Swiftgear Drake MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Drake
Abilities	Flying,Haste
Released	2022-11-18
Set symbol
Set name	The Brothers' War
Set code	BRO
Power	2
Toughness	4
Number	251
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros

Key Takeaways

Swiftgear Drake enhances card draw when dealing combat damage, providing a beneficial card advantage.
Its flying trait offers considerable versatility in combat, making it a formidable presence.
The drake’s blue-generic mana cost may limit deck inclusion but ensures color commitment.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Swiftgear Drake MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Swiftgear Drake and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

Flying, haste When Swiftgear Drake enters the battlefield, put up to one target card from a graveyard on the bottom of its owner's library.

Inspired by fishing raptors, Tawnos designed the drake's talons to seize prey with overwhelming speed and precision.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: As a flying creature, Swiftgear Drake presents the opportunity to get ahead in card draw. Each time it deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card, bolstering your hand and giving you more options for future plays.

Resource Acceleration: Although Swiftgear Drake doesn’t directly produce additional mana or resources, its primary ability can lead to drawing into more lands or mana-producing spells, indirectly accelerating your resource availability.

Instant Speed: The ability to play spells at instant speed is not a feature of Swiftgear Drake itself. However, its flying trait allows it to be a reliable source of damage in the sky, potentially opening the window for instant speed interactions with other cards in your deck during the combat phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To play Swiftgear Drake, you might need to discard another card, a setback if your hand is already running short on valuable plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and generic mana, Swiftgear Drake demands a commitment to its colors, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce both types of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a considerable amount of mana needed to summon, Swiftgear Drake may be overshadowed by other creatures that bring more impact to the battlefield for a lower investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Swiftgear Drake brings flexibility to blue-based decks. With its flying ability, it serves as an excellent blocker or an elusive threat, fitting seamlessly into various strategies ranging from tempo to control.

Combo Potential: This creature’s prowess in triggering spells and abilities that synergize with flying can catalyze a multitude of combos. Its utility is further amplified when paired with cards that capitalize on casting spells or creatures taking to the skies.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aerial dominance is key, Swiftgear Drake’s affordable casting cost and flying trait make it an adept choice. It’s particularly potent against decks with minimal reach or flying defense, allowing it to press an advantage and shape the pace of play.

How to Beat

The Swiftgear Drake presents players with an aerial challenge thanks to its flying ability, making it a card that demands strategic counters. To overcome this agile creature, artifact removal spells are key. Cards like Naturalize or Shatter are particularly effective, allowing you to target the equipment enhancing the drake’s capabilities. Players should prioritize disabling any buffs the Swiftgear Drake receives to lessen the threat.

Control decks have a distinct advantage here, with counter spells like Negate stopping the Swiftgear Drake before it even takes flight. For those who prefer a creature-focused strategy, utilizing reach creatures or ones with flying themselves can offer a reliable line of defense. Spider creatures or airborne threats are especially suitable for such encounters. It’s also worth noting that board wipe spells, often found in white and black magic, can reset the board and remove the Drake regardless of its aerial prowess.

Consistency in applying these strategic principles helps players create a safety net against the Swiftgear Drake, ensuring it doesn’t dominate the skies uncontested. Balancing your deck with a mixture of creature and non-creature spells will go a long way to securing victory against such flying threats.

Cards like Swiftgear Drake

Swiftgear Drake is an interesting entry in the realm of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. When looking for comparable cards, one might think of Mistral Charger, a card that also provides a 2/1 flying body for the same amount of investment. Where Swiftgear Drake soars higher is in its additional artifact synergy, offering a slight edge in decks that benefit from artifact permanents.

Another notable comparison is Faerie Miscreant, providing not only flying but also the opportunity to draw a card when another enters the battlefield under your control. However, Swiftgear Drake stands out with its ability to contribute to the artifact count without relying on having multiple copies. Welkin Tern also has similarities with flying and the same converted mana cost but lacks the additional artifact type which can amplify certain strategies in an MTG match.

Examining the details and evaluating the synergies, Swiftgear Drake emerges as a valuable choice for players who seek to elevate their flying creature game and strengthen their artifact-themed decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Swiftgear Drake by color, type and mana cost

The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Swiftgear Drake has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal