Mordant Dragon

Description

Mordant Dragon stands as a formidable presence in the red mana color identity, commanding a mana cost of three generic and two red mana symbols. As card number 152 in the 2022 Starter Commander Decks, this Rare creature offers a balanced mix of threat and control capabilities for players building their decks. The card functions as a six-mana investment, delivering a robust 5/5 power and toughness stat line that demands immediate attention from opponents. The card features the Flying keyword, allowing it to evade ground-based blockers and strike directly at players or flying creatures. Its activated ability provides tactical flexibility, enabling the controller to sacrifice one red mana to boost its power by +1 until the end of the turn. This burst of strength can secure lethal damage or trade favorably against larger threats. Furthermore, the card’s triggered ability activates whenever it deals combat damage to a player, offering a choice to deal that same amount of damage to a target creature the opponent controls. This makes Mordant Dragon an excellent tool for removing opposing permanents while advancing board position. Designed by Scott Chou, the card represents a key component of the Starter Commander Decks, a product line intended to introduce new players to the Commander format while providing engaging gameplay for veterans. The design emphasizes aggressive red strategies, leveraging direct damage and removal to control the game flow. Collectors appreciate the card for its clear mechanics and iconic dragon archetype, which remains popular in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game community. Whether used in competitive builds or casual games, Mordant Dragon delivers consistent value through its versatile abilities. The Starter Commander Decks set continues to be a favorite among collectors for its accessible entry point into the format. Mordant Dragon exemplifies this spirit with straightforward yet impactful rules text that rewards strategic decision-making. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to impact the game state significantly, making it a staple for red-based decks seeking to dominate the battlefield. ## What is the mana value of Mordant Dragon? The mana value of Mordant Dragon is 6, calculated from its total mana cost of {3}{R}{R}{R}. This makes it a mid-to-late game threat that requires careful mana management to cast effectively. ## How does Mordant Dragon's combat trigger work? Whenever Mordant Dragon deals combat damage to a player, you may choose to have it deal that same amount of damage to a target creature that player controls. This allows for efficient removal of opposing permanents.