Markov Dreadknight MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Vampire Knight
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. The Dreadknight excels by converting extra cards into overwhelming power, providing a significant board advantage.
  2. Its mana-specific cost and discard requirement demand careful deck construction and resource management strategies.
  3. This card’s adaptability in various decks makes it valuable for players seeking to enhance their offensive capabilities.

Text of card

Flying , Discard a card: Put two +1/+1 counters on Markov Dreadknight.

The destruction of Markov Manor made the surviving members of the bloodline more dangerous.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Markov Dreadknight thrives when you have a steady stream of creature cards to discard, which in turn powers up its might. This offers a dual advantage; you can trim down your hand to the essentials while simultaneously strengthening your Dreadknight to overwhelming proportions.

Resource Acceleration: Sporting the powerful ability to grow by leaps and bounds, the Dreadknight can become an intimidating force faster than many of its counterparts. Each discarded card translates into greater offensive potential, effectively turning what may seem like a resource deficit into an acceleration of board dominance.

Instant Speed: While the Dreadknight itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability can be utilized at the end of your opponent’s turn. This means you can hold onto your resources, assess the situation as it unfolds, and then beef up the Dreadknight when most advantageous—catching opponents off guard and ensuring a prime position as you shift into your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Markov Dreadknight requires you to discard a card to activate its ability. This can be a steep price to pay, especially if the game has stretched on and your hand is running low. It can force tough decisions about resource management and can be a liability if you’re unable to maintain a sufficient hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Markov Dreadknight demands a precise mana setup, including two black mana. This specificity may restrict its integration exclusively to decks that can consistently provide the necessary colors, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of five mana, including three of any color plus the two black mana, Markov Dreadknight’s summoning costs are on the higher end. When considering the mana investment, players may find that other creatures or spells could offer similar or better benefits for less, making it essential to evaluate the card’s role in your overall strategy.


Reasons to Include Markov Dreadknight in Your Collection

Versatility: Markov Dreadknight offers flexibility by seamlessly integrating into various vampiric and aggressive strategies. Its ability to grow in power makes it a constant threat that adapts to the evolving board state.

Combo Potential: With its ability to scale its strength based on the number of cards discarded, Markov Dreadknight pairs well with mechanics that benefit from graveyard interaction or reanimation, thus opening doors for inventive combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given its scalability and threat level, Markov Dreadknight remains relevant in a meta that favors creatures who can quickly become formidable forces, capable of swinging the game in your favor.


How to beat

The Markov Dreadknight represents a formidable challenge on the battlefield with its ability to fly and gain strength from stocking the graveyard. Similar to other creatures that thrive on graveyard synergy, one effective strategy is to limit this resource. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenger Grounds can cripple the Dreadknight’s potential by keeping graveyards clear, thus halting its power-boosting ability.

Cards with exile effects also offer a direct counter. If you can exile the Dreadknight itself with spells like Path to Exile or effects that remove it before it gets too powerful, you neutralize the threat it poses. Additionally, board control spells and abilities that reduce creature strength or negate abilities can level the playing field. Enchantment-based removal, like Oblivion Ring or Cast Out, can sequester Markov Dreadknight away from the action, giving you time to fortify your position or swing the momentum in your favor.

In essence, to overcome the challenge posed by Markov Dreadknight, a player needs to preemptively interfere with graveyard mechanics or employ timely removal techniques that will keep the flying threat in check, ultimately ensuring dominance during gameplay.


Cards like Markov Dreadknight

Diving into the realm of powerful creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Markov Dreadknight stands out for its capacity to grow swiftly. When compared to other cards in its niche, such as Vampire Nighthawk, the Dreadknight offers distinct advantages. While Vampire Nighthawk comes with built-in lifelink and deathtouch, it lacks the exponential growth potential of the Dreadknight, which can become massive with the mere act of discarding a card.

Another similar card is Bloodthirsty Aerialist, which also gains counters and can escalate in power and toughness. However, its reliance on gaining life to accumulate +1/+1 counters positions it differently, requiring an additional setup. Markov Dreadknight, on the other hand, allows for more control as it does not depend on life gain triggers, rather on graveyard fuel to unlock its full potential.

Ultimately, among creatures that get stronger over time, Markov Dreadknight’s straightforward mechanic to increase its might gives it an edge. It can rapidly become a juggernaut on the battlefield, potentially overshadowing creatures of a similar cost and strategy in Magic: The Gathering, thus making it an attractive choice for players who value flexibility and pressure.

Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Aerialist - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - Wizards Play Network 2009 (PWP09)
Bloodthirsty Aerialist - Core Set 2020 (M20)

Cards similar to Markov Dreadknight by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Coffin Puppets - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - Tempest (TMP)
Entropic Specter - Exodus (EXO)
Predatory Nightstalker - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Fallen Angel - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Stone Catapult - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sengir Vampire - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
Coffin Puppets - Prophecy (PCY)
Hollow Dogs - Beatdown Box Set (BTD)
Grotesque Hybrid - Torment (TOR)
Earwig Squad - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Indulgent Tormentor - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Sootfeather Flock - Legions (LGN)
Zombie Cutthroat - Scourge (SCG)
Gluttonous Zombie - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Vermiculos - Mirrodin (MRD)
Woebearer - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Wei Elite Companions - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Halo Hunter - Zendikar (ZEN)
Malakir Bloodwitch - Zendikar (ZEN)
Caustic Crawler - Worldwake (WWK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Markov Dreadknight MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Shadows over Innistrad Promos, 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 Markov Dreadknight and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Markov Dreadknight Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2016-04-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 604562015normalblackCynthia Sheppard
22016-04-08Shadows over Innistrad PromosPSOI 1222015normalblackCynthia Sheppard
32016-04-08Shadows over Innistrad PromosPSOI 122s2015normalblackDarek Zabrocki
42016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 1222015normalblackDarek Zabrocki

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Markov Dreadknight has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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