Vadrok, Apex of Thunder MTG Card
2020-04-24 - Number 214p
2020-04-24 - Number 214
2020-04-24 - Number 383
2020-04-24 - Number 214s
2020-04-24 - Number 308
2002-06-24 - Number 80985
2002-06-24 - Number 80907
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Elemental Dinosaur Cat |
| Abilities | First strike,Flying,Mutate |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Mutate {W/U} (If you cast this spell for its mutate cost, put it over or under target non-Human creature you own. They mutate into the creature on top plus all abilities from under it.) Flying, first strike Whenever this creature mutates, you may cast target noncreature card with mana value 3 or less from your graveyard without paying its mana cost.
Cards like Vadrok, Apex of Thunder
Vadrok, Apex of Thunder offers Magic: The Gathering players a potent melding of aggression and recursion. When eyeing similar cards, one can’t help but consider Spell Queller. This spirit also flies and disrupts opponents by exiling spells, though it can’t match Vadrok’s ability to recast cards. The recursion aspect is somewhat mirrored by Archaeomancer, capable of retrieving spells from the graveyard, albeit as a comes-into-play effect and without Vadrok’s combat capabilities.
Another card with slight resemblance is Snapcaster Mage, which also grants access to spells in your graveyard. Yet, unlike Vadrok, Snapcaster Mage cannot pull off the feat without an extra mana investment and lacks a built-in, high-powered, flying threat. Whereas Dreadhorde Arcanist allows for repeating spell casts, it does so under stricter conditions, requiring power less than or equal to the number of spells cast, and focusing on lower-cost spells.
While other MTG cards like Eternal Witness offer modes of return-from-graveyard versatility, none showcase the robust combination of features seen in Vadrok—high power, flying, and the unique ability to cast noncreature spells for free upon mutating. This distinct synergy of aggression and utility makes Vadrok, Apex of Thunder a standout in its category.
Cards similar to Vadrok, Apex of Thunder by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Vadrok, Apex of Thunder. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Five-color Aggro | Legacy | 5c Zenith | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 5 |
 | Five-color Combo | Legacy | 5c Zenith | Charlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 12 |
| Five-color Midrange | Legacy | 5c Zenith | Charlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 11 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vadrok, Apex of Thunder allows you to cast a noncreature card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your graveyard without paying its mana cost, giving you an opportunity to gain an edge by reusing potent spells.
Resource Acceleration: By reusing cards with mana-generating effects or spells that put additional lands onto the battlefield, Vadrok can significantly speed up your resource growth, enabling more powerful plays earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: Vadrok’s ability to recur instant spells adds a layer of unpredictability, allowing you to adapt during your opponent’s turn or right before your turn begins, keeping them guessing and you a step ahead.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Vadrok, Apex of Thunder comes with the mandate that you must discard a card to unleash its Mutate ability. This prerequisite could put you at a disadvantage by depleting valuable hand resources, making it a risky play when cards in hand are scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana needed to cast Vadrok leans heavily on Jeskai colors – one blue, one red, and one white. For players running a multi-colored deck outside these hues, incorporating Vadrok can be challenging, often necessitating a rework of the mana base to accommodate this majestic creature.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning this Mythic Rare creature doesn’t come cheap; its casting cost is one generic and three specific mana points, which is quite an investment. Considering other options in the game, there are creatures and spells that impose a lesser strain on your mana pool while still providing you with dynamic gameplay advantages.
Reasons to Include Vadrok, Apex of Thunder in Your Collection
Versatility: Vadrok, Apex of Thunder fits smoothly into a wide array of deck types, particularly ones that capitalize on casting spells from the graveyard. Its ability to mutate and cast noncreature cards with a mana cost of three or less adds depth to gameplay, making it a dynamic choice for both casual and competitive play.
Combo Potential: The inherent synergy Vadrok has with various instant and sorcery cards offers numerous combo avenues. Players can exploit its mutate mechanic creatively, using it to recur powerful spells and establish formidable board states that can turn the tides of a game.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on interaction and spell-based strategies, Vadrok shines by allowing players to reuse their most impactful spells. This constant recycling of resources keeps the deck responsive and can adapt to the ever-changing flow of the game, ensuring its relevance in various meta scenarios.
How to beat
Vadrok, Apex of Thunder is a formidable creature in Magic: The Gathering, capable of combining flying, first strike, and the unique ability to recast noncreature spells with a converted mana cost of three or less from your graveyard. Overcoming this versatile threat requires careful planning and strategy.
Counterspells are effective at ensuring Vadrok never hits the battlefield, while removal spells can deal with it after it’s played. However, given Vadrok’s ability to potentially return to the field through mutation, exile effects become significantly more valuable. Cards like “Swords to Plowshares” or “Path to Exile” remove Vadrok fully from the equation. Hand disruption can also be pivotal, with spells like “Thoughtseize” or “Duress” allowing a peek into your opponent’s plans and a chance to discard Vadrok before it even poses a threat.
Finally, cards that limit graveyard interaction, like “Rest in Peace” or “Grafdigger’s Cage,” can inhibit Vadrok’s recurring advantage. When preparing to combat Vadrok, Apex of Thunder, integrating a variety of answers and ensuring they’re at the ready can be key to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vadrok, Apex of Thunder MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Vadrok, Apex of Thunder and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Vadrok, Apex of Thunder Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2020-04-24. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 80985 | 2015 | Mutate | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | ||
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 80907 | 2015 | Mutate | Black | Johann Bodin | ||
| 3 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos | PIKO | 214p | 2015 | Mutate | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 4 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 214 | 2015 | Mutate | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 5 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 383 | 2015 | Mutate | Borderless | Johann Bodin | |
| 6 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos | PIKO | 214s | 2015 | Mutate | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 7 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 308 | 2015 | Mutate | Borderless | Tomasz Jedruszek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vadrok, Apex of Thunder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vadrok, Apex of Thunder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-04-17 | If a spell has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost. |
| 2020-04-17 | If you cast a spell “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Swallow Whole, those must be paid to cast the card. |
| 2020-04-17 | If you wish to cast the target card, you do so as part of the resolution of Vadrok’s ability. You can’t wait to cast it later. Timing permissions based on a card’s type are ignored. |