Voracious Dragon MTG Card
2009-02-06 - Number 75
2011-04-01 - Number 56
2020-09-26 - Number CON-75
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Devour,Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Devour 1 (As this comes into play, you may sacrifice any number of creatures. This creature comes into play with that many +1/+1 counters on it.) When Voracious Dragon comes into play, it deals damage to target creature or player equal to twice the number of Goblins it devoured.
Cards like Voracious Dragon
Voracious Dragon serves as an impressive finisher in decks that capitalize on Goblin tokens within Magic: The Gathering. It’s not far removed from cards like Siege-Gang Commander, which also takes advantage of Goblins by allowing you to sacrifice them for damage. However, Voracious Dragon offers a substantial impact by potentially removing a sizable chunk of an opponent’s life total in one swoop with its devour ability, versus the incremental damage from Siege-Gang Commander.
Another relative in this category is the Dragon Broodmother. Both cards delight in the devour mechanic, yet Broodmother does so in a more consistent manner, providing a steady stream of dragon fodder with each upkeep. In contrast, Voracious Dragon demands a one-time sizeable army to be genuinely devastating. Then there’s Hellkite Charger, which also offers a compelling damage output, yet it does so by facilitating additional combat phases instead of leveraging small creatures.
Ultimately, Voracious Dragon excels in a strategy that’s teeming with tokens, standing out as an apex predator ready to engulf a swarm of Goblins and breathe out a destructive firestorm to finish games in a grand, draconic fashion.
Cards similar to Voracious Dragon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Voracious Dragon presents a nifty way to turn your creature presence into direct damage, potentially swinging the game in your favor. By devouring Goblins, it can clear enemies or pressure life totals while also enhancing your board position.
Resource Acceleration: With the right setup, this dragon can help generate a formidable army. Each devoured Goblin translates into damage, effectively turning your tokens into potential game-ending power plays.
Instant Speed: While this dragon operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the game is immediate and influential. The ability to convert existing resources into a substantial threat as soon as it hits the battlefield can catch opponents off guard and disrupt their strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Voracious Dragon’s effectiveness hinges on you having enough Goblins to sacrifice. If your hand or battlefield is lacking these creatures, you won’t be able to reap the full benefits of its devour ability, which in turn greatly reduces its impact on the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Voracious Dragon requires a commitment to red mana—more precisely, three red sources. This specificity can strain your mana base and makes it a challenging inclusion in multicolored decks that might not always have the necessary red mana available when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Voracious Dragon can be considered a heavy investment, especially considering that it is dependent on other cards (namely Goblins) to truly shine. Other creatures or spells within the same mana range may offer immediate value or less conditional effects, potentially making them more versatile choices in a given deck.
Reasons to Include Voracious Dragon in Your Collection
Versatility: Voracious Dragon offers a unique blend of creature power and direct damage. It’s a flexible addition to any red-based deck, able to capitalize on a broad range of strategies involving Goblins or token-generating cards.
Combo Potential: This card opens up numerous combo possibilities, working exceptionally well with decks that produce a swarm of Goblin tokens. By devouring these tokens, Voracious Dragon’s power surges, allowing for potentially game-ending damage to your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where small creatures and token strategies are prevalent, Voracious Dragon becomes an extraordinarily apt choice. It not only bolsters your board presence but can also turn the tide of the game through its built-in direct damage ability.
How to beat
Voracious Dragon is a powerhouse in MTG, presenting a dual threat with its flying ability and potential for massive direct damage through its devour ability. The key to overcoming this card lies in prevention and removal. Control decks with access to counterspells can negate its casting, while other strategies might include removal spells, like Path to Exile or Doom Blade, to deal with it after it hits the battlefield.
Another effective tactic is to limit the number of goblins or other creatures available for it to devour. Cards like Wrath of God can help clear the board before Voracious Dragon lands. Timely removal of goblins not only weakens the dragon’s impact but can also disrupt your opponent’s game plan. Remember, without prey, a dragon isn’t quite as fearsome. By staying ahead in the removal game and keeping the board clear, you can turn the tables on Voracious Dragon and keep its fiery breath at bay.
Ultimately, while Voracious Dragon has the potential to be a game-ender, it’s not unbeatable. Thoughtful deck building and strategic play are your best defenses against this winged menace. Consider your deck’s answers to such threats when preparing for your next MTG battle.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Voracious Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Conflux and Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons, 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 Voracious Dragon 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
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Printings
The Voracious Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-02-06 and 2011-04-01. Illustrated by Dominick Domingo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-02-06 | Conflux | CON | 75 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dominick Domingo | |
| 2 | 2011-04-01 | Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons | DDG | 56 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dominick Domingo | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | CON-75 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dominick Domingo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Voracious Dragon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Voracious Dragon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-02-01 | Voracious Dragon can devour any type of creatures, not just Goblins. |
| 2009-02-01 | “The number of Goblins it devoured” means “The number of Goblins sacrificed as a result of its devour ability as it entered the battlefield.” For each creature that Voracious Dragon devoured, this ability checks its creature type as it last existed on the battlefield to see if it was a Goblin at that time. |