Mordant Dragon MTG Card

Worldwake (WWK)
2010-02-05 - Number 85

Mordant Dragon - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)

Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
2011-04-01 - Number 58

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Dragon
Abilities	Flying
Power	5
Toughness	5

Key Takeaways

Mordant Dragon offers card advantage and damage, improving game lead potential and board control.
Specific mana requirements limit flexibility but excel in mono-red or red-heavy decks.
Despite a high mana cost, it can be a game-changing addition for dragon-focused strategies.

Text of card

Flying : Mordant Dragon gets +1/+0 until end of turn. Whenever Mordant Dragon deals combat damage to a player, you may have it deal that much damage to target creature that player controls.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mordant Dragon gives players a significant card advantage by inflicting damage on an opponent and allowing you to draw a card, enhancing your ability to maintain lead in the game.

Resource Acceleration: This flying behemoth can act as a form of resource acceleration, offering repeated opportunities to deal damage and effectively decreasing the resources your opponent can utilize to stabilize the board.

Instant Speed: While Mordant Dragon itself is not an instant, its ability to deal damage upon attacking rewards players who are also using instant-speed removal or combat tricks during the attack phase, synergizing with strategies that can operate at instant speed.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With some strategies in MTG, having a full hand can be crucial. Mordant Dragon doesn’t require you to discard, but its presence in a deck may pressure players into prematurely using removal or other spells, thus lowering hand size and potentially limiting future options and responses.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck building can be a delicate art, and the Mordant Dragon’s mana cost, including three red mana, makes it less flexible. This requirement means it fits primarily into mono-red decks or those with a heavy red component, potentially making it a less versatile choice in comparison to more color-flexible dragons.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its cost of five mana — including three that must be red — Mordant Dragon carries a substantial investment that might be too slow against quick aggro decks. Other creatures and spells at a similar mana range could potentially provide immediate impact or more versatile control of the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Mordant Dragon in Your Collection

Versatility: Mordant Dragon brings a level of adaptability to any red-based deck, particularly those looking for a hard-hitting flier. With its ability to deal damage directly to the opponent or clear away smaller creatures, it’s a threat that adapts to various board states.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in decks that capitalize on dealing damage. Its fire-breathing ability scales with available mana, making it a formidable enabler for strategies that can unload a lot of mana in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with decks that have a lot of small creatures or are susceptible to flying threats, the Mordant Dragon provides a robust answer. It can consistently apply pressure and become a major threat that your opponents can’t ignore.

How to beat

Mordant Dragon is a fiery force in the realm of red creatures within Magic: The Gathering. With its formidable flying presence and the ability to direct damage at players or creatures when it deals combat damage, it poses a significant threat on the battlefield. Despite its strength, there are effective strategies to counter it.

One method is to neutralize it before it has a chance to attack. Spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can remove Mordant Dragon from play efficiently. Controlling the board with early counterspells prevents it from entering the battlefield altogether. If Mordant Dragon does make it into play, enchantments such as Pacifism can render it harmless, effectively grounding the beast without needing to remove it from the field.

For long-term strategies, consider using cards that prevent damage from red creatures or give your creatures protection from red. This way, even if Mordant Dragon attacks, it won’t be able to deal its finishing blow. By implementing these tactics, you can douse the flames of Mordant Dragon and maintain the upper hand in your MTG duels.

Cards like Mordant Dragon

Mordant Dragon defines power in the skies for red players in the MTG world. Dwelling in the realm of dragon-kind like Thundermaw Hellkite, Mordant Dragon offers flying dominance on the battlefield. Both creatures showcase a solid power and toughness, with Thundermaw Hellkite having the edge in swiftness due to its haste ability. However, Mordant Dragon brings a tailored advantage for dragon enthusiasts—dealing damage directly to target players or planeswalkers depending on the number of attacking dragons.

Another kin, Stormbreath Dragon, shares similarities with Mordant Dragon, wielding protection from white, which can be critical against certain decks. While Stormbreath Dragon’s monstrous ability is a considerable threat, Mordant Dragon’s damage potential grows with each red mana available. This serves as an intriguing balance when determining which dragon suits your strategy best.

In essence, Mordant Dragon may not be the swiftest or the most defensive choice amongst its related dragons in MTG. Yet, its potential for precise and calculable damage makes it a fearsome component in any dragon-oriented deck, holding its ground in a niche of flying, fiery behemoths.

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

Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mordant Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake 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 Mordant Dragon and other MTG cards: