Fire Drake MTG Card

Fire Drake can draw cards quickly, applying constant pressure on your opponent. Its instant speed play offers unmatched adaptability in matches. Despite mana cost, its versatility makes it a formidable choice.

The Dark (DRK)
1994-08-01 - Number 62

Chronicles (CHR)
1995-07-01 - Number 47

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 226

Masters Edition III (ME3)
2009-09-07 - Number 98

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Drake
Abilities	Flying
Power	1
Toughness	2

Text of card

Flying oo R +1/+0 until end of turn. No more than o R may be spent in this way each turn.

Cards like Fire Drake

Fire Drake shares the battlefield with a brood of other formidable fliers in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It’s often held in comparison with cards like Furnace Whelp, another dragon-themed creature. Both require a mana investment to increase their damage output, although the Furnace Whelp’s fire-breathing ability is marginally more mana-efficient. Unlike Fire Drake, it doesn’t need a turn to get ready, giving it an immediate impact once it’s airborne.

Spitting Drake is also a kin from the skies, bearing a slight resemblance in mechanics. While it also allows the enhancement of its attack, Spitting Drake doesn’t provide the same endurance, as its toughness doesn’t get a similar boost—a crucial tactical difference in aerial duels. Fire Drake’s ability to endure and strike back can be a game-changer in extended skirmishes.

In the grand scheme of things, Fire Drake carves its niche among creature cards with its balance of aggression and resistance. Its specificity in red mana aligns it closely with decks seeking to capitalize on mana efficiency and protracted damage capabilities, rounding out its role as a steadfast companion in the skies of Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Fire Drake by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

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Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

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Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The strategic inclusion of Fire Drake in your deck revolves around its potential to grant card advantage. Each successful strike to your opponent not only chips away at their life total but also sifts through your library, bringing you closer to the tools needed for victory.

Resource Acceleration: Kicking off a match with Fire Drake sets a brisk tempo, effectively allowing you to harness the mana needed to deploy larger threats or respond with key spells significantly earlier in the match, which can easily tilt the scales in your favor.

Instant Speed: Fire Drake’s capability to be unleashed at instant speed cannot be overstated. This flexibility lets you adapt to the ever-shifting battlefield, making timing your plays a crucial factor in leveraging this draconic force.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fire Drake may necessitate discarding another card to engage its abilities, which can deplete your hand when you might need those resources for other plays.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a precise blend of mana, with an emphasis on red. This makes it less flexible and potentially difficult to summon in multicolored decks that are not heavily red.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its power level and abilities, Fire Drake comes with a steep mana investment. In a game where speed can be a deciding factor, its casting cost can hold you back, especially when there are numerous other creatures and spells that offer a better cost-to-benefit ratio.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fire Drake shines due to its ability to thrive in multiple deck types. Its presence is noteworthy in decks that capitalize on flying creatures or those looking to benefit from direct damage strategies.

Combo Potential: This creature card can play a critical role in combos, especially when synergized with enchantments or spells that increase its power or provide additional attack opportunities.

Meta-Relevance: With the constantly shifting dynamics of the game, Fire Drake can be a tactical choice against decks that are vulnerable to flyers or have a weakness to consistent damage sources over time.

How to beat

Fire Drake is an evasive creature in Magic the Gathering, known for its flying ability and potential to bolster its power through mana investment. When facing such a creature, efficient removal spells are key. Cards like Doom Blade and Fatal Push can dispose of the Fire Drake before it becomes a considerable threat. Similarly, countering it upon casting with spells like Counterspell or Essence Scatter is also an effective strategy.

Another tactic is to deploy creatures with reach or those that have flying themselves to block Fire Drake in combat. This can help neutralize the advantage its flying ability confers. Ensnaring creatures like Spider Spawning or Giant Spider can create multiple blockers, drastically reducing the effectiveness of Fire Drake’s aerial prowess.

Lastly, it’s crucial to manage your resources wisely. Fire Drake requires a continuous mana investment to be a significant threat. Disrupting your opponent’s mana base with cards like Molten Rain or Stone Rain can prevent them from fueling Fire Drake’s power-boosting ability, keeping the threat at bay and smoothly navigating towards victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fire Drake MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Chronicles, 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 Fire Drake and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fire Drake Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-08-01	The Dark	DRK	62	1993	Normal	Black	Christopher Rush
2	1995-07-01	Chronicles	CHR	47	1993	Normal	White	Christopher Rush
3	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	226	1997	Normal	White	Christopher Rush
4	2009-09-07	Masters Edition III	ME3	98	1997	Normal	Black	Christopher Rush

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fire Drake has restrictions

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