Quirion Dryad MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dryad
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Grows with each noncreature spell, enhancing its presence and potential for board control effectively.
  2. Suits multicolored decks well, but may underperform in mono-green or low-spellcasting strategies.
  3. In high-speed metagames, it can spiral quickly into a substantial threat with careful spell weaving.

Text of card

Whenever you play a white, blue, black, or red spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Quirion Dryad.

"Never underestimate the ability of natural forces to adapt to unnatural influences." —Molimo, maro-sorcerer


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Quirion Dryad itself doesn’t enable the drawing of cards directly, it synergizes with spells that do, effectively turning any spell into a potential source of power growth. Each spell you cast, particularly cantrips that allow you to draw, ensures that the Dryad becomes a more formidable threat, adding to the potential for card advantage on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Quirion Dryad serves as a form of indirect resource acceleration. By growing stronger with each noncreature spell you cast, it reduces the need for additional resources to invest in other creatures. This allows you to allocate your mana more efficiently and support more cost-intensive spells in your strategy.

Instant Speed: Quirion Dryad flourishes in decks that utilize instant-speed spells. Each instant you cast not only furthers your strategic goals but also buffs the Dryad seamlessly during either player’s turn. This constant threat of growth applies pressure to your opponent, as the Dryad can unexpectedly outscale threats or swing in for considerable damage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Quirion Dryad doesn’t require an outright discard, its ability hinges on casting spells, which can deplete your hand rapidly. This makes it less effective should you find yourself low on cards and unable to fuel its growth.

Specific Mana Cost: Quirion Dryad thrives in decks with a diverse array of colored spells. However, this dependency means it’s less potent in mono-green decks or those that don’t consistently cast spells of different colors, thereby narrowing its deck-building applications.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a metagame where efficiency is key, the mana investment to get Quirion Dryad on the board and to grow it to a considerable size may be too slow. Other creatures at a similar cost can provide more immediate impact without needing additional spells to become threats.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Quirion Dryad is a card that easily finds a home in a variety of green-based decks, particularly ones that cast a multitude of spells. Its ability to grow with each non-green spell played makes it adaptable to various game plans, whether you’re casting cantrips, removal, or multicolored spells.

Combo Potential: This creature offers significant combo potential, pairing excellently with decks that aim to cast numerous spells in a single turn. As spells are chained together, the Dryad becomes an increasing threat that can outsize opponents’ creatures rapidly, turning it into a formidable win condition.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where speed and efficiency are key, Quirion Dryad stands out as a card that can escalate in power level quickly without demanding a high mana investment. As you weave your spells to disrupt opponents or advance your board state, the Dryad grows, keeping you relevant in the ever-shifting battleground of card matchups.


How to beat

Confronting Quirion Dryad in a Magic: The Gathering match presents a unique challenge, as this creature thrives on the spells you cast. Growing stronger with every non-green spell played, Quirion Dryad can quickly become an unchecked threat on the battlefield. To counter this, efficient creature removal is key. Spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispatch the Dryad before it accumulates too many +1/+1 counters. Moreover, avoiding the use of non-essential spells when a Quirion Dryad is in play can limit its growth, thus keeping it within manageable bounds.

Maintaining board control is another strategic approach. Cards that restrict creature abilities or spells, such as Cursed Totem or Damping Sphere, can successfully neutralize the advantages the Dryad offers. Playing these can ensure that your opponent’s Quirion Dryad doesn’t become overwhelming. Strategic planning and timely removal can make all the difference. In essence, being prepared and proactive in handling creatures like Quirion Dryad is essential to maintaining dominance in your MTG battles.


Cards like Quirion Dryad

Quirion Dryad is a notable creature card in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of cards that grow in power with spell casting, such as Vinelasher Kudzu. Vinelasher Kudzu gains a +1/+1 counter whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, which is a different trigger compared to Quirion Dryad, but both cards excel in decks that foster their distinct growth conditions.

Another card that echoes Quirion Dryad’s growth mechanic is Deeproot Champion, which receives a +1/+1 counter each time you cast a noncreature spell. However, Quirion Dryad boasts the advantage of a lower casting cost and the potential to scale faster in multicolored decks. Quirion Dryad’s growth is also triggered by enemy spells, providing an interesting edge during competitive play.

When considering strategic deck builds and synergies, Quirion Dryad holds a strong position among creature cards that can become threats over time. Its simple mana requirement and compatibility with spell-heavy decks make it a dynamic addition to many strategies in Magic: The Gathering, aligning seamlessly with both aggressive and control tactics.

Vinelasher Kudzu - MTG Card versions
Deeproot Champion - MTG Card versions
Vinelasher Kudzu - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Deeproot Champion - Ixalan Promos (PXLN)

Cards similar to Quirion Dryad by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
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Wyluli Wolf - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Whirling Dervish - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
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Scavenging Ooze - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Heir of the Wilds - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wren's Run Vanquisher - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Muscle Sliver - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Utopia Tree - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bloodline Shaman - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sakura-Tribe Elder - Junior APAC Series (PJAS)
Oran-Rief Survivalist - Zendikar (ZEN)
Vine Trellis - Duel Decks: Garruk vs. Liliana (DDD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Quirion Dryad MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and Tenth Edition, 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 Quirion Dryad and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Quirion Dryad Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2020-07-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-02-05PlaneshiftPLS 891997normalblackDon Hazeltine
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2872003normalblackTodd Lockwood
32012-07-13Magic 2013M13 1842003normalblackTodd Lockwood
42020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 1982015normalblackTodd Lockwood

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Quirion Dryad has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Quirion Dryad card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-06-23 An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2020-06-23 If you cast a spell that's more than one color, Quirion Dryad's ability triggers just once.

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