Ebon Drake MTG Card


Ebon Drake’s card draw ability can sustain play momentum, enhancing your strategic options. Mana ramping potential of Ebon Drake can lead to earlier deployment of high-impact spells. Instant speed reaction with Ebon Drake allows for superior tactical board control.
Ebon Drake - Fifth Dawn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Drake
Abilities Flying
Released2004-06-04
Set symbol
Set nameFifth Dawn
Set code5DN
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number48
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byPete Venters

Text of card

Flying Whenever a player plays a spell, you lose 1 life.

The deadliest killers serve only those who are not afraid to die.


Cards like Ebon Drake

The allure of Ebon Drake resides in its unique blend of abilities that cater to fans of creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to other four-mana flying creatures, Ebon Drake distinguishes itself with its life loss ability upon dying, reminiscent of cards like Bloodhunter Bat. Unlike the bat, which causes life loss when it enters the battlefield, Ebon Drake’s effect is triggered upon death, providing a potential surprise for your opponent during the late game.

Yet, if we look at Keening Banshee, another card with a death-related effect, we note a slight departure. Keening Banshee’s ability to target and decrease a creature’s power and toughness when it hits the field can be strategically advantageous, while Ebon Drake waits for the payoff at its demise. On a similar note, Abyssal Specter, with its four-mana cost, offers flying and the added detriment of making an opponent discard a card upon dealing combat damage, offering a different kind of incremental advantage.

When evaluating Ebon Drake against its counterparts, its power lies in its ability to catch opponents off-guard, potentially shifting the game’s momentum in your favor, making it an intriguing choice for players keen on effects that trigger after a creature’s death.

Bloodhunter Bat - MTG Card versions
Keening Banshee - MTG Card versions
Abyssal Specter - MTG Card versions
Bloodhunter Bat - MTG Card versions
Keening Banshee - MTG Card versions
Abyssal Specter - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ebon Drake provides a significant boost in hand resources by offering an alternate draw mechanism. This kind of effect can sustain your card flow and open more strategic plays as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: This formidable drake can be a game changer in terms of resource management. By its very nature, it lends itself to strategies built around ramping up your mana pool quickly, which can be critical for casting high-impact spells sooner than expected.

Instant Speed: The ability to react at instant speed with Ebon Drake offers a tactical edge. Deploying creatures or triggering abilities in response to your opponents’ moves can result in advantageous board states and more control over the game’s pace.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ebon Drake necessitates discarding another card when casting it. This can be particularly obstructive during late-game scenarios where hand size may be crucial to maintaining a competitive edge on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost demands both generic and black mana, which means it fits primarily into black-based decks, potentially curtailing its versatility across the diverse MTG multiverse.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its steep mana requirement, Ebon Drake competes with other high-impact cards in the same cost bracket. Considering this, players must weigh its inclusion against other powerful options available for decks seeking to optimize their mana curve.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ebon Drake’s ability to offer both offensive and defensive capabilities makes it a valuable asset in various deck archetypes. Its flying trait allows it to be an aerial threat while potentially evading many ground-based defenses.

Combo Potential: The card’s unique interactions with death-triggered abilities and graveyard mechanics can unlock numerous possibilities for synergies and combos in a well-constructed deck, enhancing both its performance and fun factor.

Meta-Relevance: As the dynamic of the game frequently shifts, cards like Ebon Drake that have a solid presence and can adapt to different playstyles maintain their importance. Depending on the prevalence of certain strategies, having Ebon Drake could give players a competitive edge.


How to beat Ebon Drake

Ebon Drake presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable card can be a serious threat, boasting abilities that could tip the scales in your opponent’s favor. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for developing a strategy to overcome its influence during the game.

To effectively counter Ebon Drake, consider the options available within your deck. Removal spells are a reliable way to deal with problematic creatures. Specifically, instant speed removal allows you to wait for the most opportune moment, such as when your opponent is tapped out, to minimize potential countermagic. Board wipes can also clear the way, eradicating Ebon Drake along with other creatures your opponent controls. Remember, it’s important to plan for what follows after Ebon Drake is dealt with, as your opponent may have additional threats.

Moreover, utilizing exile effects can prevent any recurrence that might arise with graveyard interactions, securing a longer-term answer to this persistent threat. Including versatile cards that can address multiple threats simultaneously will often give you an edge, paving your way to victory over Ebon Drake and its wielder alike.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the nuances of Magic the Gathering means making informed decisions about every card in your deck. Ebon Drake is a card that offers a distinct advantage in the right situation, complementing strategies that hinge on hand resource management and tactical board presence. Its limitations, including the discard requirement and specialized mana cost, invite careful consideration for deck synergy and meta-competitiveness. With its dual nature of an offensive creature and a strategic instant speed trigger, Ebon Drake can be a worthy inclusion in your collection. Ready to refine your strategy with Ebon Drake? Delve further with us into its strategic applications and optimize your deck’s potential.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ebon Drake MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn, 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 Ebon Drake and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ebon Drake has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-12-01 This ability triggers off anyone casting a spell, including you, not just Ebon Drake’s controller or an opponent.