Screeching Drake MTG Card
1998-06-24 - Number 44
2008-09-22 - Number 63
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Drake |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying When Screeching Drake comes into play from your hand, draw a card, then choose and discard a card from your hand.
Cards like Screeching Drake
The Screeching Drake offers a unique dynamic in Blue’s creature lineup within the Magic: The Gathering universe. It mirrors the design of cards like Wind Drake, sharing the same power, toughness, and flying ability. Yet, Screeching Drake adds a twist with its card draw upon entering the battlefield, edged by the disadvantage of having to return a Blue creature you control to your hand. This can be a setback or strategically beneficial if you aim to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects.
Comparing it further, Mist Raven also plays with creature return but in a more opponent-focused manner, targeting their creatures instead for a disruptive effect. It costs one additional Blue mana compared to Screeching Drake, which could affect its placement in a deck’s mana curve. Aerie Worshippers, albeit at a higher mana cost, creates additional flying tokens, presenting a different value for board presence.
Analyzing the flexibility and synergistic potential of Screeching Drake, especially in decks that capitalize on return-to-hand or enter-the-battlefield effects, it undeniably has a place in MTG players’ arsenals who appreciate intricate play strategies and tactical creature maneuvering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Screeching Drake offers a unique benefit to your hand by letting you draw a card upon its entry to the battlefield. It’s a way to keep your options replenished and stay ahead of your opponent in the accumulation of resources.
Resource Acceleration: While Screeching Drake doesn’t directly generate additional mana or treasure tokens, its four-power stat line for a modest mana cost can accelerate your board presence, applying pressure and demanding answers from your opponent quicker than some other creatures might.
Instant Speed: This drake’s flying ability may not function at instant speed, but it allows you to strategically time your plays. You can deploy the drake when it’s most advantageous, perhaps after clearing the skies with a well-timed instant, maximizing the impact of its entrance and the subsequent card draw.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing the Screeching Drake, a player must navigate the tricky waters of card economy. The requirement to discard can become a hindrance, especially if your hand is already stretched thin by the game’s demands. Selecting the right card to discard requires strategic depth that might not always work in one’s favor.
Specific Mana Cost: Screeching Drake’s casting cost demands a specific arrangement of mana, which includes both blue and generic equivalents. This can be somewhat restrictive since it requires a deck to be influenced heavily by blue mana sources, potentially reducing the card’s versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost perched at the higher end of the spectrum, Screeching Drake competes for deck space with creatures and spells that may offer more immediate impact or lower casting conditions. In a game where tempo can dictate victory, this feeding cost becomes a sizable investment, one that can dictate the course of your game if not managed properly.
Reasons to Include Screeching Drake in Your Collection
Versatility: Screeching Drake’s ability to potentially draw you a card upon entering the battlefield makes it a versatile fit for decks that capitalize on card advantage. Not to mention, being a flyer, it can easily become a staple in decks that seek to dominate the skies.
Combo Potential: This creature’s ability to draw a card upon death allows it to synergize well with various sacrifice strategies, unlocking potential for combo plays that can lead to unexpected and match-turning outcomes.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where players continually seek to enhance their board presence while maintaining card advantage, Screeching Drake fits snugly into the current meta-game. Its relatively low cost to power ratio also allows it to compete effectively with other top-tier cards in its class.
How to beat
Screeching Drake is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can pose a challenge to overcome in a game. The card comes with the ability to draw a card when it enters the battlefield, granting its owner an immediate benefit in card advantage. To effectively counter Screeching Drake, players should consider using spot removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile to deal with the creature before the card draw ability can offset the mana investment.
Additionally, playing cards with the “flash” ability allows you to hold mana open and respond to the Drake being cast, maintaining the tempo of the game in your favor. Counterspells also work effectively to prevent the Drake from entering the battlefield in the first place, ensuring that your opponent’s plans for card advantage and any subsequent plays are disrupted. Timing and strategy are key when anticipating the appearance of Screeching Drake, thus a good mastery of instant-speed interaction in MTG leads to increased control over the game and reduces the impact of flying threats like this one.
Understanding the dynamics of the game and recognising the right moment to play your removals or counterspells plays a pivotal role in countering strategic threats. Acknowledging Screeching Drake’s abilities and responding promptly can prevent your opponent from gaining the upper hand, and retain the balance of the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Screeching Drake MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Screeching Drake and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Screeching Drake Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Anson Maddocks.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 44 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 63 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Screeching Drake has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |