Dreg Reaver MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Beast |
| Released | 2008-10-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shards of Alara |
| Set code | ALA |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 73 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Thomas M. Baxa |
Cards like Dreg Reaver
Dreg Reaver is an intriguing creature card within Magic: The Gathering’s vast repository of strategies. Bearing a resemblance to cards like Dross Crocodile in the black creature domain, both offer formidable power for their mana costs. Dreg Reaver presents itself as a straightforward option with power five and toughness three, akin to the crocodile’s stats—yet the crocodile does not necessitate threshold to reach its peak effectiveness.
In the same conversation is Daggerdrome Imp, which provides a lifelink ability, giving it a sustainable edge in long games. While the imp is less powerful on the offense compared to Dreg Reaver, its lifelink trait can turn the tide of battle in prolonged matches. Then we have Returned Phalanx, a card that sports a higher toughness but demands mana to attack unless your devotion to blue is fulfilled, making it situationally more versatile but overall less aggressive than Dreg Reaver.
When considering the balance of cost, power, and play conditions, Dreg Reaver fits well within a deck looking to deploy strength on the battlefield efficiently, even though it may lack additional abilities present in some of its peers.
Cards similar to Dreg Reaver by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dreg Reaver provides you with a resilient creature that can be a persistent threat on the board. Every time it returns from the graveyard, it can potentially lead to card advantage as your opponent may need to use additional removal spells to handle it.
Resource Acceleration: This card may not directly influence your mana pool, yet its essence lies in how it operates as a resource: offering repeated value from a single card. Deploying Dreg Reaver from the graveyard effectively accelerates your resource utilization by recurring a creature without spending cards from your hand.
Instant Speed: While Dreg Reaver itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its inherent ability to come back during your upkeep allows for strategic planning. You can freely use your mana on your opponent’s turn, knowing you’ll have a creature to play without tapping out on your own turn, thereby contributing to your instant-speed interaction potential.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Dreg Reaver demands the player to discard a card, which might strain your hand especially when critical resources need preserving.
Specific Mana Cost: Dreg Reaver’s black mana requirement binds it to specific deck archetypes, potentially limiting deck-building flexibility and strategic diversity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value standing decidedly on the higher side, players might opt for creatures or spells that provide more immediate impact or come with additional abilities at a similar or lower investment.
Reasons to Include Dreg Reaver in Your Collection
Versatility: Dreg Reaver is a flexible card, easily fitting into numerous deck archetypes due to its creature type and straightforward abilities. Its role in decks that leverage graveyard strategies is particularly noteworthy.
Combo Potential: The Reaver’s capacity to synergize with reanimation or sacrifice themes amplifies potential combos, making it a linchpin for intricate interactions within certain deck builds.
Meta-Relevance: Given its certain utility in graveyard-centric decks, Dreg Reaver holds its own in metas where such strategies are prevalent. Not to mention, it’s a useful tool against opponents’ graveyard manipulation, keeping it relevant in varied game scenarios.
How to beat Dreg Reaver
Dreg Reaver joins the array of creatures in Magic: The Gathering that bring interesting challenges to the battlefield. Boasting a formidable power, this creature can be quite the adversary. However, its menace can be mitigated through an array of strategic plays. Removal spells are your prime arsenal against this reaver. Utilizing options like Murder to bypass its toughness or Shatter the Sky for a clean sweeper can efficiently neutralize this threat without trading in creatures of your own.
Card efficiency is also key when facing Dreg Reaver. Opt for spells that can handle multiple threats at once or recur from your graveyard, giving you the upper hand in resource management. Including flexible answers such as Bone Shards allows you to address the Reaver while advancing your board state. Don’t forget to consider tempo plays that could delay your opponent’s game and give you more time to establish control.
Ultimately, facing down Dreg Reaver requires a blend of foresight and tactical cunning. With the right removal spells and strategic planning, you can ensure this daunting creature doesn’t overwhelm the game. Keep these tips in mind, and turning the tide against Dreg Reaver may become part of your winning repertoire.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dreg Reaver MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Dreg Reaver 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 Dreg Reaver has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |