Mana-Charged Dragon MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying,Join forces,Trample
Power 5
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. The dragon thrives in multiplayer, amassing power from collective mana, dictating the flow of the game.
  2. Trample and Join Forces mechanic allow for dynamic, instantaneous power spikes during combat.
  3. Inconsistent mana contributions and high cost provide challenges in single-player formats.

Text of card

Flying, trample Join forces — Whenever Mana-Charged Dragon attacks or blocks, each player starting with you may pay any amount of mana. Mana-Charged Dragon gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the total amount of mana paid this way.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Mana-Charged Dragon can be a cornerstone in your build, providing significant advantage through its potential for overwhelming damage. As part of a multiplayer game, the collaborative mana contributions can swiftly escalate the dragon’s power, turning it into a formidable flying force that can pressure opponents or even end the game if left unchecked.

Resource Acceleration: This mighty dragon excels in decks that can leverage resource acceleration. With its Trample ability, any additional mana poured into it amplifies its impact, delivering heavy blows to any opponent. The flexibility of receiving mana from any player means that alliances can be formed, making it a unique piece in multiplayer strategies that can change the state of play rapidly.

Instant Speed: Thanks to the Join Forces mechanic, each player can contribute mana at instant speed right before your turn begins, providing sudden and unpredictable power boosts. This not only catches opponents off guard but also synergizes seamlessly with instant-speed spells or abilities that players might hold onto until the last moment, ensuring that your dragon is as menacing as possible.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mana-Charged Dragon relies on multiplayer generosity to charge its firepower, which may not be reliable. In a single-player setting, you might find it challenging to tap into the potential of the communal mana pool, putting you at a slight disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires a specific combination of red and other colors of mana, making it a tricky fit outside of multi-colored or red-centric decks. If your deck isn’t optimized for such mana diversity, you may struggle to summon it onto the battlefield.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a considerable casting cost, this dragon demands a heavy mana investment before it can soar into play. In faster-paced games, the high mana requirement could slow you down, giving your opponents a chance to establish a dominant position while you’re still trying to gather the necessary resources.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mana-Charged Dragon’s firebreathing ability allows it to adapt to different board states, becoming a formidable threat that can scale with the available mana. This makes it a flexible option for various red-based or multicolored decks seeking a powerful finisher.

Combo Potential: With its unique ability to let any player pay mana to pump its power, Mana-Charged Dragon synergizes well with multiplayer formats and strategies that can harness communal mana resources or manipulate the amount of mana players can access.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where large creatures can dominate and multiplayer formats are prevalent, the Mana-Charged Dragon offers a dynamic playstyle. Its clout in such environments may impact games significantly, making it a savvy addition for players aiming to have an upper hand in the meta.


How to beat

Mana-Charged Dragon presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering due to its multiplayer oriented nature and the trample ability, often leading to an accelerated end for opponents lacking the right strategy. The key to overcoming this formidable creature is to focus on removal options that can handle creatures of any size. Spells like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile are incredibly efficient as they bypass the massive power and toughness accrual that can occur with the Dragon’s ability.

Additionally, countering the spells that feed Mana-Charged Dragon with mana, such as mana rocks or ramp spells, can mitigate the threat before it becomes overwhelming. Ensnaring board-wide control cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can also reset the field and eliminate the dragon regardless of how much mana has been pumped into it. Lastly, preventing your opponents from colluding to amplify the dragon’s power through politics or cards that restrict the ability to play abilities during other players’ turns can solidify your defenses against this explosive creature.

Should the Mana-Charged Dragon make it to the field, swift action and well-timed removal are your best allies to ensure this behemoth doesn’t wreak havoc across the board, ensuring your continued play and strides towards victory.


Cards like Mana-Charged Dragon

In the dynamic world of Magic: The Gathering, the Mana-Charged Dragon offers a unique flair within the roster of red creature cards. When dissecting cards of a similar nature, we could look at Dragon Broodmother. Both command a substantial board presence and a mana sink ability, inviting players to invest extra mana for a considerable impact. While the Broodmother autonomously generates offspring during each upkeep, the Mana-Charged Dragon hinges on the contributions of all players, potentially swelling to colossal power levels during multiplayer games.

Another peer to the Mana-Charged Dragon is the perennial favorite, Lathliss, Dragon Queen, who champions the cause of dragon synergy. Unlike Mana-Charged Dragon, which benefits from a communal mana pool, Lathliss focuses on amassing a dragon armada and bolstering them. Where Lathliss is self-sufficient, the Mana-Charged Dragon excels in games where politics and alliances come into play, offering a tactical edge in group settings.

Ultimately, MTG players have a myriad of dragon cards to choose from, each with their strategic uses. The Mana-Charged Dragon stands out in cooperative play, where it turns shared resources into formidable strength, juxtaposing it against other dragon-themed powerhouses in the game.

Dragon Broodmother - MTG Card versions
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - MTG Card versions
Dragon Broodmother - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - Resale Promos (PRES)

Cards similar to Mana-Charged Dragon by color, type and mana cost

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Firestorm Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Crater Hellion - MTG Card versions
Goblin Marshal - MTG Card versions
Callous Giant - MTG Card versions
Halam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Bloodshot Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Worldgorger Dragon - MTG Card versions
Two-Headed Dragon - MTG Card versions
Iron-Barb Hellion - MTG Card versions
Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Akki - MTG Card versions
Ronin Cavekeeper - MTG Card versions
Oni of Wild Places - MTG Card versions
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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
Shivan Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Firestorm Phoenix - Legends (LEG)
Crater Hellion - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Goblin Marshal - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Callous Giant - Invasion (INV)
Halam Djinn - Invasion (INV)
Bloodshot Cyclops - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Worldgorger Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Two-Headed Dragon - From the Vault: Dragons (DRB)
Iron-Barb Hellion - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Ryusei, the Falling Star - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Patron of the Akki - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
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)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mana-Charged Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2011 and Commander Anthology, 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 Mana-Charged Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mana-Charged Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by Mike Bierek.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1292003normalblackMike Bierek
22017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 842015normalblackMike Bierek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mana-Charged Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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