Tower Drake MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 82
2012-10-05 - Number 55
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Drake |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Tower Drake enhances aerial strategies, adding offense and defense versatility in MTG deck configurations.
- It can adapt to in-game conditions with mana-based power and toughness adjustments, offering unique tactical plays.
- Despite its strengths, pinpoint removal or control spells are effective strategies against Tower Drake’s resilience.
Text of card
Flying oo W Tower Drake gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
Young tower drakes quickly learn to maneuver among Benalia's many spires.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tower Drake can be a useful addition to your aerial forces in-game, providing consistency in your deck’s performance. The ability to potentially draw a card when it enters the battlefield can put you a step ahead of opponents, allowing you to maintain a good hand size as the match progresses.
Resource Acceleration: While Tower Drake itself does not provide direct mana acceleration, its moderate mana cost means that it can be played without hindering your ability to cast other spells. This balance helps in managing your resources effectively, ensuring your game plan isn’t slowed down.
Instant Speed: Tower Drake’s ability to block creatures with flying can be utilized at instant speed thanks to abilities or cards that allow you to flash it onto the battlefield. This characteristic can turn it into a surprise defender, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy during their assault.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tower Drake does not require any discard to play, but it could be subject to discard effects from others, which limits its longevity on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Tower Drake asks for a specific blue mana in its casting cost, which potentially hinders its inclusion in multicolored decks that are not heavy on blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one blue, Tower Drake’s stat line of 2/1 may not be as cost-efficient compared to other flyers in the same mana range.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tower Drake offers a unique flexibility on the battlefield, capable of slotting into various decks, particularly those that rely on a strong flying presence or aim to utilize blue and white mana synergies.
Combo Potential: With its ability to gain toughness through the investment of white mana, Tower Drake pairs well with cards that capitalize on high-toughness creatures or those that benefit from repeated mana use.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that’s heavy on flyers or where air superiority can tip the scales, Tower Drake can serve as an affordable defender or evasive attacker, making it a practical choice against a range of opponents.
How to Beat Tower Drake
Tower Drake stands out in MTG due to its aerial prowess and the ability to boost its toughness. This blue-aligned creature may seem daunting at first, especially with its flying ability making it unblockable by mere ground troops. Its strength lies in its resilience on the battlefield, where you can invest mana to fortify its defenses, making it an irritating obstacle for those who lack airborne attackers.
To overcome Tower Drake, one effective strategy is to utilize spells that can either deal with flying creatures directly or remove them irrespective of their position. For instance, removal spells like Doom Blade for black-aligned decks or fiery spells like Lightning Bolt for red-aligned enthusiasts can take down the Drake without much fuss. Alternatively, tapping into white’s enchantments such as Pacifism can hinder the Drake, nullifying its offensive threat while on board.
Moreover, control decks excel in managing creatures like Tower Drake by countering them before they ever touch the field. Counterspell absolutely denies entrance, ensuring that you maintain aerial supremacy. Overall, with the right tactics and spell choices, the seemingly formidable Tower Drake can become a non-issue for a well-prepared MTG deck builder and strategist.
Cards like Tower Drake
Tower Drake is an interesting creature within the array of Magic: The Gathering flyers. Its ability to adjust power and toughness by pumping mana sets it apart from its counterparts. When you look at cards like Sunspire Griffin, both creatures glide through with flying, yet the Griffin stands firm with consistent power and toughness without the need for extra mana. This offers a reliable blocker, but lacks the flexibility Tower Drake possesses.
Comparatively, Azure Drake brings something different to the table with a steadfast power of 2. While it doesn’t boast the adjustable stats of Tower Drake, what it lacks in versatility, it compensates with its four toughness, providing a sturdy barrier from the outset. Moreover, Air Elemental is a force to be reckoned with, entering the battlefield with a commanding presence of a 4/4 flyer. Unlike Tower Drake, it doesn’t offer the mana-based power and toughness modification, but its raw strength alone makes it a formidable player in any airborne strategy.
Each card has its unique positioning, but Tower Drake shines with its potential for sudden power shifts, offering MTG players an adaptable weapon in the skies.
Cards similar to Tower Drake by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tower Drake MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Return to Ravnica, 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 Tower Drake and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Tower Drake Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2012-10-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-10-02 | Invasion | INV | 82 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 2 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ryan Barger |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tower Drake has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
