Stormbreath Dragon MTG Card

Stormbreath Dragon leverages opponents’ card advantage, making hand size a double-edged sword. With haste and protection from white, it’s a resilient pick for red-based decks. Optimal against control decks, it remains relevant in evolving MTG metas.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Mythic
Type	Creature — Dragon
Abilities	Flying,Haste,Monstrosity,Protection
Released	2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set name	Theros
Set code	THS
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	143
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Slawomir Maniak

Text of card

Flying, haste, protection from white : Monstrosity 3. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put three +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.) When Stormbreath Dragon becomes monstrous, it deals damage to each opponent equal to the number of cards in that player's hand.

Cards like Stormbreath Dragon

Stormbreath Dragon carves its own niche among formidable creatures in Magic the Gathering. It stands comparison with Thundermaw Hellkite, another powerful dragon, both boasting haste with a similar mana cost. Thundermaw Hellkite’s ability to tap all flying creatures when it attacks makes it a strong contender. However, Stormbreath Dragon’s protection from white gives it a unique edge, making it invulnerable to a range of common removal spells.

Glorybringer is another dragon flying high in the skies of MTG. Like Stormbreath Dragon, it offers immediate board impact with exert providing a potent removal option. However, Stormbreath Dragon’s monstrous ability could tip the scales with potential to cause massive damage unblockable by white creatures. Conversely, Glorybringer’s exert needs careful timing as it sidelines the creature for a turn, whereas Stormbreath’s flexibility in timing can be a game-changing advantage.

Each card holds its place in Magic the Gathering decks tailored to specific strategies – with Stormbreath Dragon excelling against decks heavy in white spells. In the dance of dragons across the MTG landscape, Stormbreath Dragon emerges with a fierce tempo and resilience that are hard to match.

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Stormbreath Dragon. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Izzet Wizards	Modern	Temur Control	Grand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Gruul Midrange	Modern	Gruul Midrange	Last Chance Qualifier Ghent
R	Modern		Modern Preliminary 2024-02-28
Gruul Ponza	Modern	Gruul Midrange	Last Chance Qualifier Ghent
Izzet Control	Legacy		2023 Asia Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stormbreath Dragon’s ability to deal damage to an opponent equal to the number of cards they have in hand can shift the balance of the game, effectively turning their card advantage against them. This makes the dragon an imposing force on the battlefield, especially in the later stages of a match where opponents may have a fuller hand.

Resource Acceleration: As a high-powered creature with a relatively hefty mana cost, Stormbreath Dragon serves as an excellent late-game play. Once on the board, its monstrosity ability not only boosts its power but can act as a sudden onslaught against an unprepared opponent, leading to a swift change in game dynamics.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Stormbreath Dragon has haste, allowing it to attack as soon as it hits the battlefield. This immediate threat can catch adversaries off guard, making it comparable to the surprise factor of instant speed spells. Additionally, it’s able to dodge sorcery speed removal, which is particularly relevant in a meta full of such spells.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stormbreath Dragon does not have a discard requirement, but its monstrous ability can be less impactful if you’ve already had to empty your hand to cast it, reducing your potential to capitalize on its damage-dealing effect.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost demanding three red mana, Stormbreath Dragon necessitates a heavy commitment to red mana sources, potentially restricting its inclusion to mono-red or two-color decks with a strong red base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Carrying a five mana investment, with three being color-specific, Stormbreath Dragon competes directly with a multitude of other high-impact five-mana creatures and spells which may offer immediate game-changing effects or fit into a wider variety of strategies.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Stormbreath Dragon offers flexibility in various deck builds, fitting snugly into aggressive strategies with its swift aerial attacks and protection from white, which is excellent against popular white-based removal spells.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in decks utilizing red’s penchant for damage-dealing. Its monstrous ability scales with the number of cards in your opponent’s hand, rewarding you for their stocked arsenal and can easily become a game-ending threat.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that often sees heavy play from nonbasic lands, Stormbreath Dragon’s immunity to white and its ability to punish opponents’ large hands make it a formidable match against control decks that tend to hold many cards. It’s a strong competitor in current and evolving metas.

How to beat

Stormbreath Dragon, a formidable creature in the realm of MTG, presents a unique challenge when it soars onto the battlefield. Unlike other creatures that linger on the ground, this dragon takes to the skies with haste, making it an immediate threat. Its additional protection from white fortifies it against a commonly used removal color, which means players need alternative strategies to combat this monstrosity.

To effectively counter this dragon, one must look towards uncolored or nonwhite removal options. Cards like Murderous Rider or Hero’s Downfall offer an efficient solution, as they can target and destroy any creature regardless of its protection details. Furthermore, setting up board states that can deal with flying threats is critical; spiders with reach or instant-speed spells that can remove flying capabilities may deter or eliminate the dragon from the equation.

Lastly, countering the dragon before it even enters the field with blue-based spells like Counterspell or Negate can ensure a player’s strategy remains uninterrupted. Diverse spell types, strategic foresight, and the right removal spells are key to claiming victory over the powerful Stormbreath Dragon.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stormbreath Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Stormbreath Dragon and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stormbreath Dragon has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stormbreath Dragon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2013-09-15	An ability that triggers when a creature becomes monstrous won't trigger if that creature isn't on the battlefield when its monstrosity ability resolves.
2013-09-15	For each opponent, count the number of cards in that player's hand when the last ability resolves to determine how much damage Stormbreath Dragon does to them.
2013-09-15	Monstrous isn't an ability that a creature has. It's just something true about that creature. If the creature stops being a creature or loses its abilities, it will continue to be monstrous.
2013-09-15	Once a creature becomes monstrous, it can't become monstrous again. If the creature is already monstrous when the monstrosity ability resolves, nothing happens.