Dreadbore MTG Card


Strategic card advantage gained by removing key game pieces with Dreadbore is pivotal in MTG matches. Cost-efficient removal at two mana makes Dreadbore highly accessible for early strategic plays. Mana cost specificity to black and red limits Dreadbore’s inclusion to certain deck types.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy target creature or planeswalker.

In Rakdos-controlled neighborhoods, everyone is part of the show.


Cards like Dreadbore

Dreadbore stands out in MTG as a reliable removal option. When comparing it to other targeted removal spells, Hero’s Downfall immediately comes to mind. While both cards serve the purpose of eliminating creatures or planeswalkers, Hero’s Downfall has a higher mana cost and is an instant, allowing players to act on an opponent’s turn. However, Dreadbore’s lower mana requirement offers a more efficient early-game solution.

Terminate is another analogue worth mentioning. It shares Dreadbore’s mana cost, but Terminate is restricted to creatures and cannot target planeswalkers, illustrating Dreadbore’s versatility. Bedevil, likewise, provides broader options by destroying artifacts in addition to creatures and planeswalkers, but at a steeper mana price and with an additional color requirement.

Assessing these comparisons, Dreadbore is valued for its ability to disrupt early planeswalkers and its cost-effective creature elimination, securing a preferred spot for players seeking streamlined and potent removal in their MTG deck strategies.

Hero's Downfall - MTG Card versions
Terminate - MTG Card versions
Bedevil - MTG Card versions
Hero's Downfall - MTG Card versions
Terminate - MTG Card versions
Bedevil - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dreadbore by color, type and mana cost

Kaervek's Purge - MTG Card versions
Rakdos's Return - MTG Card versions
Angrath's Rampage - MTG Card versions
Hungry for More - MTG Card versions
Fatal Grudge - MTG Card versions
Callous Sell-Sword // Burn Together - MTG Card versions
Molten Collapse - MTG Card versions
Kaervek's Purge - MTG Card versions
Rakdos's Return - MTG Card versions
Angrath's Rampage - MTG Card versions
Hungry for More - MTG Card versions
Fatal Grudge - MTG Card versions
Callous Sell-Sword // Burn Together - MTG Card versions
Molten Collapse - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange PioneerRakdos MidrangeSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Niv to LightNiv to Light PioneerNiv to LightPioneer Challenge 96 2023-12-03 (1)
Grixis Death's ShadowGrixis Death's Shadow ModernDeath's Shadow#8 Last Chance Qualifier: Modern
Grixis ControlGrixis Control ModernGrixis ControlModern Preliminary 2024-01-22
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro PioneerRakdos AggroPioneer Preliminary 2023-12-21
Five-color Niv-MizzetFive-color Niv-Mizzet PioneerNiv to Light#20 Last Chance Qualifier: Pioneer
Five-color YorionFive-color Yorion PioneerMaze's End#23 Last Chance Qualifier: Pioneer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dreadbore may not directly allow you to draw cards, but by efficiently removing a problematic planeswalker or creature, you maintain or tip the balance of card resources in your favor. Essentially, it can dismantle an opponent’s strategy, which is a form of indirect card advantage as they lose a key piece of their game plan.

Resource Acceleration: While Dreadbore doesn’t produce mana or treasure tokens, its low casting cost translates to resource acceleration. This enables you to eliminate threats while still developing your board or keeping mana available for other critical plays within the same turn.

Instant Speed: Although Dreadbore operates at sorcery speed, the efficiency and finality of its effect make it a strong inclusion in decks. It allows you to use your mana in earlier phases and handle threats before they can be used, demonstrating a different aspect of tempo manipulation, which is valuable in the pacing of a game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Dreadbore doesn’t require a card to be discarded, it’s important for players to be aware of their hand size when opting to include removal spells. Doing so ensures that they have enough cards to maintain board presence after utilizing removal options.

Specific Mana Cost: Dreadbore comes with a precise mana cost of one black and one red mana. This specific requirement restricts its use to mostly red or black decks, or those that can reliably produce both colors, potentially excluding it from a wider range of deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Dreadbore’s mana cost isn’t excessively high, it demands two mana of different colors, which could be a challenge in the early game when mana resources are crucial. Additionally, with a sorcery speed, opponents have an opportunity to take advantage of the timing to work around the threat Dreadbore poses, compared to an instant speed removal which could be more disruptive.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dreadbore seamlessly adapts to a variety of deck builds that require targeted removal. It’s especially potent in decks that need to deal with pesky planeswalkers or threatening creatures without spending a fortune in mana costs.

Combo Potential: This card can contribute to synergistic plays by clearing the path for your own creatures to swing in or interact with other cards that benefit from opponents losing creatures or planeswalkers.

Meta-Relevance: Given a meta that’s heavy with creature-centric or planeswalker-dependent strategies, Dreadbore’s efficient removal capabilities make it extremely valuable and a potential game-changer, ensuring your deck can cope with various threats.


How to beat

Dreadbore is a powerful removal tool in Magic: The Gathering, offering players a straightforward way to eliminate troublesome planeswalkers and creatures from the battlefield. With its sorcery speed, it’s a card that demands strategic planning to use effectively or to counteract. For players facing off against this potent spell, the key is to prioritize resources that can’t be targeted by spells or have abilities to protect themselves.

A common strategy involves employing creatures with hexproof or shroud, ensuring they remain out of reach from targeted removal like Dreadbore. Additionally, counterspells are particularly useful for blue-deck wielders, allowing them to negate Dreadbore as it’s cast. Since it operates at sorcery speed, Dreadbore is vulnerable to instant-speed responses during a player’s turn, providing a tight window to thwart an opponent’s plans.

Ultimately, facing Dreadbore means adapting your gameplay to anticipate removal, countering it directly, or deploying threats that evade its effects. By incorporating resilient threats and keeping mana open for counterspells, players can effectively dampen the impact of Dreadbore in their matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

The dance of MTG gameplay is one of strategy and adaptability, and Dreadbore is a card that fits beautifully into that choreography. As you consider the strengths and limitations of this powerful removal tool, think about your deck’s synergy and the current metagame. Do you often clash with planeswalkers or find creatures blocking your path to victory? Maybe it’s time to weave a spell like Dreadbore into your strategic fabric. Enhance your deck’s flexibility and join us in the deeper exploration of MTG. Learn how Dreadbore and similar cards can become keystones in your victorious matches. Let your journey to mastery continue with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dreadbore MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Archenemy: Nicol Bolas, 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 Dreadbore and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dreadbore Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 1572003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
22017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 832015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
32019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 632015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 1412015NormalBorderlessVance Kelly
52024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3651997NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
62024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 365z2015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
72024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1802015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dreadbore has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal