Lumengrid Drake MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Drake |
| Abilities | Flying,Metalcraft |
| Released | 2010-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scars of Mirrodin |
| Set code | SOM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 36 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Johann Bodin |
Text of card
Flying Metalcraft — When Lumengrid Drake enters the battlefield, if you control three or more artifacts, return target creature to its owner's hand.
Properly outfitted, drakes made perfect sentries for vedalken strongholds.
Cards like Lumengrid Drake
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Lumengrid Drake joins the roster of creatures that offer more than just their attack and defense stats. It’s akin to creatures like Man-o’-War, another classic card that bounces target creatures to their owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield. Lumengrid Drake, however, holds the added flexibility of being part of the metalcraft mechanic, potentially allowing the bounce effect to be a repeatable action if paired with the right cards.
Reflector Mage is another comparable card, not just bouncing an opponent’s creature but also preventing it from being cast again the following turn. While this can set an opponent back significantly, the Mage does not bring the metalcraft synergy that Lumengrid Drake could capitalize on in an artifact-rich deck. Aether Adept is a further example, offering a similar creature-bouncing service without additional conditions or benefits, presenting a pure and straightforward option for decks not built around artifacts.
Ultimately, Lumengrid Drake may hold a unique position in blue decks, especially those heavy on artifacts. Its ability to potentially control the board repeatedly, with the right setup, gives it an edge in specific MTG gameplay strategies and deck-building exercises.
Cards similar to Lumengrid Drake by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The capability of Lumengrid Drake to return a target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand when it enters the battlefield ensures you stay ahead. Not only are you developing your board presence with a flying creature, but you are also setting your opponent back, effectively generating a two-for-one scenario which is always a solid strategy in any match.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, the tempo gain from bouncing one of your opponent’s permanents can indirectly accelerate your resources. By disrupting their development, you retain mana that would otherwise be spent on dealing with threats, allowing you to deploy your hand faster and more efficiently.
Instant Speed: The mechanic of flash on Lumengrid Drake allows you to play it at instant speed. This gives you the flexibility to act on your opponent’s turn, creating opportunities for surprise blocks or choosing the most advantageous moment to disrupt their strategy. Playing creatures on your opponent’s end step can be a significant tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the downsides of leveraging Lumengrid Drake’s abilities is the possible discard requirement. This can be particularly inconvenient when your hand is already depleted, forcing you to lose potentially valuable cards just to summon or activate its effects.
Specific Mana Cost: Lumengrid Drake demands a specific mana combination to cast, which includes blue mana. This requirement may not synergize well with all deck types, especially those that do not prioritize blue mana or multi-color compatibility, thereby limiting its versatility in various strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep cost to bring into play, Lumengrid Drake might not be the optimal choice for players looking for efficiency. Other creatures or spells could offer similar or even better abilities for a lower mana investment, providing a more economical option for control or midrange decks looking to maximize their mana usage each turn.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Lumengrid Drake can be a smart addition to decks that thrive on bouncing creatures, whether for reusing enter-the-battlefield effects or for tempo advantage against opponents.
Combo Potential: This card can work in tandem with permanents that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, opening up opportunities for chain reactions and synergies within your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures have a space to shine, Lumengrid Drake serves as both a utility creature and a potential aerial threat, adaptable to the shifting landscape of the game.
How to beat
Lumengrid Drake is an intriguing card to encounter in the world of MTG. With its value stemming from the ‘flying’ ability and the flexibility it offers by potentially returning another creature to its owner’s hand upon being cast. This combination of evasion and temporary removal places Lumengrid Drake in a niche zone of utility creatures.
Handling Lumengrid Drake effectively comes down to timing and strategic removal. Since its strength comes into play when casting, it’s key to disrupt this sequence. You can wait to cast creatures with ‘flash’ to avoid the Drake’s return effect, blunting its tempo play. Additionally, since it’s a creature with flying, deploying reach or flying blockers can neutralize its offensive capability, effectively grounding the threat it poses on the battlefield. Lastly, cheap removal spells that can target creatures irrespective of their abilities ensure that Lumengrid Drake is dealt with swiftly, regardless of the battlefield state. Therefore, with a proper response, Lumengrid Drake’s impact can be minimized, allowing you to maintain control of the game.
While deceptively simple, Lumengrid Drake can be an impactful card. However, with smart play and the right counters, overcoming it is more than feasible, allowing you to regain the upper hand in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lumengrid Drake MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Lumengrid Drake 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lumengrid Drake has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lumengrid Drake card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | The triggered ability is mandatory. If you control three or more artifacts as Lumengrid Drake enters the battlefield, you must target a creature. If there are no other creatures on the battlefield, you must target Lumengrid Drake itself. As the ability resolves, if you control three or more artifacts, you must return the targeted creature to its owner’s hand. |