Scourge of the Throne MTG Card
2014-06-06 - Number 35
2014-06-16 - Number 184
2020-03-08 - Number 58
2023-06-23 - Number 225
2023-08-04 - Number 253
2023-08-04 - Number 549
2024-02-09 - Number 160
2019-12-02 - Number 1033
2020-09-26 - Number CNS-35
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Dethrone,Flying |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying Dethrone (Whenever this creature attacks the player with the most life or tied for most life, put a +1/+1 counter on it.) Whenever Scourge of the Throne attacks for the first time each turn, if it's attacking the player with the most life or tied for most life, untap all attacking creatures. After this phase, there is an additional combat phase.
Cards like Scourge of the Throne
Scourge of the Throne is a unique power player in the realm of red dragon cards. It draws some parallels with other iconic creatures like Utvara Hellkite, both designed to influence combat in significant ways. Similar to Scourge of the Throne’s dethrone ability, which can unleash additional combat phases if throne conditions are met, Utvara Hellkite also generates a dominant battlefield presence by creating 6/6 Dragon creature tokens with each attacking dragon.
Hellkite Tyrant offers a contrast, foregoing multiple combat phases for an alternative win condition, amassing treasure and artifact control. While Scourge of the Throne thrives on the momentum of repeated attacks, Hellkite Tyrant can abruptly end games by accumulating twenty or more artifacts. This key difference shifts the strategy from aggressive combat to resource control.
Comparatively, Worldgorger Dragon presents a combo-centric approach entirely distinct from Scourge of the Throne. Its infamous interaction with Animate Dead can generate infinite mana but lacks the direct combat enhancement provided by Scourge of the Throne. Each dragon embodies a distinct role, but Scourge of the Throne stands out for its potential to change the tide of battle in a single turn.
Cards similar to Scourge of the Throne by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Earning a distinct position in a player’s arsenal, Scourge of the Throne can intensify your board presence dramatically by untapping all attacking creatures after declaring the initial assault. This grants another combat phase, potentially doubling the number of cards your creatures represent on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Tapping into the monarch mechanic, if Scourge of the Throne declares an attack on the player with the crown and you’re behind in life points, it forges a considerable momentum swing. Not only does it spur an additional combat phase but claiming the monarch status can enhance your resource pool, aiding in casting pivotal spells sooner than your rivals.
Instant Speed: While Scourge of the Throne itself does not operate at instant speed, the dual combat phases it triggers can be exploited to synergize with other instant speed spells. This could allow for surprise shifts within the course of a turn, suddenly transforming a defensive stance into an overwhelming offensive one.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Scourge of the Throne doesn’t directly impose a discard requirement on the player, thus discarding as a downside doesn’t apply to this card directly.
Specific Mana Cost: Scourge of the Throne comes with a distinctly colored mana cost requiring the commitment of red mana, which may make it tricky to incorporate into multi-color decks without a dedicated mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing six mana—with a specific requirement for at least one red mana—can be demanding, particularly in fast-paced games where lower-cost creatures could be more impactful in the early stages.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Scourge of the Throne offers a unique dynamic in games, being able to slot into a variety of aggressive and midrange decks. Its ability to give you an additional combat phase can turn the tide of battle in your favor, making it a versatile choice for decks looking to capitalize on powerful attack phases.
Combo Potential: With its dethrone mechanic, this card has the potential to create explosive turns in combination with cards that multiply combat phases or benefit from increased numbers of attacking creatures, thus enabling intricate and powerful synergies within your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games can often come down to a pivotal turn, Scourge of the Throne can provide the much-needed edge. The ability to orchestrate a surprise comeback or secure a win from a seemingly even board state aligns well with the pace of current competitive play.
How to beat
Scourge of the Throne is a formidable card that can dramatically shift the momentum of a Magic: The Gathering game. Its dethrone ability, which bolsters the power of your creatures when attacking the player with the most life, creates an aggressive tempo that opponents must quickly address. To effectively counter this card, it’s crucial to manage the battlefield. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Doomskar allow you to reset the field, rendering the Throne’s advantages null.
Control strategies are also effective. Utilizing removal spells such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can neutralize the Scourge before its ability becomes a significant problem. In multi-player formats, diplomacy can be just as powerful. Encouraging your opponents to focus their attacks elsewhere can buy you enough time to strengthen your defenses or establish a more dominant board presence, nullifying the Scourge’s influence.
Lastly, playing cards that limit combat advantages or those that prevent creatures from attacking altogether, such as Ghostly Prison or Crawlspace, can suppress the Scourge’s impact. Strategic planning and swift action are paramount when facing down such a powerful adversary on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scourge of the Throne MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy and Vintage Masters, 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 Scourge of the Throne and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Scourge of the Throne Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2014-06-06 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 35 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 184 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck | |
| 3 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1033 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Billy Christian | ||
| 4 | 2020-03-08 | Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils | FMB1 | 58 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | CNS-35 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck | ||
| 6 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 225 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Ostrowski | |
| 7 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 253 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck | |
| 8 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 549 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck | |
| 9 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 160 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scourge of the Throne has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Scourge of the Throne card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-05-29 | Dethrone doesn't trigger if the creature attacks a planeswalker, even if its controller has the most life. |
| 2014-05-29 | In a Two-Headed Giant game, dethrone will trigger if the creature attacks either player on the team with the most life or tied for the most life. |
| 2014-05-29 | Once dethrone triggers, it doesn't matter what happens to the players' life totals before the ability resolves. You'll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature even if the defending player doesn't have the most life as the ability resolves. |
| 2014-05-29 | Scourge of the Throne's ability has an intervening "if" clause. It must be attacking the player with the most life or tied with the most life both when it's declared as an attacker and as it starts to resolve for it to have any effect. If, at either time, the player isn't the one with the most life or tied for the most life, the ability will have no effect. Notably, this is different than how dethrone works. (Dethrone checks only once to see if the ability triggers.) |
| 2014-05-29 | The +1/+1 counter is put on the creature before blockers are declared. |