Volcanic Dragon MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 12 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying,Haste
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Volcanic Dragon dominates the air, dealing consistent damage and drawing opponent’s resources trying to block it.
  2. Instant spells complement the dragon, creating pivotal changes in board control and damage during combat.
  3. High mana value and specific costs may limit the dragon’s play to decks that can support its expense.

Text of card

Flying Volcanic Dragon is unaffected by summoning sickness.

Speed and fire are always a deadly combination.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Volcanic Dragon’s flying ability often assures it remains uncontested in the air, allowing for consistent damage output and applying pressure that can potentially draw resources away from your opponents as they look for ways to mitigate or remove the threat.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly a tool for resource acceleration, this card can serve as an enforcer in strategies that benefit from having a solid aerial presence. Setting up the board with a Volcanic Dragon can secure the skies, enabling you to focus resources elsewhere with greater confidence.

Instant Speed: Volcanic Dragon benefits from instant speed spells that clear the way or remove potential blockers right before the combat phase. This synergy can create sudden swings in board state and damage output, making the card an impactful play against an unprepared opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bringing the Volcanic Dragon into battle necessitates a significant investment, and if you’re running low on hand options, doing so can put you at a strategic disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast this fierce creature, you need an exact mix of mana types, including a heavier reliance on red mana. This may restrict the card’s inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the necessary resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that leans on the higher end, the Volcanic Dragon demands a substantial portion of your resources. In the fast-paced game environment, where efficiency is key, there might be alternative creatures or spells that offer a better cost-to-impact ratio.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Volcanic Dragon’s ability to grant itself haste allows it to adapt to various game situations. This card can serve as a swift threat in aggressive decks or as a surprise blocker in more controlling strategies.

Combo Potential: The Dragon synergizes with decks that capitalize on its flying ability and speed, possibly combining with cards that benefit from creatures dealing combat damage or entering the battlefield with haste.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where the skies are less defended or slower decks prevail, the Volcanic Dragon’s quick impact can shift the game tempo in your favor and keep your opponents on their heels.


How to beat

Volcanic Dragon, with its haste and flying abilities, is a card that commands attention the moment it hits the board. It allows players to immediately swing for a substantial amount of damage, potentially catching an opponent off guard. Its six mana cost signifies a mid to late-game threat, where it can be a game finisher if not dealt with promptly.

To counter this fiery threat, it’s crucial to have a strategy in place before it takes flight. Removal spells that can target creatures with flying, such as Murder or Doom Blade, are ideal for handling the dragon efficiently. Counterspells also provide a preemptive approach, ensuring that the dragon never even enters the battlefield. Ensnaring Bridge is an excellent artifact that can prevent the dragon from attacking if you have a low hand count.

A well-timed removal or the right defensive setup can mitigate the danger posed by Volcanic Dragon. By keeping your mana open for instant-speed responses or establishing control elements early in the game, you can avoid the volcanic fury that this card is capable of unleashing in MTG. Establishing a board presence with creatures that can block flying threats is another tactic, although dealing with the dragon’s haste ability means that preparation is key. As such, remember to keep your shields up and your response ready to douse its flames.


Cards like Volcanic Dragon

When evaluating the Volcanic Dragon, its position in the echelon of flying, haste creatures within Magic: The Gathering comes into consideration. Shivan Dragon stands as a classic comparison – a formidable flier with the ability to pump its power. Shivan Dragon’s flexibility in battle is similar, yet it lacks the haste which gives Volcanic Dragon an immediate presence on the board. Lightning Shrieker is another relative, offering both flying and haste at a lower mana cost, but it shuffles back into the library, making it less reliable for ongoing threats.

Comparing it further, we have the Skyship Stalker, a dragon which not only flies but can also gain haste each turn at a cost. This gives players the choice of immediate impact similar to Volcanic Dragon, yet with adaptable abilities. On the downside, the Stalker demands additional mana investment which could impact overall tempo. Then there’s Thundermaw Hellkite, a powerhouse with flying and haste that also taps potential blockers. Thundermaw does have a higher casting cost but offers a clear pathway for damage right off the bat.

In summary, while there are numerous flying haste creatures to choose from, the Volcanic Dragon holds its ground in MTG with straightforward aggression and no additional mana costs post-casting, an attribute that resonates well with players aiming for fast-paced, aerial victory.

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Lightning Shrieker - MTG Card versions
Skyship Stalker - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Lightning Shrieker - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Skyship Stalker - Kaladesh (KLD)
Thundermaw Hellkite - Magic 2013 (M13)

Cards similar to Volcanic Dragon by color, type and mana cost

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Firestorm Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Crater Hellion - MTG Card versions
Callous Giant - MTG Card versions
Bloodshot Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Worldgorger Dragon - MTG Card versions
Two-Headed Dragon - MTG Card versions
Ronin Cavekeeper - MTG Card versions
Oni of Wild Places - MTG Card versions
Thundermare - MTG Card versions
Pardic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Fiend - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - MTG Card versions
Sunrise Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions
Bogardan Rager - MTG Card versions
Chartooth Cougar - MTG Card versions
Inferno Titan - MTG Card versions
Gang of Devils - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Firestorm Phoenix - Legends (LEG)
Crater Hellion - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Callous Giant - Invasion (INV)
Bloodshot Cyclops - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Worldgorger Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Two-Headed Dragon - From the Vault: Dragons (DRB)
Ronin Cavekeeper - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Oni of Wild Places - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Thundermare - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pardic Dragon - Time Spiral (TSP)
Tectonic Fiend - Time Spiral (TSP)
Etali, Primal Storm - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Sunrise Sovereign - Lorwyn (LRW)
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Bogardan Rager - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Chartooth Cougar - The List (PLST)
Inferno Titan - Commander Masters (CMM)
Gang of Devils - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Volcanic Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 12 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-10-08MirageMIR 2011997normalblackJanine Johnston
21997-05-01PortalPOR 1531997normalblackTom Wänerstrand
31999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 2141997normalwhiteJanine Johnston
41999-07-01Starter 1999S99 1221997normalwhiteJanine Johnston
52011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1582003normalblackChris Rahn
62018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 1672015normalblackChris Rahn
72018-07-14Arena New Player Experience ExtrasXANA 452015normalblackChris Rahn
82019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 3362015normalblackChris Rahn
92019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 10972015normalblackChris Rahn
102020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 882015normalblackChris Rahn
112020-09-26The ListPLST M19-1672015normalblackChris Rahn
122020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 2072015normalblackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Volcanic Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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