverage the timing of spells and abilities that don’t rely on creatures, maintaining pressure and keeping the momentum even when key creatures are tapped down.
To sum up, confronting the Dragon Turtle requires foresight and flexibility. Adapting your strategy to include diverse responses is key to ensuring that this sea-infused behemoth doesn’t dampen your chances of victory.
BurnMana Recommendations
Diligently evaluating your MTG deck’s synergy with the Dragon Turtle card can make all the difference in gameplay. Its unique ability to disrupt opponent strategies by tapping creatures can turn the tide of a match. Yet, mindful of its drawbacks, players should weigh its strengths against its significant mana cost and the potential for card disadvantage. Those seeking to refine their control or tempo decks will find the Dragon Turtle a worthy addition, capable of initiating surprising combos and withstanding meta shifts. Ready to dive deeper into optimizing your MTG tactics? Discover more strategies and tricks that could secure your next victory by joining the BurnMana community.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dragon Turtle MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Turtle 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 Dragon Turtle Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 307 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justine Mara Andersen | |
| 3 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 56s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 4 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 56a | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 5 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 56p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dragon Turtle 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 Turtle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-07-23 | If you target an opponent's creature with Dragon Turtle's Drag Below ability and that target is illegal as the ability tries to resolve, the entire ability is removed from the stack and does nothing. Dragon Turtle will remain untapped and will untap as normal during its controller's next untap step. |
| 2021-07-23 | If, however, there are no legal targets for the Drag Below ability when Dragon Turtle enters the battlefield (or you choose not to target anything), Dragon Turtle's ability will still resolve and cause it to be tapped and it won't untap during its controllers next untap step. |
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.