Smaug MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 7
2023-06-23 - Number 20
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Legendary Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying,Haste,Treasure |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
Flying, haste When this creature dies, create fourteen Treasure tokens.
Cards like Smaug
Delving into the realm of Magic the Gathering, Smaug stands out among dragon-themed cards. A fierce embodiment of power, Smaug shares a likeness with cards like Dragonlord Atarka. Both invoke the grandeur of dragons but with distinct benefits upon casting. Dragonlord Atarka offers immediate impact by dealing damage as it enters the battlefield. Nevertheless, Smaug offers a different approach, boasting abilities that accumulate value overtime, much akin to the slow but inevitable growth of a dragon’s hoard.
Analogous to Smaug, Thunderbreak Regent protects fellow dragons while on the board. It penalizes opponents for targeting your dragons, subtly shifting the balance of power. Smaug, however, leans towards a long-term strategy, growing stronger and making your opponent’s decisions tougher as the game progresses. Looking at Hellkite Tyrant, there’s an immediate payoff upon attacking, as it enables the pilfering of artifacts directly into play. Smaug’s strategy differs, with a focus on building up rather than an immediate plunder.
Considering these comparisons, Smaug offers a unique tactical advantage for players who appreciate a strategic build-up, contrasting with others that focus on quick, decisive strikes or immediate board impact. This characterization ensures that Smaug occupies a revered niche among dragon cards in Magic the Gathering, appealing to those who relish in cultivating overwhelming threats that escalate as the duel unfolds.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you bring Smaug into play, the ability to potentially draw cards or force your opponent to discard can shift the balance of the game. Ensuring that you have more options and responses than your opponent is a key strategy in any MTG match, and Smaug offers a way to achieve this advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Smaug’s presence on the battlefield may not directly create resources, but by effectively dealing with your opponent’s threats, you’re able to protect your resources. This indirect resource acceleration can be just as crucial, maintaining your board state and allowing you to deploy further strategies without hindrance.
Instant Speed: While Smaug itself might not be cast at instant speed, its imposing effect can influence the pace and decisions of your opponent’s turn. The knowledge that Smaug could come down at any point might force your opponent to play more conservatively or to overcommit to a strategy that Smaug can subsequently disrupt.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Smaug card mandates that you discard another card to unleash its abilities. This can be a significant drawback during critical gameplay moments when your hand is your most crucial asset.
Specific Mana Cost: Smaug’s ability to sway the tides of battle is beholden to a specific combination of mana colors. This requirement might not always align with the diverse mana bases found in multi-colored decks, reducing its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning Smaug to the field comes at a steep price. Its mana cost eclipses that of many other creatures, potentially slowing down your game plan and giving opponents time to prepare counter-strategies or develop their board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Smaug card can adapt to a plethora of deck styles, particularly in ones that thrive on powerful late-game plays and controlling the board.
Combo Potential: This card’s abilities synergize with strategies focusing on damage amplification or reanimation tactics, which can pave the way for game-changing combos.
Meta-Relevance: With a meta that’s matching wits with big creatures and value plays, the inclusion of Smaug could tip the scales in your favor with its significant board presence.
How to beat
When facing the formidable Smaug in an MTG matchup, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial. Smaug, a powerful card, demands a strategic approach to counter its impact on the game. Typically, Smaug enters the battlefield with a significant presence, challenging opponents to respond effectively. To level the playing field, consider employing removal spells that can bypass any protective abilities Smaug might possess.
Usage of instant-speed removal allows for responses during the opponent’s turn, preserving the element of surprise and hindering their ability to plan a defense. Cards like Doom Blade or Murder that can destroy target creatures are advisable choices. In the case where Smaug has indomitable or hexproof characteristics, utilizing board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can be an effective way to clear the field, given these do not target individual creatures but rather affect all creatures on the board.
Furthermore, incorporating cards that force sacrifice, like Diabolic Edict or Liliana’s Triumph, into your strategy can also be effective, as these do not rely on targeting and can circumvent Smaug’s potential protective abilities. By prioritizing such strategies and remaining adaptable during gameplay, one can undermine Smaug’s dominance and maintain control of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Smaug MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Smaug 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 Smaug Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Jarel Threat.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 7 | 2015 | Token | Black | Jarel Threat | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 20 | 2015 | Token | Black | Jarel Threat |