Exalted Dragon MTG Card
1998-06-15 - Number 6
2015-05-06 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying Each turn, Exalted Dragon cannot attack unless you sacrifice a land.
If dragons excel at anything more than vanity, it is greed.
Cards like Exalted Dragon
Exalted Dragon is a standout in Magic: The Gathering’s repertoire of flying creatures, thanks to its dominance in the air and the peculiar upkeep mechanic it possesses. It shares the skies with cards like Serra Angel, a classic flyer renowned for vigilance and combat presence without the upkeep cost. Yet, Exalted Dragon requires the sacrifice of an untapped land, a twist that makes deck construction and playstyle adapt in unique ways.
Another card that echoes the land-centric theme is Avalanche Riders, which, while not a flyer, impacts land by destroying them and has an echo cost. It brings to the table a different strategy by disrupting opponents’ mana bases. Then there’s Cataclysm, a spell with a broader effect, forcing players to choose a creature, land, enchantment, and artifact to keep, and sacrificing the rest. Although not a creature, Cataclysm alters the board significantly, akin to the tactical land decisions prompted by Exalted Dragon’s upkeep.
In analyzing the similarities and differences, it’s clear that Exalted Dragon occupies a unique niche. With its compulsory land upkeep cost, it provides players a challenging yet rewarding experience in building a deck that maximizes the use of this mighty dragon.
Cards similar to Exalted Dragon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Exalted Dragon’s ability to provide a strong board presence challenges opponents to deal with it promptly. Crafting a gameplay where Exalted Dragon leaps into the battlefield can swiftly shift the tide to your favor, potentially leading to card advantage as opponents exhaust resources to answer the threat.
Resource Acceleration: While Exalted Dragon itself does not directly contribute to mana acceleration, its substantial presence can efficiently pave the way for powerful late-game spells. By demanding immediate attention, it can indirectly lead to resource conservation as opponents may be compelled to delay their own development to address it.
Instant Speed: The inclusion of Exalted Dragon in a deck that also has instant-speed interaction and flash creatures enables a strategic and responsive playstyle. This synergizes with keeping mana open for immediate threats or actions during an opponent’s turn while still threatening with the potential of a massive Dragon swing on your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Exalted Dragon necessitates players to discard a card whenever it attacks. This can deplete resources quickly, especially in drawn-out games where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a specific mana cost that requires two white and four other mana, Exalted Dragon can strain mana resources in multicolored decks, limiting its playability to mainly mono-white or two-color decks aligned with white.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost demanding six mana, Exalted Dragon competes with other high-impact cards that may offer more immediate or versatile benefits. In many cases, players may opt for creatures with lower mana costs or those that impact the board right away upon being cast.
Reasons to Include Exalted Dragon in Your Collection
Versatility: Exalted Dragon offers flexibility in deck-building, fitting well into strategies that capitalize on flying creatures and evasive tactics. Its ability to phase out can be a defensive asset under the right conditions.
Combo Potential: Utilized in conjunction with cards that benefit from creatures phasing in and out, Exalted Dragon can be part of a powerful combo setup, potentially exploiting various phase-related mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where flyers are dominant and control decks try to establish board presence, Exalted Dragon can act as a resilient threat that’s hard to permanently remove, making it reactive to some of the current playstyles.
How to beat
The Exalted Dragon is an old favorite among flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its power lies in its flying ability and potential to lay waste to opponent’s land resources. Yet, like any formidable creature, it has its weaknesses. When facing this airborne threat, one method to secure victory is by employing removal spells that can bypass its hefty mana cost. Cards like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can handle the dragon efficiently, transforming a potential problem into a solution.
Furthermore, countering the Exalted Dragon before it hits the battlefield is a sound strategy. Blue players may lean on classic counterspells or rope in more recent additions like Dovin’s Veto to ensure this creature never flaps its wings in play. For those preferring to play less reactively, employing creatures with reach or cards that strip away flying can level the playing field, allowing you to deal with the Dragon on your terms.
Understanding the beast’s strengths and weaknesses is crucial, and a well-built deck with answers to flying heavyweights ensures that your chances against the Exalted Dragon soar high above the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Exalted Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Tempest Remastered, 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 Exalted Dragon 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
Printings
The Exalted Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Matthew D. Wilson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-15 | Exodus | EXO | 6 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Matthew D. Wilson | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matthew D. Wilson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Exalted Dragon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Exalted Dragon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You have to sacrifice a land at the time you declare this creature as an attacker if you want it to attack. This is additive with any other attack costs. |