Dragonscale General MTG Card
2015-01-23 - Number 11
2015-01-23 - Number 11s
2015-01-23 - Number 11
2002-06-24 - Number 55707
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | Bolster |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
At the beginning of your end step, bolster X, where X is the number of tapped creatures you control. (Choose a creature with the least toughness among creatures you control and put X +1/+1 counters on it.)
"Dragons seek war. I bring it to them."
Cards like Dragonscale General
The Dragonscale General stands as an intriguing option for bolster strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to bolster other creatures at the beginning of each of your end steps makes it somewhat analogous to cards such as Elite Scaleguard. While Elite Scaleguard requires a tap to bolster, Dragonscale General automatically enhances your weakest creature, providing a consistent end of turn benefit without the need for a tap, which can be advantageous in maintaining a formidable battlefield presence.
Considering the aspect of bolster and overall creature empowerment, Abzan Falconer shares a thematic link with Dragonscale General. Abzan Falconer doesn’t bolster, but it gives creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them flying, offering an aerial advantage. However, Dragonscale General proactively adds those counters, potentially increasing the synergy with such abilities significantly and making it a key player in +1/+1 counter themed decks.
To summarize, Dragonscale General’s self-sufficient bolster ability gives it a distinct role among creatures that focus on enhancing and interacting with +1/+1 counters. It may not provide the same utility as Elite Scaleguard or Abzan Falconer, but the automatic and consistent enhancement of your creatures can be a pivotal strategy for players seeking to build a strong board state.
Cards similar to Dragonscale General by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dragonscale General provides a strategic edge by bolstering your board presence during each of your end steps. This consistent advantage amplifies over time as you swell your ranks, turning even the smallest creatures into threats.
Resource Acceleration: Rather than providing direct mana acceleration, Dragonscale General accelerates your battlefield resources by empowering your existing creatures. This kind of non-mana resource acceleration is pivotal in creature-focused decks, enabling you to overcommit less while still presenting substantial pressure.
Instant Speed: While Dragonscale General itself does not operate at instant speed, it synergizes exceptionally with creatures that have flash. Deploying threats at the end of your opponent’s turn and then bolstering them during your end step can unexpectedly shift the tide of battle in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dragonscale General does not directly require a discard to play, but it necessitates a bolstered strategy which often leads to a decrease in hand size as players cast other creatures to capitalize on the General’s ability.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes white mana, Dragonscale General is inherently restricted to decks that can produce white mana, thereby limiting its versatility in a broad range of deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying Dragonscale General comes with a mana value of four, which could be demanding considering that the board impact is not immediate. In a game where tempo is critical, the cost may outweigh the benefit, especially in comparison with lower-cost creatures that provide immediate value upon entering the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dragonscale General offers flexibility in deck building due to its ability to bolster your creatures after the combat phase. Its functionality is not limited to a single strategy, making it a solid addition to a range of white decks that focus on creature presence.
Combo Potential: With Dragonscale General, you have the ability to craft powerful synergies in decks that thrive on +1/+1 counters. Its ability to scale up your army after each combat provides fertile ground for combos with cards that interact with counters or benefit from stronger creatures on the field.
Meta-Relevance: Given that aggressive tactics often dictate the pace of the game, Dragonscale General has a place in the meta by empowering your creatures post-combat. It’s particularly impactful in environments where combat is frequent and creature enhancement can lead to game-changing advantages.
How to beat
Dragonscale General is a powerful card in MTG known for bolstering the might of your creatures at each end step. To effectively combat this, focus on removal spells capable of dealing with both the General and the bolstered creatures. Quick removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the General before its ability triggers. Including board sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation can help manage an army of bolstered creatures.
Alternatively, countering the General as it hits the battlefield is another strategy. Spells like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto prevent it from ever getting its engine running. Lastly, negating the bolster mechanic by using instant-speed removal in response to the end-step trigger is yet another tactic to undermine Dragonscale General’s effectiveness. Timing, as with most strategies in MTG, is of the essence to prevent your opponent from gaining an insurmountable advantage.
Navigating around the adept strategies that Dragonscale General enables requires a combination of foresight, speed, and the right spells. By prioritizing its immediate removal or countering key plays, you stand a better chance at denying your adversary the benefits this formidable card offers on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dragonscale General MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Fate Reforged Promos, 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 Dragonscale General 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 Dragonscale General Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2015-01-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 55707 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Willian Murai | ||
| 2 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged Promos | PFRF | 11 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Willian Murai | |
| 3 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged Promos | PFRF | 11s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 4 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 11 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dragonscale General has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dragonscale General card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | Bolster itself doesn’t target any creature, though some spells and abilities that bolster may have other effects that target creatures. For example, you could put counters on a creature with protection from white with Abzan Skycaptain’s bolster ability. |
| 2014-11-24 | Count the number of tapped creatures you control as the ability resolves to determine the value of X. |
| 2014-11-24 | The creature you put the counters on doesn’t have to be one of the tapped creatures. |
| 2014-11-24 | You determine which creature to put counters on as the spell or ability that instructs you to bolster resolves. |