Darkslick Drake MTG Card


Darkslick Drake - Scars of Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Drake
Abilities Flying
Released2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameScars of Mirrodin
Set codeSOM
Power 2
Toughness 4
Number30
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byChippy

Key Takeaways

  1. Darkslick Drake’s death-triggered card draw maintains player momentum, even during adversity.
  2. Its specific mana cost means it fits best within certain blue-black deck archetypes.
  3. Despite its cost, the Drake’s versatility and combo potential make it a valuable asset.

Text of card

Flying When Darkslick Drake is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, draw a card.

At the edge of the Mephidross, Phyrexia's influence seeps into life and land.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Darkslick Drake’s ability to draw a card upon death ensures that your deck keeps its momentum, sustaining a flow of resources even in the face of adversity.

Resource Acceleration: This creature can be a handy asset in strategies looking to ramp up their mana, as sacrificing it can pave the way for mana-generating spells and effects you may have at the ready.

Instant Speed: The Drake’s flash capability gives you the upper hand by allowing you to play it at any time, catching opponents off-guard and maximizing strategic plays on their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Darkslick Drake obliges players to discard a card to activate its ability, which can deplete hand resources—a significant setback when playing a tight strategic game.

Specific Mana Cost: With a cost that requires both blue and black mana, Darkslick Drake targets a specific deck archetype, potentially limiting its adaptability across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be deemed steep for its stat line and abilities, Darkslick Drake faces strong competition from other creatures offering more board impact or utility for a similar, if not lower, investment.


Reasons to Include Darkslick Drake in Your Collection

Versatility: Darkslick Drake offers a flexible role in blue-based decks. Its flying ability makes it a reliable blocker against other creatures with flying and a consistent source of damage. Beyond that, its death-triggered ability to draw a card ensures that it contributes to your hand even after leaving the battlefield.

Combo Potential: In decks that focus on cycling or utilize graveyard strategies, Darkslick Drake can serve as an integral part of combos. It fits well with strategies that take advantage of creatures dying or being sacrificed, potentially leading to powerful draw mechanics or being recurred for additional value.

Meta-Relevance: Currently, with the prominence of creature-based aggro decks, Darkslick Drake can be a strategic inclusion. It can hold the line in the air while providing card advantage that keeps you equipped to respond to the evolving threats on the board.


How to beat

Darkslick Drake presents itself as a formidable flying creature in MTG with an enticing ability that allows its controller to draw a card upon its death. This blue creature can be a thorn in the side of many players, sustaining card advantage even when meeting its demise. To navigate this obstacle, players need to strategize around its annoying death-triggered ability.

To successfully overcome the challenge of Darkslick Drake, consider employing removal spells that exile it, such as Path to Exile or Silkwrap – these tools deny the opponent the benefit of drawing a card. Additionally, employing instant speed spells during your opponent’s turn restricts their ability to immediately use the extra card drawn. Tactics such as pressuring the player’s life total swiftly or rendering the card draw effect inconsequential with strategies that outpace or outvalue it can also prove effective. It can be less about handling the Drake directly and more about tailoring your strategy to mitigate the impact of its card draw capability or using graveyard hate cards to remove this creature card from play entirely.

Ultimately, countering Darkslick Drake comes down to smart play choices and maintaining a robust presence on the board. By hindering your opponent’s ability to capitalize on the Drake’s effect, you can deftly navigate around the potential card advantage it could provide them.


Cards like Darkslick Drake

Darkslick Drake offers players of Magic: The Gathering a unique blend of aerial defense and card draw potential. It finds parallels with other creatures like Jeskai Sage, which also allows for card draw upon death. Unlike Jeskai Sage, the Drake requires more mana investment but provides a sturdier flyer in return. Moreover, Darkslick Drake’s ability triggers upon death, not needing the prowess mechanic to be effective.

Another similar creature is Pilgrim’s Eye, a card that ensures land consistency by fetching a basic land upon entering the battlefield. While it doesn’t draw a card like Darkslick Drake, it supports mana fixing, a crucial aspect in the game. Then there’s Azure Mage, which presents an ongoing threat with its repeatable card draw ability. Playing it requires a strategic approach since investing mana in drawing cards means less mana for other spells. However, this aligns with longer games where Darkslick Drake might have less impact.

Assessing the value that Darkslick Drake and its counterparts offer, it’s clear that the Drake fits well in decks seeking to capitalize on creature synergy and incremental card advantage, making it a versatile choice for players looking to balance defense with a touch of utility.

Jeskai Sage - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim's Eye - MTG Card versions
Azure Mage - MTG Card versions
Jeskai Sage - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Pilgrim's Eye - Worldwake (WWK)
Azure Mage - Magic 2012 (M12)

Cards similar to Darkslick Drake by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Outrider of Jhess - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Phantom Monster - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Wall of Vapor - Chronicles (CHR)
Tradewind Rider - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Archivist - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Thieving Magpie - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Inga Rune-Eyes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Laboratory Drudge - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Johnny, Combo Player - Unhinged (UNH)
Dream Prowler - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Clone - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Cytoplast Manipulator - Dissension (DIS)
Crookclaw Transmuter - Time Spiral (TSP)
Dreamborn Muse - Tenth Edition (10E)
Turtleshell Changeling - Lorwyn (LRW)
Glen Elendra Archmage - Eventide (EVE)
Fatestitcher - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Outrider of Jhess - Shards of Alara (ALA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Darkslick 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 Darkslick Drake and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Darkslick Drake has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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