Purifying Dragon MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 155
2022-01-28 - Number 155
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Attack-triggered ability grants card advantage by enabling you to play the exiled top card.
- Accelerates mana resources with each hit, sculpting the ground for strategic plays.
- Demanding mana cost and discard requirement could limit deck integration flexibility.
Text of card
Flying Whenever Purifying Dragon attacks, it deals 1 damage to target creature defending player controls. If that creature is a Zombie, Purifying Dragon deals 2 damage to it instead.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Purifying Dragon provides an edge as it lets you exile the top card of your library and play that card this turn whenever it attacks. This ability unearths additional options and can tilt the scales in your favor by extending your accessible resources.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does this formidable dragon offer flexibility in combat, but it can also accelerate your mana resources. Each successful hit against an opponent activates its resource acceleration, which can be a critical advantage in constructing a winning strategy.
Instant Speed: Although the dragon itself does not function at instant speed, it synergizes well with spells of such caliber. Its aggressive presence on the board forces opponents to play cautiously, keeping their instant-speed responses in check, and potentially paving the way for your other high-impact plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Purifying Dragon necessitates discarding a card to activate its pivotal ability. This condition can be problematic, especially when your hand is nearly empty or when every card in hand is valuable for your gameplay strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a mana cost that demands a precise combination of colors, Purifying Dragon may not seamlessly fit into every dragon-centric or multi-colored deck, potentially restricting its versatility and requiring a deck build-around.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the higher end, this card might be a slower option compared to others that hit the battlefield sooner. In fast-paced games or against decks that ramp quickly, you might find this cost restrictive or inefficient.
Reasons to Include Purifying Dragon in Your Collection
Versatility: Purifying Dragon can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes, particularly those that capitalize on dragon synergies or red’s prowess for direct damage. Its ability to impact the board immediately makes it a flexible inclusion for many strategies.
Combo Potential: With its capability to deal damage upon attacking, Purifying Dragon pairs well with cards that benefit from dealing noncombat damage to opponents. It can serve as a key piece in combos looking to capitalize on consistent damage outputs.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small creature decks are prevalent, Purifying Dragon shines as a deterrent against such strategies. Its presence on the battlefield can sway the game in your favor by threatening to clear opponents’ smaller threats turn after turn.
How to beat
Purifying Dragon is a formidable presence in any MTG deck, soaring into the battlefield with the potential to shift the tides of play. Esteemed for its dragon lineage and fiery might, facing this creature across the table could be daunting. To outmaneuver your opponent’s Purifying Dragon, it’s crucial to anticipate the dragon’s arrival
Strategically, controlling the skies becomes imperative. Resourceful players might lean on spells that cause creatures to lose flying or employ removal cards to staunch its fiery onslaught before it scorches a path to victory. Utilizing instant-speed removals can catch your opponent off-guard, stripping them of their scaly threat before it has a chance to purify anything with its blazing breath.
But remember, your goal isn’t merely to react but to preempt. Therefore, disrupting your opponent’s mana base to delay the dragon’s deployment or applying early pressure to limit their options could save you from its purging flames. In the dance of strategy and foresight, your success at the table often hinges on outthinking the Purifying Dragon’s flames, turning its incendiary entrance into but a flicker in your grasp of victory.
Cards like Purifying Dragon
Purifying Dragon offers a unique approach to creature control within Magic: The Gathering. This card can be likened to other creatures with damage-dealing abilities, such as Scorching Dragonfire. What sets Purifying Dragon apart is its specific focus on dealing damage to enchantment creatures or enchanted creatures, making it particularly useful in specific metagames where such targets are prevalent.
Similarly, Stormbreath Dragon presents as another formidable creature, providing protection from white and the potential for a monstrous ability that damages the opponent based on the number of cards in their hand. While it doesn’t directly deal with enchantments, its evasion and player damage potential make it an interesting comparison to Purifying Dragon. Another card that springs to mind is Thundermaw Hellkite, which delivers immediate impact with its ability to tap flying creatures, paving the way for unobstructed attacks. Though not offering enchantment interaction, its hasty nature and board influence are worth considering.
Ultimately, the utility of Purifying Dragon lies within its synergistic role in decks that face enchantment-heavy opponents, carving its own niche in the broader context of dragon creatures in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Purifying Dragon by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Purifying Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Purifying Dragon and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Purifying Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Zezhou Chen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 155 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 155 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Purifying Dragon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
