Drover of the Swine MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Human Warlock |
| Abilities | Conjure |
| Released | 2023-10-10 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: Wilds of Eldraine |
| Set code | YWOE |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 17 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Warren Mahy |
Key Takeaways
- Grants card advantage by turning lesser creatures into threats without needing additional card draws.
- Functions as a mana dork, hastening your play of larger spells which are crucial in many MTG formats.
- Synergizes with instant-speed spells, ready to generate mana when most needed in MTG.
Text of card
When Drover of the Swine enters the battlefield, choose one — • Conjure a card of your choice from the Three Pigs spellbook onto the battlefield. • Return up to three target Boar creature cards with different names from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though not in the conventional sense, Drover of the Mighty grants a form of card advantage by potentially transforming your low-impact creatures into substantial threats. This can provide you with valuable creatures without the need to draw additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: This card can effectively function as a mana dork, offering a mana boost by tapping for green to ramp into your bigger spells faster, which is critical in formats like Commander or standard ramp strategies.
Instant Speed: Although Drover of the Mighty doesn’t operate at instant speed, its synergy with instant-speed spells that put creatures onto the battlefield can significantly benefit from being untapped and ready to generate mana whenever you need it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Drover of the Swine can provide significant benefits, the card requires you to discard other cards as part of its transformation cost. This can be quite problematic when your hand is already depleting, or if you’re forced to toss away key pieces of your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Drover of the Swine demands a specific mana combination to cast—green and blue. This requirement might restrict its inclusion to only certain types of decks that can generate this mana efficiently, potentially limiting the card’s versatility in a broad range of Magic the Gathering decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Delivering its transformative ability at a somewhat steep cost, the card could be considered mana-intensive. When you factor in the total mana to both play and utilize its ability, its total cost could sideline it in favor of lower-cost cards that provide similar or better value without putting as much strain on your mana resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Drover of the Swine offers diverse play options, meshing well with decks that aim to convert a quantity of creatures into a quality, overpowering force.
Combo Potential: This card serves as an excellent finisher in “overrun” strategies by turning any number of small creatures into hefty 3/3 Beasts, setting up game-winning swings.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to bypass board stalls by upgrading smaller creatures, Drover of the Swine can be particularly effective when creature strategies dominate the play environment.
How to beat
Drover of the Mighty is a popular creature card in Magic: The Gathering deck-building circles, mainly for its utility in dinosaur-themed decks. Its appeal lies in its low mana cost and ability to ramp up a player’s mana base, especially when there’s a dinosaur to trigger its power boost. Yet, every card has its counter, and Drover of the Mighty is no exception.
To effectively suppress this card’s potential, target removal spells are your best friends. Direct damage spells like Shocks or Fatal Push are efficient at dispatching the Drover before it can become a larger threat on the board. Moreover, if you keep the battlefield clear of dinosaurs, you ensure that the Drover remains a harmless 1/1 creature, incapable of influencing the game significantly.
Additionally, board control tactics serve well in containing the Drover’s mana acceleration capacities. Utilizing sweepers or enforcing taxing effects on creature spells can limit the number of dinosaurs entering the battlefield, thereby reducing Drover’s impact. In conclusion, by prioritizing the removal of key creatures and preventing your opponent from establishing a wide board presence, you can negate the advantages offered by Drover of the Mighty and maintain control over the game.
Cards like Drover of the Swine
Drover of the Mighty stands as a strong contender in the realm of creature cards that boost mana in Magic: The Gathering. It draws a parallel with cards such as Llanowar Elves, which has been a fundamental mana dork, providing a consistent ramp since its debut. Unlike the Elves, Drover of the Mighty brings more versatility to the table by tapping for any color mana, which is pivotal for multicolor decks.
When considering other comparisons, Birds of Paradise also comes to mind. This classic card similarly taps for mana of any color but soars a bit higher with its flying ability. However, Drover of the Mighty edges out with the potential of becoming a 3/3 creature, provided you control a dinosaur, making it both a ramp tool and a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Rounding out this group is Sylvan Caryatid, another multifaceted mana dork that offers any color mana. It stands out with hexproof, meaning it can’t be targeted by your opponents’ spells or abilities. Although it doesn’t grow in power like Drover, its resilience is undeniably valuable. Assessing each card’s strengths, Drover of the Mighty showcases remarkable adaptability and growth potential, solidifying its place in decks that value flexibility and power progression.
Cards similar to Drover of the Swine by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Drover of the Swine MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Drover of the Swine and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Drover of the Swine has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |