Dream Fighter MTG Card


Dream Fighter - Mirage
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Released1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set nameMirage
Set codeMIR
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number63
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDrew Tucker

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates card advantage by replacing itself, enabling strategic hand management and consistent play options.
  2. Can alter game tempo by accelerating resource access, giving an edge in playing high-impact spells sooner.
  3. Offers tactical adaptability with instant speed, allowing players to respond deftly to changing board states.

Text of card

Whenever Dream Fighter blocks or is blocked by a creature, Dream Fighter and that creature phase out.

Not only the sleeping should fear dreams.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dream Fighter presents a dual benefit that can shift the balance of a game. Initially, when played, it helps a player maintain a strong hand by replacing itself with another card. Over time, this ensures continuous options for maneuvering through the challenges posed by an opponent and can subtly tip the scales in favor of the player who can leverage this advantage best.

Resource Acceleration: With its secondary ability, Dream Fighter accelerates a player’s resources significantly. By enabling access to alternate cost options or powering out high-impact spells ahead of the expected curve, it provides a strategic edge. This acceleration can quickly change the game state, allowing for a powerful board presence or the unlocking of combo potentials earlier than opponents may be prepared for.

Instant Speed: The flexibility offered by Dream Fighter’s instant speed cannot be overstated. This trait allows a player to adapt swiftly to evolving board states, making tactical decisions in real-time. Preserving mana for Dream Fighter until the perfect moment – whether that’s disrupting an opponent’s strategy or simply at the end of their turn – showcases the strategic depth and surprise factor this card can offer.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dream Fighter asks players to let go of a card from hand, presenting a challenge when your hand size is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s casting requirements are fixed, necessitating both generic and colored mana, which might not always align with the mana base of a multi-colored deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Dream Fighter comes with a notable mana investment. Considering the other options available, some players might find it less mana-efficient relative to its in-game impact.


Reasons to Include Dream Fighter in Your Collection

Versatility: Dream Fighter is a card that can seamlessly adapt to various deck themes. Its ability to bounce creatures can be a strategic game-changer in both aggressive and controlling environments. Its flexibility in usage makes it a valuable inclusion for several playstyles.

Combo Potential: The unique bounce mechanic of Dream Fighter enhances its synergy with enter-the-battlefield effects or cards that benefit from being cast multiple times. This offers numerous combo possibilities for maximizing in-game advantages and enabling powerful interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given its aptitude for disrupting opponent strategies, Dream Fighter becomes an asset in a metagame filled with creature-heavy decks. It can serve as an answer to combat-focused opponents while maintaining board presence, making it a relevant choice in many competitive scenarios.


How to beat

Dream Fighter, a unique component of the plane-stretching battles of Magic: The Gathering, requires a discerning strategy to navigate. Its power to phase out and avoid damage can stump even seasoned players. To effectively trump Dream Fighter, it’s essential to focus on cards that prevent phasing or control the opponent’s actions, rather than attempting to damage or destroy it in combat.

Consider employing spells that limit the opponent’s untapping abilities or those that impose conditions for tapping, rendering Dream Fighter’s evasion technique obsolete. Counterspells are also potent tools, allowing you to disrupt your opponent’s plans and take command of the playing field. In essence, to triumph over Dream Fighter, it’s advisable to rely on strategy and foresight rather than brute strength.


Cards like Dream Fighter

Dream Fighter is a unique creature card that finds its niche in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Sharing a kinship with Mistmeadow Witch, both cards grant the ability to flicker creatures out of harm’s way or strategically reset enter-the-battlefield effects. Where Dream Fighter diverges is in its combat-centric trigger, a stark contrast to the Witch’s mana-activated ability, making it a more passive option during matches.

Analyzing other resemblances brings Kronozoa to the forefront, a card whose duplicating ability activates upon death, reflecting the multiplicative potential of Dream Fighter when blocking. However, Dream Fighter isn’t merely about replication but also tactical battlefield control. Other creature cards such as Deadeye Navigator also offer flickering capabilities but require soulbond and mana investment, whereas Dream Fighter’s agility comes built-in with its potential to block multiple creatures in a single combat.

Considering the tactical versatility and combat acumen, Dream Fighter stands out among flickering creatures. It provides players the flexibility to outmaneuver opponents during combat, making it a valuable combatant and tool for those players crafting strategic decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Mistmeadow Witch - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Mistmeadow Witch - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Deadeye Navigator - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Cards similar to Dream Fighter by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Blind Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Apprentice Wizard - The Dark (DRK)
Homarid - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Daring Apprentice - Mirage (MIR)
Time Elemental - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
Stronghold Biologist - Nemesis (NEM)
Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Wall of Air - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phantom Warrior - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Wormfang Drake - Judgment (JUD)
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - Commander Legends (CMR)
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mistform Warchief - Scourge (SCG)
Blind Phantasm - Future Sight (FUT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dream Fighter 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 Dream Fighter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dream Fighter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dream Fighter 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 Dream Fighter affects all creatures that end up blocking it, including ones that are members of bands.
2004-10-04 If Dream Fighter is assigned to block a creature with Flanking, the Flanking ability and the Dream Fighter ability both trigger. The active player’s Flanking effect is put on the stack first and resolves after the Dream Fighter’s phasing out effect happen, so the Flanking does nothing.

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