Dross Golem MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Abilities	Affinity,Fear
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	119
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Adam Rex

Key Takeaways

Dross Golem’s swamp affinity allows for swift, mana-efficient plays, fitting seamlessly into mono-black decks.
Despite an affinity for swamps, its specific mana base and high cost can limit deck versatility.
While susceptible to common removal tactics, Dross Golem remains a valuable component in artifact strategies.

Text of card

Affinity for Swamps (This spell costs less to play for each Swamp you control.) Fear

The longer it skulks through the corrosive gases of Mephidross, the more it adopts their thirst for death.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The unique affinity for swamps mechanic of the Dross Golem allows for a potentially cost-free deployment, bypassing mana investment and preserving hand resources for other strategic plays.

Resource Acceleration: This artefact creature can be a key piece in an aggressive strategy, hitting the battlefield earlier than its mana cost suggests when controlling multiple swamps, effectively accelerating your board presence without tapping resources.

Instant Speed: Although Dross Golem doesn’t operate at instant speed, its streamlined deployment from the hand compensates by enabling a swift shift in board state, keeping opponents on their toes and always guessing what you could cast next.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Dross Golem has an affinity for swamps, which makes it particularly dependent on a deck heavy with these lands. Players running multicolored decks or those with fewer swamps may find it less useful, as it can struggle to fit into non-monoblack strategies.

Discard Requirement: While not directly requiring a discard, Dross Golem could indirectly pressure a player’s hand. As the golem benefits from a substantial graveyard due to its Fear ability, strategies involving self-discard to stock the graveyard could leave a player at a card disadvantage, resulting in strategic drawbacks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite the potentially reduced cost through its affinity, Dross Golem initially sits at a five mana cost, which can be taxing in the early-to-mid game. Considering the mana investment, other creatures at a similar or lower cost can offer immediate board presence or additional abilities without the reliance on a swamp-centric mana base.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dross Golem can seamlessly integrate into numerous artifact-centric strategies and its capability to become unblockable in decks with Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth makes it a multifaceted threat.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards like Disciple of the Vault or Time Sieve, Dross Golem can become a key component in a powerful and potentially game-ending synergy.

Meta-Relevance: Given its resilience against artifact removal and being a natural fit in mono-black control or artifact-heavy decks, Dross Golem maintains relevance in various metagames, offering a sturdy option for players looking to thwart creature removal tactics.

How to beat

Dross Golem is a versatile artifact creature known for its ability to dodge the usual summoning costs in Magic: The Gathering when you control a swamp. Despite this advantage, there are reliable strategies to counteract this golem’s presence on the battlefield. One effective approach is to use creature removal spells that don’t rely on targeting, such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation”, which can sweep away Dross Golem regardless of its potential cost reduction.

Artefact-specific removal spells like “Shatter” or “Nature’s Claim” also offer a solution as they can target Dross Golem directly for a minimal investment. Opting for counter spells such as “Mana Leak” when the golem is cast can prevent it from even entering the play, circumventing its cost-reducing trait entirely. It’s also worth noting that lands alteration effects, which can change your opponent’s swamps into other land types, indirectly increase Dross Golem’s casting cost, making it more cumbersome for your opponent to summon.

In summary, while Dross Golem can be a cost-efficient creature in decks tailored to exploit its swamp affinity, it still falls victim to several common and efficient removal tactics in Magic: The Gathering, making it a manageable threat.

Cards like Dross Golem

Dross Golem paves its own lane among artifact creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its most direct counterpart is Spire Golem, as both showcase an affinity for their respective environments. Spire Golem, tethered to Islands, holds an advantage in blue-based decks, just as Dross Golem shines with its affiliation to swamps. Nevertheless, Dross Golem has the distinctive ability to become unblockable provided you control enough swamps, giving it a tactical edge in monoblack decks.

Myr Enforcer is another artifact creature that often draws comparisons. It also benefits from cost reduction, getting cheaper for each artifact you control. While the Enforcer doesn’t have Dross Golem’s unblockable trait, it compensates with a sturdier body, making it more resilient against common damage-based removal.

Frost Walker offers a unique spin on the cost-effective creature concept. Although not related to the number of lands or artifacts in play, it boasts a substantial power for its low cost. Still, its fragility upon being targeted makes it less durable than Dross Golem, which can potentially slip through defenses undetected. Each of these creatures provides a distinctive strategic value, with Dross Golem occupying a niche spot for swamp-heavy, aggressive strategies.

Cards similar to Dross Golem by color, type and mana cost

The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dross Golem MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Dross Golem and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dross Golem has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal