Dragon Tyrant MTG Card


Dragon Tyrant - Scourge
Mana cost
Converted mana cost10
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Double strike,Flying,Trample
Released2003-05-26
Set symbol
Set nameScourge
Set codeSCG
Power 6
Toughness 6
Number88
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKev Walker

Key Takeaways

  1. Dragon Tyrant requires a tactical playstyle due to its potential to be a high-impact card in your deck.
  2. Its mana-intensive nature and specific color requirement influence deck design and mana base decisions.
  3. While challenging to cast, its versatility and combo potential can lead to dramatic game finishes.

Text of card

Flying, trample Double strike (This creature deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.) At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice Dragon Tyrant unless you pay . : Dragon Tyrant gets +1/+0 until end of turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Dragon Tyrant itself does not draw cards, its sheer power often forces opponents to expend multiple resources just to deal with it. This can indirectly lead to gaining card advantage as your opponent is typically required to use more than one card to handle the threat.

Resource Acceleration: Dragon Tyrant can be a significant threat when you have the resources to accelerate its casting. Decks that can quickly ramp mana can exploit this card’s devastating potential sooner than expected, often taking opponents by surprise.

Instant Speed: Though Dragon Tyrant is not an instant-speed spell, it boasts a Firebreathing ability that can be used at instant speed. This allows you to pump its power at the most opportune times during combat or in response to spells, making it a flexible and fearsome combatant.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Dragon Tyrant demands a tribute of cards from your hand, which could leave you at a strategic disadvantage. If your hand is already depleted from commanding this mighty creature, you may find yourself vulnerable to your opponent’s moves without adequate defenses or options for counterplay.

Specific Mana Cost: This formidable dragon requires a precise blend of mana, heavily reliant on red. This means it meshes best with mono-red or certain two-color decks, potentially limiting its versatility across the vast array of MTG deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting this titanic flyer requires a significant mana investment, a total of six red mana in its price tag. While it’s undoubtedly a powerhouse once airborne, there are other creatures and spells that can provide impactful board presence or game-ending potential at a lesser mana commitment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dragon Tyrant is not just a powerful finisher but also flexible enough to slide into multiple strategies, particularly in Commander and Dragon-themed decks. With its flying and trample abilities, it can be a threat in the skies as well as a formidable force against grounded defenses.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with effects that double damage or those that synergize with its fire-breathing ability. Its potential to one-shot opponents makes it a fearsome inclusion in any high-powered arsenal.

Meta-Relevance: In gaming environments where dragons are a viable archetype or where games tend to extend to the later turns allowing for big mana plays, the Dragon Tyrant holds its ground as a top-tier threat. Its instant impact on the board can swing games and its power level remains consistently high against various metagame strategies.


How to beat

Confronting a Dragon Tyrant on the battlefield can be an imposing challenge for many players. This creature embodies raw power with its flying and trample abilities, not to mention a formidable attack boost if you have enough red mana at your disposal. To overcome this behemoth, strategic play is key. Effective removal spells are your best ally; consider using cards with exile effects or spells that can bypass its flying ability. Board wipes are equally potent, clearing the field of the Dragon Tyrant before its fiery breath can scorch your life total. Additionally, enchantments that can pacify or incapacitate can neutralize this flying terror, allowing you to assert your control over the game. Remember, the right timing and combination of spells can turn the tide against even the mightiest of dragons.


Cards like Dragon Tyrant

In the high-flying realm of powerful creatures within Magic the Gathering, Dragon Tyrant stands out for its formidable presence. Much like its cousin, Dragonlord Atarka, the Dragon Tyrant delivers a substantial impact upon arrival. Both fly and boast a significant attack power, but Dragon Tyrant demands a tribute of two red mana for its fire breathing ability, which augments its damage potential considerably.

Another peer in this skyward echelon is Bogardan Hellkite. Although it shares the dragon creature type and the ability to fly, the hellkite offers an immediate effect by dealing damage upon entering the battlefield, distinguishing it from the aggressive but more straightforward attack approach of Dragon Tyrant. Additionally, the Tyrant’s double-strike feature is a unique trait that sets it apart, doubling its already impressive offensive threat.

Assessing Dragon Tyrant in conjunction with its draconic counterparts, it’s clear that this card embodies raw power and a potential for game-ending assaults. Its steep mana cost is justified by the immense pressure it can exert in the late game, carving a niche for itself among Magic the Gathering’s iconic dragons. Its unique blend of agility, strength, and the ability to swiftly decimate life totals secures its place in the pantheon of high-cost, high-impact creatures.

Dragonlord Atarka - MTG Card versions
Bogardan Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord Atarka - MTG Card versions
Bogardan Hellkite - MTG Card versions

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

Myojin of Infinite Rage - MTG Card versions
Greater Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Infinite Rage - MTG Card versions
Greater Gargadon - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dragon Tyrant MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Dragon Tyrant and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dragon Tyrant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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