Viashivan Dragon MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Dragon
Abilities	Flying
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	140
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ian Miller

Key Takeaways

Direct damage ability is key to reducing opponent’s battlefield presence, ensuring card advantage.
Intimidating presence can strategically pressure opponents, shaping the duel’s pace.
Though powerful, its high casting cost demands careful deck construction and mana management.

Text of card

Flying oo R +1/+0 until end of turn oo G +0/+1 until end of turn

The Viashivan understand that cruelty arises from opportunity.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Viashivan Dragon’s ability to deal damage directly to any target can help eliminate opposing creatures, reducing your opponent’s card presence on the battlefield while you maintain a formidable flyer.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana or resources, the presence of Viashivan Dragon on the field can be a deterrent, allowing you to more safely develop your board without the risk of an immediate counterattack.

Instant Speed: While Viashivan Dragon itself does not have instant speed, its intimidating stature can force opponents to play spells at disadvantageous times, strategically limiting their options and shaping the pace of the duel in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Viashivan Dragon often necessitates a finely tuned hand, where maintaining card advantage is crucial. Having to discard valuable resources as part of its abilities can lead to a detrimental loss of momentum within a game, particularly when playing against decks designed to whittle down your options.

Specific Mana Cost: This iconic card is not only red but requires a substantial commitment of two red mana in its total cost. This specificity can hinder its inclusion in multicolor decks and demand more from a player’s mana base to be effectively cast and utilized, particularly when navigating a diverse field of competing strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s considerably high, the Viashivan Dragon is a powerhouse that comes at a steep price. While its impact is undeniable, in fast-paced games or against efficient removal, the cost to bring this creature to the battlefield can outweigh its benefits, potentially putting the summoning player at a significant tempo loss.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Viashivan Dragon offers a multifaceted role in various deck archetypes. Its ability to split damage between multiple targets makes it a dynamic card for controlling the board, while its flying and firebreathing abilities can turn it into a formidable offensive force.

Combo Potential: This dragon lends itself well to strategies focused on increasing its power with counters or equipment, and can be the lynchpin in dragon-themed decks. Thanks to its flexible mana cost for its firebreathing ability, it’s easy to include in multi-color decks looking to capitalize on red’s potential.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that sees a variety of creature-based strategies, the Viashivan Dragon remains relevant. It can hold its own against other sizable threats, and its immediate impact on the battlefield upon landing can be a game-changer in the right circumstances.

How to beat

The Viashivan Dragon poses a formidable challenge on the battlefield with its capacity to dish out quick, devastating blows. To circumvent the dragon’s dominance in the air, it’s essential to have a strategy up your sleeve. The key is to deter it from taking flight—answers such as removal spells can ground it before your opponent harnesses its full potential. Cards like Murder, Path to Exile, or Counterspell are solid choices to remove or neutralize this beast either before it hits the field or during combat.

Another tactic lies within the realm of board wipes, which can clear multiple threats at once, including the dragon. Supreme Verdict or Damnation can wipe the slate clean, granting you a reset against this formidable foe. Additionally, leveraging flying blockers like Guardian of the Guildpact can also help by providing a durable defensive line. It’s crucial to remember that mana efficiency and timeliness are your allies; disrupting your opponent’s momentum by answering the Viashivan Dragon swiftly could be the tipping point for victory.

In essence, while the Viashivan Dragon is a powerhouse, an arsenal equipped with precision disruption and defensive mechanisms can turn the tides, highlighting the intricate tug-of-war that defines Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Viashivan Dragon

The Viashino Dragon stands as a formidable creature within the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to the renowned Shivan Dragon, which also boasts the ability to boost its power through mana investment. What makes the Viashivan Dragon unique, however, is its multicolored composition, demanding both red and green mana and offering a blend of aggression and versatility.

Another comparable card is the Dragon Tyrant, presenting itself as a powerhouse with not only its fire-breathing ability but also trample, ensuring excess damage ripples through to the opponent. Nonetheless, it requires a steep mana investment, making the Viashino Dragon a more accessible option in the earlier stages of the game. The Cyclone Summoner also plays in this echelon, though it focuses on board control rather than raw power, offering a reset button on the battlefield that the Viashivan Dragon does not.

Ultimately, each of these dragons brings its own set of strengths to the battle. Viashivan Dragon, with its color flexibility and formidable power-boosting capability, holds its ground as a card of choice for many players looking for a dynamic and impactful creature in their MTG deck.

Where to buy

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