Dragonsguard Elite MTG Card

Gains power with each spell, offering dynamic board state influence and card advantage in matches. Indirect resource acceleration from spell synergy leads to a fast-growing power and toughness. Instant speed boosts from Magecraft triggers allow flexible and unexpected power increases.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Druid
Abilities Magecraft
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Dragonsguard Elite. : Double the number of +1/+1 counters on Dragonsguard Elite.

"The Founder Dragons brought the Blood Age to an end. It is an honor to serve them."

Cards like Dragonsguard Elite

Dragonsguard Elite stands out as a formidable creature within Magic: The Gathering, similar in vein to other growth-focused creatures such as Quirion Dryad. Both have the capacity to scale up in power and toughness, with Dragonsguard Elite gaining a +1/+1 counter each time a player casts or copies an instant or sorcery spell. Quirion Dryad similarly gains counters when casting spells of a color that isn’t on the creature, yet Dragonsguard Elite’s potential growth is not color-limited and it possesses the additional ability to double its counters for a mana cost.

Yet another comparison is found with Managorger Hydra, which grows with every spell cast, not just the controller’s. While the Hydra’s growth potential is greater in a multiplayer format, Dragonsguard Elite’s doubling ability gives it an edge in strategic plays. Finally, Wildborn Preserver offers a different approach, allowing direct placement of +1/+1 counters for a mana cost whenever another non-Human creature enters the battlefield under your control, giving a controlled and instant way to grow the creature.

Dragonsguard Elite competes well among its peers, providing MTG players with a creature that flourishes alongside spell-slinging strategies and holds the potential for explosive turns, particularly in decks heavy with instants and sorceries.

Quirion Dryad - MTG Card versions
Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions
Wildborn Preserver - MTG Card versions
Quirion Dryad - MTG Card versions
Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions
Wildborn Preserver - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Dragonsguard Elite. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Temur MidrangeTemur Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 14 2024
Temur TempoTemur Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dragonsguard Elite stands out as a formidable creature card with the capability to become a considerable threat. Each Magecraft ability triggers not only provide combat benefits but also increases the card’s power. This built-in growth mechanism means that as you cast other spells, the Elite continually threatens the game state, effectively creating a card advantage as opponents must deal with an ever-growing creature.

Resource Acceleration: In the case of Dragonsguard Elite, resource acceleration is indirect but significant. Since leveling up Elite is dependent on the number of spells you cast, in a deck optimized for spell-slinging, this card can rapidly grow in power and toughness. This synergy effectively turns every spell cast into an investment into your Elite’s power, often requiring less mana over time to deal with opposing creatures or to finish the game.

Instant Speed: Dragonsguard Elite does not operate at instant speed itself, but its formidable Magecraft ability can trigger off of instants you play. This allows you to catch opponents off guard by casting spells during their turn, suddenly boosting Elite’s power before damage is dealt. The flexibility to increase its strength at instant speed, tailored to your strategy and timing, makes it a potent threat that can adapt to and capitalize on the flow of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Despite Dragonsguard Elite’s growth potential, a player must often discard a card to fuel its Magecraft ability. This can be a double-edged sword, as it depletes your hand, possibly leaving you without critical resources when you need them most.

Specific Mana Cost: Dragonsguard Elite comes with a green mana requirement, which while easily met in mono-green or dual-color decks, restricts its inclusion to only those decks that can accommodate green mana. This limitation can deter deck builders who operate outside of green-inclusive strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Elite’s mana value is reasonable, but its Magecraft ability requires an investment of precious mana to exploit fully. This can be problematic as the cost of consistently activating its ability might divert mana away from other pivotal plays during a game, potentially resulting in a slower deck performance when compared to alternatives that require less mana to fulfil a similar role.

Reasons to Include Dragonsguard Elite in Your Collection

Versatility: Dragonsguard Elite is a flexible addition to decks that are heavy on spells, fitting seamlessly into both aggressive and midrange strategies. Its ability to grow with each spell cast makes it a threat that must be answered swiftly by your opponents.

Combo Potential: With its Magecraft ability, this card has the potential to become a powerhouse in decks designed around casting numerous spells. It works particularly well with cheap cantrips and instant-speed spells that can be played on your opponent’s turn, yielding a substantial board presence.

Meta-Relevance: As the game’s meta continuously evolves, Dragonsguard Elite holds its ground due to its scaling power level. In environments where spells are being slung left and right, having a creature that benefits directly from this dynamic can give you a significant edge in the match.

How to beat

Dragonsguard Elite is an intriguing creature card that becomes progressively more formidable as you cast or copy spells. With its Magecraft ability, the creature gains a +1/+1 counter each time you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, potentially turning it into a substantial threat on the battlefield.

To effectively counter this growing problem, removal spells that can bypass counters are essential. Consider using spells like Fatal Push or Bloodchief’s Thirst for early intervention. For those playing white, cards like Path to Exile provide an unconditionally permanent solution. Timing is crucial – removing Dragonsguard Elite before it becomes too large is the key to mitigating the risk it poses to your strategy.

Additionally, countering the spells that trigger Dragonsguard Elite’s growth can halt its development before it begins. Utilize counterspells like Dovin’s Veto or Negate to disrupt your opponent’s gameplay and keep Dragonsguard Elite in check. In summary, swift elimination and proactive spell countering are your best tactics to ensure Dragonsguard Elite doesn’t overwhelm you during the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dragonsguard Elite MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online 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 Dragonsguard Elite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dragonsguard Elite Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2021-04-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 901302015NormalBlackDaarken
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 901282015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
32021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 15s2015Art seriesBorderlessDaarken
42021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 3762015NormalBlackDaarken
52021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 1272015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
62021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 3162015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
72021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 162015Art seriesBorderlessDavid Rapoza
82021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 152015Art seriesBorderlessDaarken
92021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 16s2015Art seriesBorderlessDavid Rapoza
102021-04-24Strixhaven: School of Mages PromosPSTX 127s2015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
112021-04-24Strixhaven: School of Mages PromosPSTX 127p2015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dragonsguard Elite has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dragonsguard Elite card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-04-16 Each magecraft ability has a different effect, although they all have the same trigger condition, whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell.
2021-04-16 For example, if you control Archmage Emeritus and cast an instant or sorcery spell, Archmage Emeritus’s magecraft ability will trigger and you will draw a card.
2021-04-16 If an effect creates a copy of an instant or sorcery spell, this will also cause the magecraft ability to trigger.
2021-04-16 If an effect creates multiple copies of an instant or sorcery spell, magecraft abilities trigger once for each copy created by the effect.
2021-04-16 Some effects instruct you to copy an instant or sorcery card in a zone other than the stack. These copies do not cause magecraft abilities to trigger. However, most effects that do this also allow you to cast the copy, and casting the copy will cause magecraft abilities to trigger.
2021-04-16 To double the number of +1/+1 counters on a permanent, put a number of +1/+1 counters on it equal to the number it already has. Other cards that interact with putting counters on it will interact with this effect accordingly.