Thunderbreak Regent MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Thunderbreak Regent indirectly aids in card advantage by deterring targeted removal against your dragons.
  2. Its efficient cost for a 4/4 flyer makes it an early game threat that can lead to bigger plays.
  3. Inclusive in dragon-centric decks, its damage-dealing ability makes it a meta-relevant choice for players.

Text of card

Flying Whenever a Dragon you control becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, Thunderbreak Regent deals 3 damage to that player.

Attracting a dragon's attention may be the last mistake you make.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thunderbreak Regent doesn’t directly let you draw cards, but it serves as a deterring presence. Opponents must think twice before targeting it or other dragons, potentially preserving your on-board assets and indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While Thunderbreak Regent isn’t a source of resource acceleration, its relatively low mana cost for a flying 4/4 creature ensures that you’re establishing a solid presence early in the game, setting the stage for bigger plays to follow.

Instant Speed: Thunderbreak Regent itself doesn’t have an ability that operates at instant speed, but it excels at supporting instant-speed plays. It forces opponents to consider the additional two damage they’ll take if they attempt to remove your creatures at an inopportune time, potentially leaving them vulnerable to your instant-speed responses.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Thunderbreak Regent doesn’t have an intrinsic discard requirement, it can put you in a tough spot against discard-heavy strategies. If you’re facing an opponent that forces you to discard, you may have to choose between keeping this dragon or other critical cards in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Thunderbreak Regent requires a specific mana combination, which includes two red mana. This requirement can be restrictive for multicolored decks and may not synergize well with strategies that lack a strong red mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two that must be red, Thunderbreak Regent can be considered a card with a high mana cost, especially when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. This can be a downside in fast-paced formats where lower-cost creatures can dominate the battlefield more quickly.


Reasons to Include Thunderbreak Regent in Your Collection

Versatility: Thunderbreak Regent’s ability to slot into a variety of dragon-heavy or midrange red decks makes it a valuable addition to any collection. Its presence on the battlefield poses a real threat in a broad range of matchups.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes exceptionally well with strategies that revolve around dragons, benefiting from effects that trigger whenever a dragon attacks or a player casts a dragon spell, strengthening your offensive line significantly.

Meta-Relevance: With direct damage and creature removal prevalent in many competitive formats, Thunderbreak Regent’s passive ability to deal damage whenever it or another dragon under your control becomes a target addresses and adapts to these common threats, giving it a consistent edge.


How to Beat Thunderbreak Regent

Confronting a Thunderbreak Regent on the battlefield requires strategy, as this card can be a formidable opponent. The key to outmaneuvering this dragon lies in avoiding the damage triggered by targeting it with spells or abilities. Board wipes that don’t target, like Wrath of God or Damnation, are effective since they bypass the Regent’s lightning reflexes. Additionally, using sacrifice effects where your opponent has to choose to sacrifice a creature, such as Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil’s ability, can circumvent the Regent’s protection.

Another approach is to handle the Regent directly with creatures that can outclass it in battle. Creatures with protection from red, such as Auriok Champion or Knight of Grace, can be invaluable, as they can block and remove Thunderbreak Regent without taking damage in return. Engaging a Thunderbreak Regent on the field is not always straightforward, but with the right mix of non-target removal spells and superior creatures, it’s possible to clear the skies and swing the game in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the strategy and synergy that cards like Thunderbreak Regent bring to your MTG arsenal. From its potential to deter opponents from targeting your dragons to becoming a robust part of your red or dragon-themed deck, this card can give you a vital edge. Whether you’re aiming to reinforce your midrange deck or tailor your collection to tackle the meta, Thunderbreak Regent stands as a testament to strategic depth and versatility. If you’re keen on optimizing your gameplay and expanding your MTG knowledge, we welcome you to journey with us further. Learn more about building a formidable deck and staying ahead in the game.


Cards like Thunderbreak Regent

Thunderbreak Regent stands out in the pantheon of dragon cards in MTG with its unique blend of abilities and cost effectiveness. Dance with Dragons, a notable dragon card, also provides a formidable flying threat but lacks the direct damage element that Thunderbreak Regent possesses, which is key for deterring opponents’ targeted spells. Additionally, when it comes to mana value, Thunderbreak Regent offers an accessible casting cost that is beneficial for players seeking an early game aerial advantage.

Comparing it to Stormbreath Dragon, another dragon powerhouse, Thunderbreak Regent doesn’t boast the protection from white or the monstrous ability that can deal damage to the opponent based on the number of cards in their hand. Thunderbreak Regent instead places emphasis on a static, defensive role, punishing opponents on a consistent basis. Then there’s Lathliss, Dragon Queen, who ramps up the dragon synergy by creating additional dragon tokens, amplifying the tribal strategy but at a higher casting cost than Thunderbreak Regent.

Ultimately, Thunderbreak Regent’s ability to efficiently impact the board with its deterrent effect and the balance it strikes between cost and power makes it a compelling choice among red dragon cards in MTG.

Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - MTG Card versions
Stormbreath Dragon - Theros (THS)
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - Resale Promos (PRES)

Cards similar to Thunderbreak Regent by color, type and mana cost

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Keldon Warlord - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Reckless Embermage - Mirage (MIR)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thunderbreak Regent MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Thunderbreak Regent and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thunderbreak Regent Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 558922015normalblackJason Rainville
22015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 1622015normalblackRyan Pancoast
32015-03-28Dragons of Tarkir PromosPDTK 162s2015normalblackRyan Pancoast
42015-03-28Dragons of Tarkir PromosPDTK 1622015normalblackJason Rainville
52021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1472015normalblackRyan Pancoast
62021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 5272015normalblackRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thunderbreak Regent has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thunderbreak Regent 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 Thunderbreak Regent's ability will resolve before the spell or ability that caused it to trigger.

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