Shieldhide Dragon MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying,Lifelink,Megamorph |
| Released | 2015-03-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragons of Tarkir |
| Set code | DTK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 37 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Chris Rallis |
Text of card
Flying, lifelink Megamorph (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its megamorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it.) When Shieldhide Dragon is turned face up, put a +1/+1 counter on each other Dragon creature you control.
Cards like Shieldhide Dragon
Shieldhide Dragon breathes a unique fire into the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its likeness can be drawn to cards such as Sentinel Spider, which also boasts vigilance and a strong presence with its power and toughness. Yet, Shieldhide Dragon’s lifelink ability offers a comforting buffer, enhancing player survivability unlike the Spider’s straightforward offense and defense balance.
Exploring further, we come across Roc Egg, which resonates with Shieldhide Dragon in terms of producing creature benefits upon death. However, Roc Egg needs a death trigger to summon a bird creature, while Shieldhide Dragon provides immediate battlefield merits through its lifelink, directly impacting the state of the game.
Dragons as a whole offer a wide array of powerful abilities and Shieldhide Dragon does not fall short in terms of raw power and utility. Its abilities help stabilize games, making it adept at safeguarding one’s life total while presenting a respectable threat on the board. Thus, in the hierarchy of MTG creatures, Shieldhide Dragon holds its own, admired for its combined offensive and defensive capabilities.
Cards similar to Shieldhide Dragon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Shieldhide Dragon provides a strong presence on the battlefield while also potentially drawing you cards if you satisfy its bolster condition. Each time you enhance your creatures, it further pushes the likelihood of gaining control over the game with a more substantial board presence.
Resource Acceleration: By offering a creature with formidable size, this dragon indirectly accelerates your resources. It demands answers from your opponents, likely causing them to tap resources they would have used to develop their board or strategies.
Instant Speed: Although the Shieldhide Dragon itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with cards that operate at instant speed. Removal or combat tricks played on your turn can unexpectedly trigger its bolster ability, surprising an opponent who thought your dragon’s impact had been fully assessed for the turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shieldhide Dragon necessitates a specific type of discard action to activate its formidability, meaning you could be forced to part with valuable cards from your hand just to leverage its power on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white and generic mana, this card demands a dedicated mana base, possibly restricting its inclusion to strictly white or two-color decks that can consistently meet its mana prerequisites.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its initial stats and abilities, there are alternatives that could potentially provide a stronger presence earlier in the game or offer more utility for the same or less investment.
Reasons to Include Shieldhide Dragon in Your Collection
Versatility: Shieldhide Dragon is a robust addition to decks that capitalize on lifegain and flying creatures. Its ability to boost your life total while providing substantial air defense makes it a flexible choice for various deck types.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergy with abilities that activate upon gaining life or when dragons enter the battlefield. It can be the cornerstone of many powerful combos, leveraging its lifelink ability to trigger various effects or empower other creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where flying threats are always pertinent, Shieldhide Dragon holds its own. Lifegain strategies often dishearten aggressive decks, and including Shieldhide Dragon may offer a significant edge against such opposition, especially if the current meta favors aggressive tactics.
How to beat Shieldhide Dragon
Shieldhide Dragon is an intriguing creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering known for its bolster ability, which can significantly enhance the strength of your creatures. Overcoming this flying behemoth requires strategic play and card selection. Utilize removal spells that can bypass its indestructible nature during your turn, such as “Path to Exile” or “Terminus” to ensure its bolstering effect doesn’t overwhelm you.
Another effective strategy is to take advantage of its lack of protection from enchantments. Cards like “Pacifism” or “Darksteel Mutation” can neutralize Shieldhide Dragon without triggering its indestructible trait. Additionally, controlling the battlefield with counter spells during your opponent’s turn can prevent the dragon from ever taking flight. Sparking the creativity of deck builders, Shieldhide Dragon challenges players to think critically about removal and control elements, ensuring they have the right answers at the crucial moment.
In essence, while Shieldhide Dragon presents a formidable challenge, its weaknesses are apparent with careful analysis and strategy. Your ability to adapt and counter will be the key to victory against this armored adversary in the strategic dance that is Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shieldhide Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Shieldhide Dragon 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shieldhide Dragon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shieldhide Dragon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | If a face-down creature with megamorph is turned face up some other way (for example, if you manifest a card with megamorph and then pay its mana cost to turn it face up), you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on it. |
| 2015-02-25 | Megamorph is a variant of the morph ability. You can find more information on morph on cards with morph from the Khans of Tarkir set. |
| 2015-02-25 | Turning a face-down creature with megamorph face up and putting a +1/+1 counter on it is a special action. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. |