Torch Drake MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Drake
Abilities	Flying
Released	2006-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Guildpact
Set code	GPT
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	38
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daren Bader

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage and aggressive attacks through its flying ability, impacting game flow.
Excels in multicolor decks, offers flexibility and surprises with its instant-speed power boosts.
Demands strategic hand management and precise mana allocation for optimal performance.

Text of card

Flying : Torch Drake gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

"Drakes? Bah! Things that breathe don't interest me. It breathes *fire*, you say? Well, that's a different story!" —Zataz, Izzet clockwork artificer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Torch Drake grants you the benefit of accessing additional cards through its flying ability, creating opportunities for advantageous attacks that can often lead to more cards in your hand over the long term.

Resource Acceleration: This card shines in multicolor decks by aiding your mana curve. Although it doesn’t add mana directly, the prowess of the Torch Drake in the battlefield can accelerate your win conditions by being a consistent aggressive threat that must be responded to.

Instant Speed: The activation of Torch Drake’s ability to gain +1/+0 until end of turn works at instant speed, providing you with flexibility to surprise your opponent during combat and pivot your strategies responsively during the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Torch Drake, players often face the dilemma of choosing which card to discard to harness its ability. This decision can be particularly taxing when your hand size is dwindling, pushing you into unfavorable trades or forcing you to get rid of potentially valuable assets later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Torch Drake’s cost demands both blue and red mana, pigeonholing it into multicolor decks that can accommodate these requirements. Players who do not run such decks or who face mana fixing issues might find it challenging to cast Torch Drake when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Torch Drake sitting at four mana for a creature that doesn’t immediately impact the board, players might find it underwhelming. Generally, at this cost, one could expect a more impactful presence or a card that offers immediate utility or threat potential. The cost-to-effect ratio of Torch Drake might not align with the curve efficiency expected in some strategies.

Reasons to Include Torch Drake in Your Collection

Versatility: Torch Drake offers flexibility in multiple deck types, tailoring to strategies that capitalize on flying creatures or needing a consistent threat in the air.

Combo Potential: Its ability to gain additional power through mana investment can tie into decks that have untap synergies or those that manipulate +1/+1 counters, providing recurring value.

Meta-Relevance: With an evolving MTG landscape, Torch Drake can adapt to various metas, particularly if fliers are less contested or if the format slows down, allowing its scalable power to become a game-changer.

How to beat

Torch Drake presents players with an aerial threat through flying and the unique ability to grant itself a power boost. Its versatility can often be underestimated in the heat of battle. While the flying attribute allows it to evade many ground-based blockers, the key to overcoming this card lies in pinpointing its weaknesses.

To effectively counter Torch Drake, you’d want to focus on removal spells that target flyers or use abilities that don’t rely on blocking to eliminate threats. Instant speed removal such as Path to Exile or Murder can swiftly deal with Torch Drake before it becomes too much of a nuisance. Additionally, employing creatures with the reach ability or ones that can damage creatures in the air can level the playing field, nullifying Torch Drake’s advantage.

Cards with countermagic like Negate also offer a proactive approach, nipping the problem in the bud by preventing Torch Drake from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Tackling the Drake’s secondary ability to boost its power through mana investment becomes a matter of disrupting your opponent’s mana base or baiting them to sink their resources into the Drake before wiping it away. By staying one step ahead, you maintain control and keep Torch Drake from scorching your chances at victory.

Cards like Torch Drake

Torch Drake is an intriguing card that finds its place among flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This blue Drake mirrors various aspects of fellow flyers, like Wee Dragonauts, which also gains a power boost upon casting an instant or sorcery spell. However, Torch Drake distinguishes itself with its ability to gain +1/+0 until end of turn for a single blue mana, potentially multiple times, making it a formidable attacker in the skies.

Comparing it to another relative, the Skyship Plunderer, which also flies and interacts with the energy mechanic in a unique way, we observe that Torch Drake sticks to traditional power-ups, favoring a more straightforward combat approach. Lastly, there’s the Enigma Drake, with its power directly tied to the number of instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard, which can occasionally outpower the Torch Drake but lacks the same level of mana flexibility during combat.

Ultimately, while each card offers diverse strategic value to an MTG player’s deck, Torch Drake’s ability to repeatedly boost its power within a turn cycle can be a significant tactical advantage, exemplifying its strength among flying creatures in strategic aerial assaults.

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

Elemental Expressionist - MTG Card versions

Torrent Sculptor // Flamethrower Sonata - MTG Card versions

Mizzix of the Izmagnus - MTG Card versions

Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain - MTG Card versions

The Fifteenth Doctor - MTG Card versions

Zaffai, Thunder Conductor - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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