Pearl Dragon MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Pearl Dragon offers card advantage by drawing on damage, boosting your strategic options.
  2. It can ramp up mana efficiency, presenting a significant aerial threat to opponents.
  3. Instant speed-like abilities of Pearl Dragon allow flexibility in defense and offense.

Text of card

Flying o1oo W +0/+1 until end of turn

"They knew Bantau was lost when, to hide the pearl he had found on the beach, he swallowed it—and soon grew wings." —Hakim, Loreweaver


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pearl Dragon shines in the card advantage department. By providing the ability to draw a card whenever it deals damage to an opponent, it helps keep your hand replenished, potentially leading to game-changing situations.

Resource Acceleration: This formidable flyer aids in ramping up your resources. As a high-cost creature, when successfully cast, it leverages your mana investment by presenting a substantial threat in the air that your opponent must answer, often at a loss to their own resources.

Instant Speed: One of Pearl Dragon’s unique features is its instant speed-like ability that allows it to be a formidable defender as well. The ability to pay mana and give it +0/+1 until end of turn can be activated at any time, making it a flexible option for both attack and defense strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect that players must consider with the Pearl Dragon is the potential requirement to discard cards to fuel abilities, making it a risky option for those already managing limited hand sizes.

Specific Mana Cost: Pearl Dragon commands a color-specific mana cost, necessitating a substantial white mana base. This might inhibit its inclusion in multi-colored or color-flexible strategies, cornering it within more monochromatic builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The appeal of Pearl Dragon can be overshadowed by its high casting cost, demanding six mana to enter play. When evaluating mana efficiency, players may find other creatures or spells that provide similar or greater impact at a lower investment, thereby potentially relegating Pearl Dragon to less competitive decks.


Reasons to Include Pearl Dragon in Your Collection

Versatility: Pearl Dragon is a flexible card that has a place in a variety of white decks. Its flying ability makes it a consistent choice for strategies focusing on evasion, and its Pearl Breath can be a useful trick during combat or in response to effects targeting it.

Combo Potential: The Pearl Dragon’s ability to give itself first strike by paying white mana creates opportunities for combos with equipment and auras that are designed to benefit from creatures with this ability.

Meta-Relevance: As the gameplay environment leans towards creature-focused decks, the inclusion of Pearl Dragon becomes advantageous. Its ability to control the skies and offer a combat edge may influence the board’s dynamics, especially in matches where flying creatures are pivotal.


How to beat

Pearl Dragon is a powerful presence in any MTG battle, soaring over the playing field with its ability to gain flying until end of turn. This ability to evade ground-based blockers can make it a tough adversary to handle. But like any card in Magic, there are strategies to clip its wings.

One effective tactic is to utilize instant-speed removal cards that can target Pearl Dragon the moment it declares an attack or uses its activated ability. This ensures that you remove the threat before it deals any damage. It’s also prudent to have counter spells ready for when your opponent casts it, preventing Pearl Dragon from entering the battlefield altogether.

Moreover, capitalizing on cards that restrict activated abilities can stifle Pearl Dragon’s advantage. Even if it lands on the board, being unable to utilize its flying capability levels the playing field. Finally, keep a close eye on mana. Pearl Dragon’s ability costs additional resource to activate, and timing your plays when the opponent’s mana is tapped out can be advantageous.

Knowing these strategies can make facing a Pearl Dragon less daunting, giving you the upper hand in the duel. With the correct timing and resources, you can dominate the skies and ultimately, the game.


Cards like Pearl Dragon

Pearl Dragon stands out in the world of flying creatures in MTG. Like its airborne contemporaries, this formidable creature is known for its power in aerial combat. Yet it differentiates itself with a unique ability that allows it to pump its power, granting temporary strength spikes during battle. Unlike its kin, such as the Serra Angel, Pearl Dragon doesn’t have vigilance but compensates with a heftier power potential through its mana-intensive ability.

A closer look at the Shivan Dragon reveals another creature with self-buffing prowess. Although the Shivan Dragon requires a red mana investment to increase its power, it shares the tactic of mid-combat power boosts, a trait highly prized during creature combat phases. Conversely, the Thunder Dragon lacks the Pearl Dragon’s power-flexing characteristic but compensates by delivering immediate impact through its ability to deal damage upon entering the battlefield.

Evaluating Pearl Dragon’s position within its category, its blend of aerial intimidation and the tactical advantage of scaling power creates unique opportunities for players to outmaneuver their opponents, providing a solid choice for those looking to dominate the skies of MTG.

Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thunder Dragon - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Shivan Dragon - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Thunder Dragon - Starter 1999 (S99)

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

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Cho-Arrim Bruiser - MTG Card versions
Radiant Solar - MTG Card versions
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Silverstorm Samurai - MTG Card versions
Oathsworn Giant - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
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Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions
Lairwatch Giant - MTG Card versions
Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions
Sun Titan - MTG Card versions
Auriok Survivors - MTG Card versions
Aegis Angel - MTG Card versions
Auratouched Mage - MTG Card versions
Angelic Skirmisher - MTG Card versions
Personal Incarnation - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Alabaster Dragon - Weatherlight (WTH)
Cho-Arrim Bruiser - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Radiant Solar - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Guardian Archon - Commander 2021 (C21)
Archon of Coronation - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shieldmage Elder - Onslaught (ONS)
Noble Templar - Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora (DDO)
Silverstorm Samurai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Oathsworn Giant - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Duskrider Peregrine - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Crovax, Ascendant Hero - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Lairwatch Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Spirit of the Hearth - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Sun Titan - Magic 2011 (M11)
Auriok Survivors - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Aegis Angel - Magic Origins (ORI)
Auratouched Mage - Planechase 2012 (PC2)
Angelic Skirmisher - Gatecrash (GTC)

Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Pearl Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by Ian Miller.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-10-08MirageMIR 331997normalblackIan Miller
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 341997normalwhiteIan Miller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pearl Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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