Dragonlord Kolaghan MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Elder Dragon
Abilities Flying,Haste
Power 6
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Dragonlord Kolaghan grants immediate board presence and potential for aggressive play that disrupts opponents.
  2. It excels in environments where its haste and graveyard interference can dominate, becoming a collection staple.
  3. Despite its strengths, smart counters like targeted removal or alternative win conditions can mitigate its impact.

Text of card

Flying, haste Other creatures you control have haste. Whenever an opponent casts a creature or planeswalker spell with the same name as a card in his or her graveyard, that player loses 10 life.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dragonlord Kolaghan provides a significant edge to players with its ability to impact the board immediately upon entry. When you cast this formidable dragon, the mere presence can often disrupt an opponent’s game plan, putting you in a beneficial position without needing to commit further cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a resource acceleration tool, Dragonlord Kolaghan encourages a game state that allows you to play aggressively. An aggressive strategy can prevent opponents from stabilizing, thereby indirectly speeding up your resource dominance as you pressure your opponent and reduce their options to respond.

Instant Speed: This creature doesn’t have an ability that explicitly functions at instant speed, but its haste ability enables it to swing the game as soon as it hits the battlefield. By potentially leading to immediate damage, it seizes the moment in a rapid and impactful manner, similar to the advantages of using an instant-speed spell.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Dragonlord Kolaghan doesn’t have a discard requirement, it’s important for players to carefully consider their hand because playing a high-cost creature can deplete resources that could be used for critical plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Dragonlord Kolaghan requires both Black and Red mana, which can be restrictive as it dictates the necessity for a certain mana base, often leading to a less flexible deck composition.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that totals to six mana, including two specific colors, Dragonlord Kolaghan’s deployment might come later in the game. Earlier turns could be spent developing your board or controlling the game, which means this card could sit in your hand while you’re setting up the necessary mana.


Reasons to Include Dragonlord Kolaghan in Your Collection

Versatility: Dragonlord Kolaghan fits seamlessly into a variety of deck archetypes, especially those looking to capitalize on haste and providing a universal speed boost to your creature plays. Its impact on the board state is immediate and impactful, making it a dynamic addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: The card synergizes with strategies that aim to win quickly or utilize creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects. Its static ability also disrupts opponents’ graveyards, hindering any plans that involve playing cards from there.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-present threat of graveyard-based strategies in various formats, having Dragonlord Kolaghan can give you a significant edge. Its speed and disruption are invaluable in a meta that rewards quick and decisive plays.


How to beat

The challenge of facing off against Dragonlord Kolaghan in Magic: The Gathering cannot be understated. This formidable Elder Dragon brings haste and a unique ability to the battlefield, granting your creatures haste and punishing opponents for utilizing creatures with the same name as those in their graveyard. While seemingly invincible, Dragonlord Kolaghan can be outmaneuvered with the right strategy.

Control decks have the tools necessary to deal with Dragonlord Kolaghan. Spot removal spells like Murderous Cut or Path to Exile can cleanly answer the threat before it starts affecting the game. For longer-term solutions, board wipes such as Damnation or Supreme Verdict can reset the state of play. Moreover, countermagic such as Negate or Cryptic Command allows players to proactively address threats by preventing the dragon from ever hitting the board.

Another way to dampen Kolaghan’s impact is by minimizing the reliance on creatures in your deck, thus negating the penalty for duplicate names in your graveyard. Instead, focus on alternate win conditions or creatureless control builds. In conclusion, while intimidating, Dragonlord Kolaghan’s presence on the battlefield can be neutralized with careful planning and the proper balance of removal, counterspells, and strategic deck building.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the dynamic world of MTG with Dragonlord Kolaghan, a card that infuses every match with fierce velocity and powerful disruption. Integrating this Elder Dragon into your repertoire offers you a tool to outpace and outsmart. For those who thrive on high-impact plays and precise strategic maneuvers, there’s much to be gleaned from including Kolaghan in your collection. Whether you’re enhancing your current deck or seeking fresh synergies, our analysis offers insights to further sharpen your competitive edge. Join us as we dissect the nuances and tactics that can turn your gameplay into a dominating force. Let’s unlock the full potential of your MTG experience together.


Cards like Dragonlord Kolaghan

Dragonlord Kolaghan takes to the skies in Magic: The Gathering as a formidable force among dragon creatures. Its swift impact on the battlefield can be likened to cards like Thundermaw Hellkite, which also offers haste to strike opponents quickly. However, Dragonlord Kolaghan boasts a unique ability to penalize opponents for playing creatures with the same name as those in their graveyard, a strategic edge in both casual and competitive play.

Another dragon of note is Stormbreath Dragon, offering protection from white and potentially massive damage through its monstrosity ability. While both dragons share the haste attribute, Kolaghan’s added command over the battlefield with its graveyard interaction sets it apart. Lastly, there’s Broodmate Dragon, creating additional dragon tokens upon entry. While this increases board presence, the lack of haste and graveyard control can be a trade-off in pace and reactive playstyle compared to the hasty aggression and static abilities provided by Dragonlord Kolaghan.

Analyzing these creatures side by side, Dragonlord Kolaghan stands out with its combination of speed and unique punitive mechanic, marking its spot among MTG’s legendary dragons with strategic depth and versatility on the battlefield.

Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions
Broodmate Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - Magic 2013 (M13)
Stormbreath Dragon - Theros (THS)
Broodmate Dragon - Resale Promos (PRES)

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Deepfire Elemental - Commander 2013 (C13)
Grief Tyrant - Shadowmoor (SHM)
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Vein Drinker - Commander 2017 (C17)
Deathbringer Thoctar - Commander 2013 (C13)
Defiler of Souls - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Igneous Pouncer - Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas (DDH)
Rakdos Ringleader - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
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The Big Idea - The List (Unfinity Foil Edition) (ULST)
Mary O'Kill - The List (Unfinity Foil Edition) (ULST)
Rakdos, the Showstopper - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dragonlord Kolaghan MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Dragons of Tarkir Promos, 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 Dragonlord Kolaghan and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dragonlord Kolaghan Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 2182015normalblackJaime Jones
22015-03-28Dragons of Tarkir PromosPDTK 218s2015normalblackJaime Jones
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12692015normalblackDomenico Cava

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dragonlord Kolaghan has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2015-02-25 Casting a spell face down won’t cause Dragonlord Kolaghan’s last ability to trigger. A spell with no name can’t have the same name as any other card.
2015-02-25 If an opponent casts a creature spell with delve and exiles all cards from their graveyard with the same name to help pay its cost, Dragonlord Kolaghan’s ability won’t trigger.

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