Canopy Dragon MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 209 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alan Rabinowitz |
Key Takeaways
- Canopy Dragon’s trample ability can often lead to favorable board states and indirect card advantage.
- When included in a deck, its demand for specific resources can constrain multicolor strategies.
- Despite a higher mana cost, its unique abilities add flexibility and combo potential to green decks.
Text of card
Trample o1oo G Flying and loses trample until end of turn
"In the Mwonvuli you must divide your attention between what hangs overhead and what lies underfoot." —Sidar Jabari
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Canopy Dragon itself does not directly allow you to draw cards, its Trample ability ensures that it can often deal damage to an opponent, even when blocked, potentially leaving you in a favorable board state that can lead to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: The Canopy Dragon may not directly accelerate your resources, but its presence on the battlefield could lead to resource advantage by demanding multiple resources from your opponent to handle it, thus indirectly benefiting your mana utilization.
Instant Speed: As a creature, Canopy Dragon doesn’t have instant speed; however, its formidable presence can influence instant-speed decisions your opponent makes – they may need to hold back instant-speed removal, which could provide you with a more predictable environment to operate within.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the downsides to Canopy Dragon comes when you’re trying to streamline your hand. Unlike other creatures that can be cast without any additional setbacks, Canopy Dragon does not require you to discard a card, thus providing no disadvantage in this aspect.
Specific Mana Cost: Canopy Dragon necessitates a specific blend of mana to get onto the battlefield. With a casting cost that includes two green mana symbols, this dragon calls for a deck with a strong green mana base, which could be restrictive for multicolor deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana cost that reaches six, Canopy Dragon is on the pricier end of the creature spectrum. Considering the power and toughness are matched at 4/4, there are more mana-efficient creatures available that could offer similar or greater board presence for less investment.
Reasons to Include Canopy Dragon in Your Collection
Versatility: Canopy Dragon is a flexible addition to green decks with its trample ability, allowing it to bypass chump blockers and press damage through defences. Whether your deck focuses on aggression or midrange value plays, Canopy Dragon adjusts to multiple strategies inherent in green’s slice of the color pie.
Combo Potential: Given its ability to untap all forests once per turn, Canopy Dragon holds a combo potential in decks where land untapping can lead to explosive plays. With the right mix of cards, this ability not only ramps you significantly but can also be used to synergize with cards that benefit from land activations.
Meta-Relevance: While not a staple in every meta, Canopy Dragon’s six mana for a 4/4 flying trample can match up well in certain environments, especially where larger creatures rule the battlefield. It finds its niche in casual play where the ability to untap lands can provide a surprise boost of resources at a critical moment.
How to beat
The Canopy Dragon from Magic: The Gathering reigns as a force among flying creatures, sporting trample as a unique trait. This green card demonstrates the value of aerial superiority combined with the ability to deal excess combat damage to a player’s life total. To tackle this winged behemoth, one must think strategically both in deck construction and in the midst of battle.
Control decks with a wealth of removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can keep a Canopy Dragon at bay. It’s crucial to manage your resources and time your spells precisely to prevent it from taking flight. Ensnaring the dragon with enchantments like Pacifism or using counterspells such as Counterspell to deny its summoning are also effective measures. Alternatively, flying blockers such as Serra Angel can provide a line of defense, although one should be prepared for the trample damage that may still get through. Board wipes like Wrath of God remain an undeniable solution to clear the field of this formidable drake.
Understanding the balance of power and having the right answers prepared are key. Through thoughtful planning and timely reactions, even a dragon that dominates the canopy can be brought down to earth, ensuring your continued survival in the challenging world of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards like Canopy Dragon
The Canopy Dragon stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature with its traversal ability, allowing it to be declared as an attacker where one is unable to block. This mirrors the capabilities of Thicket Basilisk, which also holds dominion over smaller creatures by mustering a lethal effect. While the Basilisk controls the ground, the Canopy Dragon commands the skies, offering a tactical advantage in aerial combat.
Comparatively, Skyshroud War Beast presents a contrasting aspect of adaptability, adjusting its power and toughness in alignment with the number of nonbasic lands an opponent controls. Although not as straightforwardly potent as Canopy Dragon’s consistent 4/4 stats, the War Beast can be exponentially more threatening in the right deck environment. Yet, Canopy Dragon’s evasion could be seen as more valuable than fluctuating power levels in many board states.
In conclusion, while there are other creatures that share some similarities with the Canopy Dragon, its blend of reliable power and tactical evasion makes it a noteworthy card for players who favor green creatures and aerial strategies in their MTG decks.
Cards similar to Canopy Dragon by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Canopy Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Canopy Dragon 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Canopy Dragon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
