Mist Dragon MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Dragon
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	79
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Al Davidson

Key Takeaways

Mist Dragon’s self-returning ability grants evasion, prolonging its battlefield presence.
The ability to phase out at instant speed offers strategic in-game benefits.
Specific mana requirements and upkeep costs could limit deck compatibility.

Text of card

: Flying : Loses flying o3o Uoo U Phases out

"Across the plains, farmers who braved the mists began to vanish. Most blamed the goblins; none guessed the truth." —Hakim, Loreweaver

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mist Dragon boasts the ability to perform a self-return to hand, providing a repeated opportunity for evasion and re-deployment. This keeps the dragon safe from harm and ensures you have sustained presence on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct ramp card, Mist Dragon’s flexibility in gameplay allows you to pace your resources wisely. Investing in its summoning when advantageous and holding back mana when necessary can give you a tempo edge.

Instant Speed: One of Mist Dragon’s key features is its ability to phase out at instant speed. This means it can dodge removals, avoid unfavorable blocks, and surprise opponents by disappearing before damage is dealt or in response to spells, which tactically is a huge boon.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Mist Dragon is that it requires you to have specific resources to activate its ability to phase out. If you’re already managing a tight hand, utilizing this feature can further strain your resources, putting you at a potential disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Mist Dragon asks you to pay a specific blue mana cost for its upkeep, which can be restrictive. Decks not heavily invested in blue mana may find it challenging to consistently meet this requirement, potentially making Mist Dragon a less reliable creature in a multicolored strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its initial investment of four mana plus one blue mana for its phasing ability, Mist Dragon’s overall cost can be burdensome when compared to other creatures in MTG that may provide more immediate board impact or versatility for a similar, if not lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include Mist Dragon in Your Collection

Versatility: Mist Dragon stands out with its ability to dodge removal spells by phasing out. This utility makes it fit seamlessly into decks that want to protect key creatures or maintain board presence.

Combo Potential: With the capability to phase in before your untap step, Mist Dragon synergizes well with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or requiring protection from turn-by-turn threats.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by targeted removals or sweepers, Mist Dragon can be a persistent threat that’s difficult for opponents to handle, ensuring you retain aerial superiority.

How to beat

Mist Dragon stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature card with its ability to phase out at will. This feature makes it an elusive target for removal spells and can oftentimes leave opponents stalled, unable to budge the dragon from the battlefield. While complex, overcoming this ethereal dragon isn’t impossible.

One effective method is using spells that don’t target, such as board wipes that bypass Mist Dragon’s phasing ability by not needing to target it directly. Examples include Wrath of God or Damnation which can clear the board regardless of a creature’s phasing status. Another strategy is timing your spells when Mist Dragon is not phased out because it can only phase out at the beginning of your upkeep, creating a window of opportunity for targeted removal. Cards such as Rapid Hybridization or Path to Exile could potentially remove the dragon before it can escape into the phase dimension.

In reflection, Mist Dragon requires careful strategizing and precise timing to conquer. Employing board wipes or predictive targeted spells when the dragon is vulnerable are crucial tactics in claiming victory over this elusive adversary in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Mist Dragon

Mist Dragon stands out in the roster of Magic: The Gathering’s elusive creatures thanks to its unique set of abilities. Similar to the Shimmer Dragon, both dragons offer a substantial flying threat in the air. However, Mist Dragon’s key feature allows it to phase out of the battlefield, granting invulnerability to removal spells at the cost of one blue mana. In contrast, Shimmer Dragon requires tapping two untapped artifacts you control to gain hexproof until end of turn.

Another card that echoes the feel of Mist Dragon is Morphling, the so-called “Superman” of MTG. Morphling shares the adaptable nature, with the ability to modify its power and toughness, gain shroud, or untap itself, providing a different kind of versatility. While both have the capacity to dodge enemy spells, Mist Dragon does so through phasing, whereas Morphling uses shroud and thus remains susceptible to board wipes.

Analyzing these comparisons, Mist Dragon may not be the most powerful dragon in MTG, but its ease of dodging targeted spells and controlling combat engagements with its phasing ability can be highly advantageous in games where timing and evasion are crucial.

Cards similar to Mist Dragon by color, type and mana cost

Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions

Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mist Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Mist Dragon and other MTG cards: