Gilded Drake MTG Card


Gilded Drake excels in trading, gaining you valuable creatures while disrupting opponents. Its synergy with flicker effects can lead to powerful and game-winning combos. Strategize with instant removal or sacrifice outlets to effectively counter its threat.
Gilded Drake - Urza's Saga
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Drake
Abilities Flying
Released1998-10-12
Set symbol
Set nameUrza's Saga
Set codeUSG
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number76
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byBob Eggleton

Text of card

Flying When Gilded Drake comes into play, exchange control of Gilded Drake for target creature one of your opponents controls or sacrifice Gilded Drake.

Buyer beware.


Cards like Gilded Drake

Gilded Drake stands out as a distinctive blue creature card, known for its unique exchange ability. One might draw parallels to Confiscate, a blue enchantment that also seizes control of target permanents. However, Gilded Drake’s ability is executed at a creature’s speed, while Confiscate functions at sorcery speed. Both achieve control over opponents’ valuable resources but Gilded Drake’s lower casting cost and the instant nature of the effect provides a strategic advantage.

Another card that echoes the theft motif is Control Magic, a classic enchantment enabling the control over creatures on the battlefield. Though Control Magic offers a similar control dynamic, Gilded Drake’s one-time use trade-off gives it a lighter mana investment, making it a more tactical option earlier in the game. Conversely, Sower of Temptation is a creature that captures another creature upon entering the battlefield, paralleling Gilded Drake’s immediate impact. Unlike Gilded Drake, Sower’s effect relies on her presence on the battlefield, making it vulnerable to removal and thus less reliable.

With these comparisons, Gilded Drake excels in efficiently altering the board state amidst other creature control options, reinforcing its demand and strategic value in the game of Magic: The Gathering.

Confiscate - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Confiscate - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions

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Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Gilded Drake. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
WUBWUB LegacyLegacy Challenge 32 2023-12-23
Esper ControlEsper Control LegacyEsper Control97 / The 97th Legacy at Home
Esper VialEsper Vial Legacy1 LPL OPEN - SEASON V - Liga Paulista Legacy
Madness SurvivalMadness Survival PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Dimir ControlDimir Control LegacyEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Legacy Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Gilded Drake enters the battlefield, its unique exchange ability allows you to gain control of a high-value creature from your opponent, setting you ahead by effectively removing an opponent’s threat and enhancing your board presence with a single card.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Drake does not directly produce mana or tokens, the creature it swaps with could contribute to your mana base or provide abilities that accelerate your resources. It is a strategic asset in any deck that aims to manipulate resources for an advantage.

Instant Speed: While Gilded Drake itself is not an instant, it operates at the speed of a sorcery, its effect is often as impactful as an instant. It disrupts your opponent’s strategy during your turn without warning, potentially during crucial moments of the game which can be similar to an instant speed interaction in terms of game momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating Gilded Drake’s exchange ability might force you to give up one of your valuable creatures, a trade that can work against you if not timed well or if the opponent has a way to nullify the trade.

Specific Mana Cost: Gilded Drake’s casting cost requires two blue mana, which demands a dedicated source of blue mana in your deck. This could limit the card’s functionality in multicolored decks that struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two-mana for a 3/3 flyer can be efficient, the necessity to trade it with an opponent’s creature can be seen as a high cost, especially if your opponent controls no creatures of equivalent or greater value.


Reasons to Include Gilded Drake in Your Collection

Versatility: Gilded Drake brings adaptability to numerous deck archetypes due to its unique exchange ability. It’s a flexible tool effective in both Commander and competitive formats, capable of disrupting opponents’ key plays.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with an array of bounce or flicker effects allowing for repeated use of its exchange ability. The result is tremendous combo potential, opening up lines of play that can lock opponents out or achieve quick game-winning conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with powerhouse creatures, Gilded Drake becomes an essential inclusion. It can drastically tilt the battlefield in your favor by taking control of the most threatening creatures your opponents cast, effectively turning their strength into yours.


How to beat

Gilded Drake is an iconic card in Magic: The Gathering, renowned for its unique ability to exchange control of itself with another target creature. This swap can drastically shift the tide of a game, making it a formidable card to face. Beating this strategic play requires careful planning and a good understanding of your deck’s resources.

To counter the advantage Gilded Drake provides, consider including instant-speed removal in your deck to dispatch the drake before the exchange effect resolves. Cards such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile offer efficient means of removal. Alternatively, having creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects that provide value to you, even if the creature is exchanged, can mitigate the loss. This ensures that even if Gilded Drake takes one of your creatures, you’re still gaining an advantage. Lastly, playing with sacrifice outlets allows you to choose to sacrifice your creature in response to the Gilded Drake’s exchange ability, preventing your opponent from gaining control of a valuable creature.

Devising strategies around these concepts can enhance your gameplay against Gilded Drake. With the right cards and tactics, overcoming this challenge becomes a test of ingenuity and deck-building skill.


BurnMana Recommendations

The transformative power of Gilded Drake can revamp your game strategy, turning tides in your favor by acquiring pivotal creatures from your opponent. A smart inclusion in blue-based decks, this card demands sagacious deployment to exploit its full potential. Gearing up for a challenge against this treacherous Drake requires a blend of prompt counteractions and strategic forethought. Staying one step ahead in MTG is all about adjusting and evolving your tactics. If you relish strategic depth and game-changing interactions, integrating Gilded Drake into your arsenal could be your next adept move. Uncover more insights and fortify your gameplay by joining us for an in-depth exploration of MTG’s dynamic battleground.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gilded Drake MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga, 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 Gilded Drake and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gilded Drake has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gilded Drake card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 If the chosen creature to exchange is not on the battlefield at resolution, then sacrifice this card.
2004-10-04 This ability is targeted, so Protection can prevent targeting if it exists when the ability would be put on the stack. Once the ability is on the stack, adding Protection will not counter the ability but the exchange will not take place since the target is illegal and you sacrifice this card on resolution.