Kargan Dragonrider MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 297
2019-11-15 - Number 40
2022-10-14 - Number 81
2022-12-02 - Number 561
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
As long as you control a Dragon, Kargan Dragonrider has flying. (It can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.)
"Only those who give the dragons the respect they deserve may bear our title."
Cards like Kargan Dragonrider
Kargan Dragonrider makes for an interesting case study when discussing the dynamics of creature cards with flying abilities in Magic: The Gathering. It stands in line with cards like Skyship Stalker, yet each card serves a distinctive role depending on the deck’s overarching strategy. Kargan Dragonrider requires you to control a dragon to unlock its potential to fly. In contrast, Skyship Stalker inherently has flying and can also gain other abilities provided you have the mana to invest.
Another card worth comparing is the Dragon Hatchling, a creature that, like Kargan Dragonrider, becomes considerably more powerful when complemented by additional mana. It’s crucial to highlight that Dragon Hatchling’s ability to adjust its flying power grants a more flexible offensive capability. Though it doesn’t possess the same initial strength as the Dragonrider, it does offer a variable attack presence each turn.
Assessing these similar cards, it becomes evident that Kargan Dragonrider holds a place in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile creature that can pivot from ground support to aerial threat—a valuable trait in decks looking to maximize synergy with dragon-type cards.
Cards similar to Kargan Dragonrider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Kargan Dragonrider doesn’t directly provide card advantage, its ability to ascend and gain flying can help maintain pressure on your opponent and protect your aerial threats, indirectly maintaining card quality on the board.
Resource Acceleration: Kargan Dragonrider itself may not ramp your resources, but its low mana cost allows for effective resource management, helping you deploy more threats or keep mana open for responses.
Instant Speed: While Kargan Dragonrider lacks instant speed capabilities, it synergizes well with cards that do. It’s a solid creature that benefits from the surprise factor instant-speed spells provide, helping it to dodge removal or become an unexpected blocker when opponents least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Kargan Dragonrider doesn’t directly require a discard, having to maintain card advantage to activate its ability can be tantamount to a discard if you’re forced to play spells just to enable flying.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Kargan Dragonrider demands red mana, which may not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks, potentially causing mana base issues for those not heavily invested in red.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Charging four mana for a 2/2 that requires another specific condition to gain flying could be seen as inefficient, especially when there are creatures at a lower mana cost that offer immediate evasion or additional abilities.
Reasons to Include Kargan Dragonrider in Your Collection
Versatility: Kargan Dragonrider is a flexible card that can be seamlessly woven into various deck styles. It shines in those that capitalize on its flying ability once you control a Dragon, serving as both an offensive and defensive asset.
Combo Potential: With its Dragon synergy, this card offers combo potential by interacting with other Dragon-themed cards or mechanics that reward you for playing with a high-flying board presence.
Meta-Relevance: The metagame continuously changes, but creatures that can easily gain flying present a constant threat. Kargan Dragonrider adapts well to environments where it’s crucial to evade ground blockers or surprise your opponent with an aerial attacker.
How to beat
Kargan Dragonrider holds its own in the sky, soaring high once you assert dominance over the battlefield with a formidable dragon presence. In the world of Magic: The Gathering, dragons symbolize strength and power, but every creature, no matter how mighty, has its vulnerabilities. To ground the Dragonrider, focus on removing its wingmen—the dragons that enable its flight ability. Creature removal spells can disrupt this synergy, ensuring that the Dragonrider remains terrestrial and far more manageable.
Board wipes are especially effective against a deck that relies on assembling a specific creature combo, such as Kargan Dragonrider and dragons. By clearing the battlefield of all creatures, you reset the board and force your opponent to rebuild their strategy from scratch. Targeted removal spells, which eliminate single threats at a time, are also solid choices. They allow you to precisely pick off the essential dragons that empower the Dragonrider, which is a less resource-intensive way to keep the card under control.
With these tactics, you can create a solid game plan to mitigate the advantage that Kargan Dragonrider aims to bring to your opponent’s aerial assault. It’s about strategic removal and timing, ensuring your opponent’s skies are clear of dragons and their Dragonriders stay grounded.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kargan Dragonrider MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Game Night 2019, 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 Kargan Dragonrider 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
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Printings
The Kargan Dragonrider Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Greg Opalinski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 297 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Opalinski | |
| 2 | 2019-11-15 | Game Night 2019 | GN2 | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Opalinski | |
| 3 | 2022-10-14 | Game Night: Free-for-All | GN3 | 81 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Opalinski | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 561 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Opalinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kargan Dragonrider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |