Shivan Dragon MTG Card

Shivan Dragon ensures card advantage through its ability to control game flow and force resource-intensive opponent responses. It thrives with resource acceleration, becoming an overwhelming threat when cast early in the game. The dragon demands instant-speed answers, pressurizing opponents with its potential for pumped-up power.
Card setsReleased in 44 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying, oo R +1/+0 until end of turn.

While it's true most Dragons are cruel, the Shivan Dragon seems to take particular glee in the misery of others, often tormenting its victims much like a cat plays with a mouse before delivering the final blow.

Cards like Shivan Dragon

The Shivan Dragon has been a staple of raw power and iconic presence in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable creature finds its peers among other high-cost, impactful dragons with the potential to dominate the skies. Cards like the Dragonlord Atarka share the essence of a massive flying threat. Although Dragonlord Atarka provides an immediate board impact by dealing damage upon entering the battlefield, unlike the Shivan Dragon which requires an additional mana investment to boost its power.

Another dragon that echoes parts of Shivan Dragon’s capabilities is the Thundermaw Hellkite. The Hellkite boasts a swifter impact by tapping potential blockers with its entrance, allowing for an unobstructed attack. Conversely, the Shivan Dragon grants players fine control over its offensive power through firebreathing – the ability to incrementally increase its power. This trait is unique as it can be used multiple times, making it unpredictable and potentially more devastating in prolonged games.

Assessing the lineage of dragon cards, the Shivan Dragon certainly holds its ground. Its legacy in Magic: The Gathering remains strong due to its straightforward power dynamics and fiery, flexible might that has blazed a trail for countless dragon creatures in the game’s vast card pool.

Dragonlord Atarka - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord Atarka - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shivan Dragon by color, type and mana cost

Firestorm Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Crater Hellion - MTG Card versions
Callous Giant - MTG Card versions
Halam Djinn - MTG Card versions
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Oni of Wild Places - MTG Card versions
Thundermare - MTG Card versions
Pardic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Fiend - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - MTG Card versions
Sunrise Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions
Frost Giant - MTG Card versions
Firestorm Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Crater Hellion - MTG Card versions
Callous Giant - MTG Card versions
Halam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Bloodshot Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Worldgorger Dragon - MTG Card versions
Two-Headed Dragon - MTG Card versions
Iron-Barb Hellion - MTG Card versions
Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Akki - MTG Card versions
Ronin Cavekeeper - MTG Card versions
Oni of Wild Places - MTG Card versions
Thundermare - MTG Card versions
Pardic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Fiend - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - MTG Card versions
Sunrise Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions
Frost Giant - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With its formidable presence, Shivan Dragon doesn’t just offer board dominance but can force opponents into unfavorable trades or use multiple resources to handle it, effectively giving you card advantage. A player with a Shivan Dragon commands respect and can dictate the flow of the game, maintaining an upper hand in card efficacy if not in outright numbers.

Resource Acceleration: While Shivan Dragon doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, it greatly benefits from it. Any ramping mechanism that helps cast Shivan Dragon ahead of curve amplifies its impact on the game. Accelerating to a turn four or five Shivan Dragon can significantly change the dynamics on the battlefield, making it an excellent finisher in decks focused on rapid mana generation.

Instant Speed: Although Shivan Dragon itself is not an instant, it demands instant-speed responses from opponents once on the battlefield. Its ability to pump its power at any time using red mana translates to a constant threat, pressuring opponents to deal with it immediately or risk substantial damage, possibly even lethal swings.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Shivan Dragon doesn’t have a discard requirement, managing resources effectively is key, and valuable cards may need to be reserved for other strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: The iconic Shivan Dragon demands a significant red mana investment, which can be restrictive. Its cost is particularly steep in multicolored decks where red mana might not be as plentiful.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of six, Shivan Dragon can be slow to hit the battlefield. In formats where the pace is crucial, there might be hesitation to include it over lower-cost creatures that offer immediate board presence or other benefits.

Reasons to Include Shivan Dragon in Your Collection

Versatility: Shivan Dragon’s ability to fit into a variety of red-based decks makes it a timeless choice for players. Its simple mana cost and straightforward power/toughness growth allow it to adapt to multiple game situations, from casual play to more competitive environments.

Combo Potential: With its firebreathing ability, this dragon can become a major threat by scaling its power in sync with available mana. This allows for powerful combos with cards that provide extra mana or that double damage, turning it into a game-ending threat.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-based strategies cycle into the meta, Shivan Dragon remains a potent choice due to its capacity to become a dominant airborne force, often requiring an immediate answer from opponents and shaping the battlefield with its mere presence.

How to beat

Shivan Dragon is a powerhouse in the world of Magic: The Gathering, especially well known among older players for its fearsome flying ability and formidable fire-breathing. Dealing with this iconic red card requires strategic planning. Removal spells are your primary tool for mitigating the impact of Shivan Dragon. Enchantments that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking can also be valuable assets in keeping the dragon at bay. It’s important to remove or neutralize the dragon swiftly before your opponent has the chance to capitalize on its strength.

Counterspells are a clean solution, preventing the dragon from ever entering the battlefield. Once on the board, instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Murder can handle the threat regardless of how much mana has been invested into its fire-breathing ability. Ensuring you have enough mana for these spells can be critical. In a pinch, chump blocking with tokens or insignificant creatures can buy you the time needed to draw into your answers or develop your own game-winning strategy.

Understanding the landscape of play and prioritizing threats is crucial for making the most of your library against such classic and powerful cards. Having a plan for Shivan Dragon signifies a prepared deck and a strategist ready for intense MTG gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shivan Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Shivan Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shivan Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 36 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1741993NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 1751993NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 1751993NormalWhiteMelissa A. Benson
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 1751993NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 1751993NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 1771993NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 1771993NormalWhiteMelissa A. Benson
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 1771993NormalWhiteMelissa A. Benson
91995-01-02Media InsertsPMEI 151997NormalWhiteDonato Giancola
101995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2201993NormalWhiteMelissa A. Benson
111995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2201993NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
121997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 267†1997NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
131997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 2671997NormalWhiteMelissa A. Benson
142000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 441997NormalWhiteMelissa A. Benson
152001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 218★1997NormalBlackDonato Giancola
162001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2181997NormalWhiteDonato Giancola
172002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 625352015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
182002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 362322003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
192003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 221★2003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
202003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2212003NormalWhiteDonato Giancola
212005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2192003NormalWhiteDonato Giancola
222005-07-29Ninth Edition PromosP9ED 2192003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
232005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 219★2003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
242007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2302003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
252007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 230★2003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
262008-08-29From the Vault: DragonsDRB 132003NormalBlackJustin Sweet
272009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1562003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
282010-06-04Duels of the PlaneswalkersDPA 532003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
292011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1361997NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
302013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1542003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
312014-07-18Magic 2015M15 2812015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
322015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 2852015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
332016-04-08Welcome Deck 2016W16 132015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
342017-04-15Welcome Deck 2017W17 222015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
352018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 3002015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
362019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 3352015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
372019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 7162015NormalBorderlessMartin Ontiveros
382021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 7882015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
392022-10-14Game Night: Free-for-AllGN3 872015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
402022-11-02Secret Lair 30th Anniversary Countdown KitSLC 19932015NormalBorderlessJustine Jones
412022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1702015NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
422022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4671997NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
432023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3291997NormalBlackDonato Giancola
442023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 1352015NormalBlackDonato Giancola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shivan Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal