Dross Hopper MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Insect Horror
Released	2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Scars of Mirrodin
Set code	SOM
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	60
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Allsop

Key Takeaways

Advantages from Dross Hopper’s sacrifice ability can lead to significant card and resource gains in MTG.
While its utility is clear, the card’s demand for black mana and an additional sacrifice can limit its versatility.
Dross Hopper aligns with competitive MTG strategies, especially in decks that exploit creature sacrifice for benefits.

Text of card

Sacrifice a creature: Dross Hopper gains flying until end of turn.

Bred in the vicious Mephidross, dross hoppers learned to eat quickly and escape faster.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Dross Hopper itself may not directly offer card drawing mechanics, its sacrifice ability paves the way for strategies that trigger whenever a creature dies, thus potentially leading to card advantage in decks designed around such interactions.

Resource Acceleration: The simple act of sacrificing Dross Hopper can be a form of resource acceleration. It essentially converts one card into a different resource, which could be a crucial +1/+1 counter or fodder for other spells and abilities that require sacrificing a creature.

Instant Speed: Dross Hopper’s sacrifice ability can be activated at instant speed. This feature gives players the flexibility to respond to the opponent’s actions during their turn, making it a versatile tool for both offense and defense.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Dross Hopper requires you to sacrifice another creature, which could set you back if your board presence is already weak or sparse.

Specific Mana Cost: Dross Hopper demands a black mana to cast, making it less flexible for multi-color decks not focused on black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its ability and stats, Dross Hopper comes at a higher mana cost than some other one-drops, potentially slowing down your early game momentum.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dross Hopper offers adaptability as a cost-effective creature card. With its ability to sacrifice itself for an advantage, this card easily slips into sacrifice-focused or black aggro decks seeking a balance of board presence and resource management.

Combo Potential: This card works well in tandem with numerous strategies that capitalize on creature sacrifice. Whether enabling morbid triggers, contributing to delve costs, or fuelling graveyard synergies, Dross Hopper proves to be a valuable asset in intricate combo setups.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that prioritizes swift board development and strategic sacrifices, Dross Hopper holds intrinsic value. Its presence in your collection ensures preparedness against an array of competitive decks, emphasizing its utility in continually evolving gameplay dynamics.

How to beat

Dross Hopper presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield, melding deceptively simple abilities with strategic depth in the game of Magic: The Gathering. This creature card offers a sacrifice mechanic to grant itself a temporary boost in power, making it a flexible threat during the skirmish phases of the game.

To navigate around this pesky jumper, consider employing removal spells or abilities that can handle creatures regardless of their power level. Instant-speed removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently dispatch it before its effect is activated, preventing any potential buff. Tools for creature management such as board wipes are also particularly effective; a well-placed Wrath of God or Damnation not only deals with Dross Hopper but clears the way of other threats that might be lurking on your opponent’s side of the board. Remember, keeping creature control spells in your hand until the right moment is crucial; Dross Hopper’s greatest strength lies in its agility, and preemptive actions can nullify it.

Ultimately, suppressing Dross Hopper calls for a mix of timing and the strategic use of your spells. By keeping its abilities in check and managing your resources wisely, you gain the upper hand against opponents who rely on this elusive creature.

Cards like Dross Hopper

Dross Hopper, a creature card in Magic: The Gathering, finds company in a suite of low-mana creatures that bring utility beyond their combat stats. It stands in relation to cards like Bloodthrone Vampire, as both cards can sacrifice another creature for a benefit. While Dross Hopper gains flying as a result, Bloodthrone Vampire receives a power and toughness boost until end of turn. Both cards offer strategic sacrifice options at one mana, however, the vampire doesn’t need an additional mana to trigger the effect.

Viscera Seer is another notable comparison for Dross Hopper. It allows you to sacrifice a creature for free, providing the valuable service of scrying 1, refining your deck’s flow and setting up subsequent draws. Whereas Dross Hopper’s temporary evasion ability is more aggressive, Viscera Seer aids in crafting a more controlled long-term strategy. Additionally, Carrion Feeder stands out as an alternative, perpetually growing stronger with each creature sacrificed, again at zero cost.

Each of these alternatives delivers different advantages on the battlefield. Whether looking for a short-term gain with flying, a stat increase, scrying, or consistent growth, creatures like Dross Hopper serve as a testament to the varied intricacies creatures can provide players in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Dross Hopper by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dross Hopper 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 Dross Hopper and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dross Hopper 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 Dross Hopper 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	You may sacrifice Dross Hopper to pay for its own ability. If you do, however, it won’t gain flying because it won’t be on the battlefield by the time the ability resolves.