Form of the Dragon MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Key Takeaways

  1. Form of the Dragon transforms player defense, establishing a unique endgame strategy with a set life total.
  2. It reshapes the battlefield, enabling players to control combat by dealing direct damage to creatures each turn.
  3. This enchantment requires a tailored deck to maximize its potential, encouraging creative deck-building around its effect.

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, Form of the Dragon deals 5 damage to target creature or player. At the end of each turn, your life total becomes 5. Creatures without flying can't attack you.


Form of the Dragon Pros

Card Advantage: Form of the Dragon enables players to maintain a distinct advantage as it helps control the battlefield by dictating the life total and eliminating opponents’ creatures each turn. This controlled aggression can keep your hand well-stocked, putting you ahead.

Resource Acceleration: This card offers a shift from the traditional resource acceleration mechanism. Though it doesn’t directly produce additional mana, it ensures that your life points stay fixed at five, allowing you to redirect your mana sources towards other actions without fear of imminent defeat.

Instant Speed: Although it’s not an instant itself, Form of the Dragon can be dropped into play via instant-speed effects from cards like Quicken or Leyline of Anticipation. With the right setup, this allows for strategic gameplay, offering the potential for surprise attacks during opponents’ turns.


Form of the Dragon Drawbacks

Discard Requirement: Despite its powerful effects, using Form of the Dragon requires you to discard a card, which might result in resource depletion in the midst of a game.

Specific Mana Cost: The card demands a specific red mana, making its application limited to decks with this color. This might pose a challenge when you’re facing an opponent with a diverse mana pool.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven mana cost, Form of the Dragon may seem a bit steep when compared with cards that can deliver similar or more effective results at a lesser mana cost.


Reasons to Include Form of the Dragon in Your Collection

Versatility: Form of the Dragon fits seamlessly into numerous deck types, notably those that exploit alternate win conditions or thrive on damage effects. Its unique ability to set a player’s life total to 5 and deal damage every turn makes it a versatile option for many mtg strategies.

Combo Potential: This enchantment intertwines beautifully with effects amplifying damage or protecting life totals. With cards like Phyrexian Unlife or Solitary Confinement, you can formulate some incredible combos, establishing a formidable defensive and offensive position.

Meta-Relevance: In the current Meta where control and combo decks are rampant, having an alternate strategy like Form of the Dragon could provide the surprise element to outwit opponents. Its damage output can disrupt low-life combo decks, and its life setting ability can circumvent various life manipulation tactics.


Similar Cards

The card Form of the Dragon from Mtg represents an extraordinary enchantment card in the game with several noteworthy comps. One such card is Form of the Dinosaur, which again immerses the player as a creature and significantly impacts the health count but differs in combat dynamics.

Another comp is Dragon Form. Like Form of the Dragon, it drastically alters the state of the battlefield. However, Dragon Form is a one-time effect, while Form of the Dragon outlines prolonged battlefield presence. It’s these distinctions that showcase why Form of the Dragon is an exceptional card in directing your gameplay to be tactical and exciting.

Form of the Dragon also draws comparison with enchantment cards like Aggressive Mammoth, which provides unique board control with its trample feature. However, it does not offer the profound game-altering dynamics that Form of the Dragon brings to the table. Despite the challenges, it is clear Form of the Dragon stands as a unique and captivating card in Mtg, thanks to its ability to redefine gameplay aesthetics and strategies.


How to Beat Form of the Dragon

Overcoming Form of the Dragon, a powerhouse within the MTG realm, requires strategic planning. This enchantment has the captivating ability to alter a player’s life total to 5 during their upkeep, and deal damage based on that same count, earning itself a distinct reputation.

A robust challenger to this card might be Life Gain spells. They can increase your life total above five, maintaining a healthy counter to the inflicted damage. Cards that allow instant life gain such as Heroes’ Reunion or Rest for the Weary could prove beneficial.

Alternatively, blue Control decks are also effective. They focus on denying the opponent’s progress and disrupting strategies. Counterspell and Negate can be used to prevent Form of the Dragon from reaching the battlefield in the first place.

Lastly, the enchantment can be directly removed from the game using spells like Return to Nature or Disenchant. In essence, mastering the game against Form of the Dragon involves smart deck building, a good draw, and a well-executed strategy.


Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the strategic depths of Magic the Gathering is akin to a grand quest filled with challenge and excitement. Formulating the perfect strategy or refining a deck to bring your vision to life are essential parts of the MTG experience. As you venture further into this captivating realm, embrace both the triumphs and the path that leads to them. We encourage you to continue your exploration, deepen your understanding, and uncover potent cards that will ensure your duels are memorable. Are you prepared to enhance your gameplay and claim victory? Connect with us to learn more and ascend to the ranks of the esteemed MTG victors.


Cards like Form of the Dragon

The card Form of the Dragon from Mtg represents an extraordinary enchantment card in the game with several noteworthy comps. One such card is Form of the Dinosaur, which again immerses the player as a creature and significantly impacts the health count but differs in combat dynamics.

Another comp is Dragon Form. Like Form of the Dragon, it drastically alters the state of the battlefield. However, Dragon Form is a one-time effect, while Form of the Dragon outlines prolonged battlefield presence. It’s these distinctions that showcase why Form of the Dragon is an exceptional card in directing your gameplay to be tactical and exciting.

Form of the Dragon also draws comparison with enchantment cards like Aggressive Mammoth, which provides unique board control with its trample feature. However, it does not offer the profound game-altering dynamics that Form of the Dragon brings to the table. Despite the challenges, it is clear Form of the Dragon stands as a unique and captivating card in Mtg, thanks to its ability to redefine gameplay aesthetics and strategies.

Form of the Dinosaur - MTG Card versions
Aggressive Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Form of the Dinosaur - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Aggressive Mammoth - Core Set 2019 (M19)

Cards similar to Form of the Dragon by color, type and mana cost

Vicious Shadows - MTG Card versions
Vicious Shadows - Shards of Alara (ALA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Form of the Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Scourge and Ninth 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 Form of the Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Form of the Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-05-26 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-05-26ScourgeSCG 931997normalblackCarl Critchlow
22005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 1872003normalwhiteCarl Critchlow
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 187★2003normalblackCarl Critchlow
42008-08-29From the Vault: DragonsDRB 72003normalblackDaarken
52020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 512003normalblackCarl Critchlow
62020-09-26The ListPLST 9ED-1872003normalblackCarl Critchlow

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Form of the Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 If you life total was above 5 at end of turn, then you lose life to make your total 5. If it was less than 5, you gain life to bring it to 5.
2004-10-04 It sets your life total at the beginning of the end step of every player’s turn, not just your own.
2014-02-01 Unless some effect explicitly says otherwise, a creature that can’t attack you can still attack a planeswalker you control.

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