Noxious Dragon MTG Card


Noxious Dragon paves the way for card advantage by removing an opponent’s creature upon its demise. Though restrictive in mana needs, it accelerates game plans, forcing opponents to act inefficiently. Its flying capability and death-triggered removal offer a compelling tactical advantage in many metas.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying When Noxious Dragon dies, you may destroy target creature with converted mana cost 3 or less.

Dragons of Silumgar's brood begin to digest their prey even before consuming it, letting their caustic breath do much of the work.


Cards like Noxious Dragon

Noxious Dragon is an intriguing creature within Magic: The Gathering’s broad catalogue of flying monsters. It’s often compared to other dragon kin, such as Broodmate Dragon, which not only brings a power-packed flying presence but also adds a second dragon token to your battlefield. However, Noxious Dragon’s ability to destroy a target creature with converted mana cost 3 or less upon its death sets it apart. Meanwhile, Broodmate Dragon has no such death-triggered abilities.

Another parallel can be drawn with the likes of Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon – a feared card amongst players for its infect ability and potential for quick victories. While Skithiryx comes with a higher price, both mana, and financially, it doesn’t offer the board control that comes with Noxious Dragon’s creature removal ability. Furthermore, Noxious Dragon can be an asset in slower decks aiming for long-term board presence and strategic creature elimination.

By comparing Noxious Dragon to its draconic peers, it’s clear that it holds a special niche. Its blend of aerial threat and tactical removal upon defeat offers a versatile advantage that can be crucial in the right deck, distinguishing itself in the pantheon of MTG dragons.

Broodmate Dragon - MTG Card versions
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon - MTG Card versions
Broodmate Dragon - MTG Card versions
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon - MTG Card versions

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Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Ihsan's Shade - MTG Card versions
Necrosavant - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Lancer - MTG Card versions
Face of Fear - MTG Card versions
Wire Surgeons - MTG Card versions
Grave Titan - MTG Card versions
Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions
Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions
Anurid Murkdiver - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Polluter - MTG Card versions
Nefashu - MTG Card versions
Twisted Abomination - MTG Card versions
Iname, Death Aspect - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth Demon - MTG Card versions
Ascendant Evincar - MTG Card versions
Bog Hoodlums - MTG Card versions
Helldozer - MTG Card versions
Geth, Lord of the Vault - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Noxious Dragon offers a clear path to card advantage by potentially removing an opponent’s creature upon death. This two-for-one ability means you’re gaining an edge in resources with a single card.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting mana resources on the board, Noxious Dragon’s presence accelerates your game plan by demanding an answer. It’s a formidable threat that requires your opponent to use their resources inefficiently to handle it.

Instant Speed: While Noxious Dragon itself is not an instant, its intimidating flying presence applies pressure at any game phase. It can significantly alter the battlefield dynamics the moment it’s revealed, forcing opponents to rethink their strategies at a moment’s notice.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing with Noxious Dragon, it demands that you discard a card to deploy its effects. This can place players in a tough spot, especially when hand size is crucial to maintaining control of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Noxious Dragon’s casting cost necessitates a certain combination of mana, including at least two black mana symbols. This can be restrictive for multicolored decks that might not always have the necessary mana available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding six mana to summon, Noxious Dragon can be a steep investment in your mana resources. Considering its power and toughness in relation to its cost, players may find other creatures or spells that provide a better value for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Noxious Dragon in Your Collection

Versatility: Noxious Dragon offers flexible gameplay, fitting into dragon-themed decks or any build that could leverage its flying ability and creature removal mechanic upon death.

Combo Potential: The death-triggered ability to destroy a target creature with converted mana cost 3 or less sets the stage for strategic plays, allowing you to manage the board while developing your flying threats.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-based aggro decks prevalent in many metas, Noxious Dragon’s presence can deter opponents from committing smaller creatures to the board or clear the way for your other attackers postmortem.


How to Beat

Noxious Dragon is a formidable presence in MTG, offering a powerful flying threat and a potential board impact upon death. With its ability to take out an opponent’s smaller creature when it dies, it requires strategic handling. Facing this dragon, aim to minimize its death-trigger by manipulating the timing or the creature targets available on your battlefield. Utilize instant-speed removals like Path to Exile to handle the dragon before its death ability becomes an issue.

Counterplay can also involve increasing the resilience of your own creatures so they survive the dragon’s last gasp. Spells that grant indestructibility or hexproof, such as Heroic Intervention, ensure your important creatures withstand the dragon’s departure. Alternatively, employing graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace can nullify the dragon’s ability by exiling it rather than letting it hit the graveyard. It’s essential to maintain board control and protect key creatures to effectively bypass the challenges posed by Noxious Dragon in your MTG matches.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Noxious Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Iconic Masters, 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 Noxious Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Noxious Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-01-23Fate ReforgedFRF 772015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1002015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32018-06-08BattlebondBBD 1522015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 7252015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
52020-09-26The ListPLST FRF-772015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
62020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 1392015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Noxious Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-11-24 A face-down creature has a mana value of 0. However, its mana value changes when it's turned face up. Thus, if a creature is turned face up in response to being targeted by Noxious Dragon's ability, it may become an illegal target.
2020-11-10 If a creature on the battlefield has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.