The 1994 Dragon Con promotional card featuring the Nalathni Dragon. This rare Magic: The Gathering creature offers unique gameplay mechanics for serious collectors.
Nalathni Dragon
1994 • Magic: The Gathering • Dragon Con
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Market & Price History
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$3.95 | Guide Estimate | +0.8% | ||
- $3.95
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- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- +0.8%
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30-day Price History
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Nov 5, 2026
Description
The Nalathni Dragon holds a distinct place in Magic: The Gathering history as the lead card of the 1994 Dragon Con promotional set. Released exclusively for attendees of the Atlanta comic convention, this card serves as a tangible piece of the game's early ecosystem. Collectors often seek this card for its historical significance and its status as the first numbered card in this rare promotional series. As a Rare creature, the Nalathni Dragon brings unique strategic options to the table. Its rules text combines the Flying ability with Banding, allowing it to attack in groups with other creatures. The banding mechanic permits the controller to divide combat damage among blockers, offering tactical flexibility in early Magic gameplay. Additionally, it features a powerful activated ability: for one red mana, the dragon gains +1/+0 until end of turn. However, this power comes with a steep cost; activating this ability four times in a single turn forces the player to sacrifice the creature at the beginning of the next end step. For Magic historians and set builders, the Nalathni Dragon represents a fascinating glimpse into the game's experimental design phase. The flavor text references the lore of Olesian allies fighting against Pashalik Mons's goblin hordes, grounding the card in the rich narrative world created by the developers. Michael Whelan’s artwork remains iconic among fans, capturing the essence of the dragon in a compact format. Whether you are completing a comprehensive collection of Dragon Con releases or building a vintage-themed deck, the Nalathni Dragon is a valuable addition to any Magic: The Gathering library. Its combination of mechanical complexity and promotional rarity makes it a standout piece for dedicated hobbyists.
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Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Catalog Profile
The core identity of the card within the set.
Featured Subject
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Nalathni Dragon
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
Michael Whelan
Card Stock
English
{2}{R}{R}
Creature — Dragon
1 / 1
R
Card Text
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Flying; banding (Any creatures with banding, and up to one without, can attack in a band. Bands are blocked as a group. If any creatures with banding you control are blocking or being blocked by a creature, you divide that creature's combat damage, not its controller, among any of the creatures it's being blocked by or is blocking.) {R}: This creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn. If this ability has been activated four or more times this turn, sacrifice this creature at the beginning of the next end step.
These small but intelligent Dragons and their Olesian allies held back the tide of Pashalik Mons's hordes of Goblin Raiders. *DragonCon 1994*
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nalathni Dragon card from Magic: The Gathering?
The Nalathni Dragon is a Rare creature card from the 1994 Dragon Con promotional set. It is card number 1 in the series and features unique gameplay mechanics including Flying and Banding.
How does the Banding mechanic work on this card?
Banding allows the Nalathni Dragon to attack in a band with other creatures. If it is blocking or being blocked, the controller can divide the combat damage among the creatures in the band, rather than the opposing player.
Why is the Dragon Con set significant to collectors?
The Dragon Con set was released exclusively at the 1994 Atlanta comic convention. It is highly sought after by historians and collectors for its limited distribution and status as an early promotional release in Magic's history.
Cards Named Nalathni Dragon
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