Draconian Cylix MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact
Released	1994-11-01
Set symbol
Set name	Fallen Empires
Set code	FEM
Number	86
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Edward P. Beard, Jr.

Key Takeaways

Draconian Cylix grants card advantage and mana acceleration but requires careful hand management due to its discard clause.
It offers versatility and synergy potential, fitting well in decks that value mana fixing and combo plays.
Despite its strengths, it can be countered by including artifact removal and hand disruption in your strategy.

Text of card

, oc T: Discard a card at random from your hand to regenerate a target creature.

"There is no gain without sacrifice." —Icatian proverb

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Draconian Cylix offers a strategic edge by effortlessly refilling your hand, ensuring your options remain plentiful throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: This card seamlessly taps into additional mana resources, setting the stage for casting more impactful spells sooner than usually possible.

Instant Speed: The ability to operate at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to the unfolding game, making decisions with perfect timing and keeping opponents on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the limitations of Draconian Cylix is its discard requirement to unleash its effect. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is already running low on cards, forcing tough decisions on which resources to sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: Another consideration for including Draconian Cylix in your arsenal is its specific mana cost. Needing a precise combination of mana can be restrictive, making it less flexible and potentially difficult to cast on curve, particularly outside of a dedicated or two-color deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing this card against others in its category, the mana investment may seem steep. There are alternatives in the vast pool of available cards that might provide similar or better effects at a lower cost, which could be a deterrent for some players when building their deck.

Reasons to Include Draconian Cylix in Your Collection

Versatility: Draconian Cylix is a flexible card that can be seamlessly integrated into various deck archetypes. Its ability to filter mana can enable casting spells that may otherwise be difficult to play due to color restrictions. This utility makes it a valuable asset in building consistent and diverse manabases.

Combo Potential: As a piece that can interact with other mana generation cards, Draconian Cylix can become a linchpin in intricate combo setups. It may also synergize with cards that benefit from the conversion of mana types or the use of artifacts on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: The functionality of Draconian Cylix can be highly relevant in metagames that reward versatility and mana efficiency. It fits well in environments where the ability to adapt to opponent strategies and smoothly operate across multiple colors can be the difference between victory and defeat.

How to Beat Draconian Cylix

Draconian Cylix offers a unique advantage to players in Magic: The Gathering by providing both mana fixing and the potential for deck thinning. This card can be quite powerful when used efficiently, allowing players to filter through their decks and access specific colors of mana when most needed. However, every card has its countermeasure, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Draconian Cylix can provide a strategic edge.

To combat the advantage that Draconian Cylix gives an opponent, consider using artifact removal spells. Cards like Disenchant or Abrade are perfect tools for swiftly dealing with pesky artifacts like the Cylix. Additionally, employing strategies that involve hand disruption can be highly effective against players relying on artifacts, as it can prevent the Cylix from being played in the first place. Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can disrupt your opponent’s game plan early on, making Draconian Cylix less of a threat throughout the game.

Ultimately, dealing with Draconian Cylix boils down to smart deck construction and strategic play. By including artifact interaction and hand disruption within your deck, your chances of neutralizing the impact of Draconian Cylix on the game increase significantly, thereby reducing your opponent’s advantage.

Cards like Draconian Cylix

Draconian Cylix forges its way into the spectrum of mana rock artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, sharing a stage with renowned alternatives like the Felwar Stone. Both supply that crucial mana acceleration vital to prevailing in the match. The Felwar Stone, however, offers immediate access to any color of mana that an opponent’s lands could produce without further investment, whereas the Draconian Cylix demands a steep cost upfront for its additional upside.

When we look at similar cards such as Arcane Signet, the distinction is noteworthy. Arcane Signet also taps for one mana of any color in your commander’s color identity, but it does so unconditionally. This makes it an effortless inclusion in any commander-centric deck. Conversely, the Draconian Cylix stands out with its ability to manipulate graveyard strategies by filtering unwanted cards back into your library, albeit at a cost.

Considering the diversity of mana rocks in the game, Draconian Cylix offers a unique though situational advantage that resonates well within graveyard synergistic decks in MTG, especially those that can exploit its peculiar filtering mechanism to the fullest.

Cards similar to Draconian Cylix by color, type and mana cost

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Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Draconian Cylix MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires, 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 Draconian Cylix and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Draconian Cylix has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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