Dakmor Scorpion MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Scorpion
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Acts as a graveyard enabler, indirectly generating card advantage in self-mill or reanimation tactics.
  2. Enables resource acceleration when synergized with creature death or graveyard-based effects.
  3. Though lacking instant capabilities, it complements instant-speed gameplay in MTG combos.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Dakmor Scorpion may not offer direct card draw, its high utility as a graveyard enabler in decks revolving around self-mill or reanimation strategies can lead to indirect card advantage. Its presence can effectively increase the resources available to you from your graveyard, acting as a card advantage engine in the right deck build.

Resource Acceleration: While Dakmor Scorpion itself doesn’t generate traditional mana acceleration, it can synergize with effects that care about creature deaths or entering the graveyard, such as those found on cards like Pitiless Plunderer or Meren of Clan Nel Toth. This interaction can lead to resource acceleration by providing you with additional means to further your game plan, especially in MTG strategies centered around sacrificial mechanics.

Instant Speed: The Dakmor Scorpion card is not an instant; however, it interacts beneficially with instant-speed gameplay. For instance, it can be a surprise blocker when reanimated during an opponent’s turn or used as an instant sacrifice trigger for an effect, thereby incorporating the scorpion into instant-speed strategies that exist within the MTG metagame.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some creatures that offer a benefit when discarded or reaching the graveyard, Dakmor Scorpion doesn’t provide any bonus in such situations. This lack of synergy can be a missed opportunity in decks that capitalize on discard strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Dakmor Scorpion’s casting cost requires black mana, which confines it to mono-black or multicolor decks with a black mana base. This can reduce the flexibility and adaptability of your deck, particularly if you’re dealing with mana shortages.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a converted mana cost of three for a 2/2 creature, Dakmor Scorpion’s stats and lack of abilities may not justify its mana cost, especially when compared to other creatures in its mana range that could provide additional utility or have better stats.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dakmor Scorpion, with its straightforward mana cost and solid black creature type, slips easily into decks focusing on themes from graveyard interaction to creature-based strategies. Its presence is a boon for decks that thrive on having creatures readily available either for sacrifice or for synergizing with various abilities in the game.

Combo Potential: This scorpion plays a subtle, yet critical role in combo chains particularly popular in black-centered decks. Its ability to be reanimated or sacrificed for value enables players to execute intricate plays, making it a low-cost lynchpin in more complex board setups.

Meta-Relevance: Given that the black color pie often includes recurring creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, Dakmor Scorpion serves as an affordable option to maintain board presence or to use as fodder for larger, game-changing spells. Its relevance fluctuates with the meta, but in certain environments, it can be an unexpected asset against decks that lack graveyard interaction.


How to beat

Dakmor Scorpion is a baseline creature known in the Magic the Gathering realm for its simple yet effective presence on the battlefield. The key to overcoming this card lies in its stats; as a 2/1 creature, it can be effortlessly dealt with through various methods. Utilizing cards that can deal at least one damage, such as Shock or Dead Weight, can dispatch Dakmor Scorpion without much hassle. A savvy tactic is to capitalize on its low toughness—any light removal spell or even a creature with moderate power should be able to tackle it.

Focusing on this scorpion’s vulnerability to removal spells and keeping your creatures on the board could swing the game in your favor. There’s also the option of using more strategic moves like employing creatures with deathtouch to block it, ensuring that your opponent’s forces are diminished without significant losses to your side of the field. Some also prefer to redirect their attention towards more significant threats, allowing Dakmor Scorpion to exist on the board temporarily while they deal with more pressing issues.

By analyzing your playing field and resource availability, strategizing around Dakmor Scorpion can be straightforward. It might not be the most formidable opponent you face, but understanding how to efficiently counter such creatures can pave the way for mastering finer aspects of Magic the Gathering.


Cards like Dakmor Scorpion

Dakmor Scorpion serves as a robust staple in any graveyard-centric deck within Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship with other two-cost creatures such as Black Cat is noteworthy, with both creatures boasting a standing as reliable utility creatures. Yet, the scorpion’s sheer simplicity provides it an edge. With no frills attached, the creature’s true strength lies in its potential to seamlessly integrate into reanimator or delirium strategies.

Exploring resemblances further, Drudge Skeletons also emerges as a comparison point. It too bears a regeneration ability, offering a persistent board presence. Nonetheless, while Dakmor Scorpion lacks this regeneration, its greater power lends it an advantage in the aggressive early game. Augur of Skulls is another creature with similar mana cost that can fit into the same deck archetype. However, Dakmor Scorpion’s absence of activation requirements makes it a more straightforward choice for combat purposes.

All things considered, while there are various creatures that overlap in function and strategy, Dakmor Scorpion’s uncomplicated nature makes it particularly fitting for decks that benefit from a straightforward, aggressive approach, complemented by strategies emphasizing the graveyard.

Black Cat - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Augur of Skulls - MTG Card versions
Black Cat - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Drudge Skeletons - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Augur of Skulls - Future Sight (FUT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dakmor Scorpion MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Starter 1999, 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 Dakmor Scorpion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dakmor Scorpion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 1999-07-01. Illustrated by Randy Gallegos.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-24Portal Second AgeP02 701997normalblackRandy Gallegos
21999-07-01Starter 1999S99 731997normalwhiteRandy Gallegos

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dakmor Scorpion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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