Opportunistic Dragon MTG Card


Turns opponents’ resources against them by controlling key humans or artifacts, disrupting their game plan. Provides sustained board control and potential combo synergies, elevating strategic depth in its use. Despite its reliance on specific targets, adept deckbuilding can mitigate its constraints and maximize utility.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying When Opportunistic Dragon enters the battlefield, choose target Human or artifact an opponent controls. For as long as Opportunistic Dragon remains on the battlefield, gain control of that permanent, it loses all abilities, and it can't attack or block.


Cards like Opportunistic Dragon

Opportunistic Dragon is a unique creature card with versatile abilities in the Magic: The Gathering universe. Lined up against other cards, such as the well-known Zealous Conscripts, there are notable differences to consider. The Conscripts may offer a one-time immediate effect of gaining control of any target permanent until end of turn and untapping it, providing a temporary boon during critical turns. In contrast, Opportunistic Dragon specifically targets a Human or artifact on the battlefield and maintains control of it for as long as the Dragon remains in play, offering more ongoing control.

Another comparison stirs with Goldnight Commander, a creature that also interacts with the theme of control but in a different manner. Goldnight Commander focuses on empowering your army whenever another creature enters the battlefield, creating opportunities for overwhelming the opponent with boosted forces. While Opportunistic Dragon does not directly enhance your creatures, its ability to neutralize a key piece of your opponent’s resources can be equally disrupting.

Centrally, Opportunistic Dragon’s ability to hold onto a piece of an opponent’s arsenal gives it enduring presence and strategic advantage in a game of Magic: The Gathering, setting up a dynamic that not only hampers opponents but also enriches your own tactical options during the match.

Zealous Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Goldnight Commander - MTG Card versions
Zealous Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Goldnight Commander - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Opportunistic Dragon by color, type and mana cost

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Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
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Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Opportunistic Dragon provides a unique form of card advantage by taking control of an opponent’s Human or Artifact. This effectively reduces the opponent’s resources while bolstering your own board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Although Opportunistic Dragon doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, controlling opponent’s Artifacts can potentially disrupt their mana curve or utilize their resources to your advantage, indirectly accelerating your own game plan.

Instant Speed: Despite the Opportunistic Dragon itself not having instant speed, it allows for flexible gameplay. By impacting the board immediately upon entry, it forces the opponent to respond at uncomfortable times, similar to instant speed plays. Moreover, surprise interactions with stolen Artifacts can offer instant-speed-like benefits during your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A steep requirement for Opportunistic Dragon is its necessity for a specific discard selection to activate its ability effectively. This can pose problems, particularly in the late game when card advantage is crucial and every card in hand counts toward strategic plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a precise mana cost of both red and generic mana, this dragon can sometimes strain your mana base, especially in multi-colored decks looking to maintain a diverse mana pool for a spectrum of spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Carrying a cost of four mana, Opportunistic Dragon can be a bit costly considering other cards in the same mana range may offer immediate impact or greater versatility, potentially outclassing this fiery creature in terms of overall value and board influence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Opportunistic Dragon offers a unique flexibility to your deck by being able to control human creatures or artifacts your opponents control. This means it can fit into multiple strategies, especially those that require manipulating board states or disrupting opponents’ plans.

Combo Potential: This dragon also has the potential to be part of combos, for instance by pairing it with cards that benefit from stealing or temporarily gaining control of opponent’s resources, thus turning the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: With the right meta, Opportunistic Dragon can become a real threat. If artifacts and creature-based strategies are prevalent, the dragon’s abilities to snatch key pieces can significantly hamper your opponent’s tactics, making it a worthy addition to your deck.


Understanding Opportunistic Dragon

Opportunistic Dragon is a unique role player in the realm of MTG creatures. As a four-mana red dragon with the potential to change the course of battle by hijacking an opponent’s human or artifact, it offers a strategic advantage not commonly found in red’s creature suite. The dragon not only captures a piece but also disables artifact abilities, making it a notable disruptor in the MTG ecosystem.

Take, for example, the Glass Casket. While this can exile creatures with a certain power until the Casket leaves the battlefield, Opportunistic Dragon brings a different flavor to the table. It secures control without completely exiling the target—though with the restriction that it can only target humans and artifacts. It’s akin to the Confiscation Coup of artifacts and humans—a sharp tactical maneuver in gameplay that can often catch opponents off guard.

How to beat

Overcoming Opportunistic Dragon requires a mix of preparedness and versatility. First, be mindful that the dragon can only target humans and artifacts, which means diversifying your deck with non-human creatures could reduce its impact. Including instant-speed removal such as Murder or Abrupt Decay can help swiftly deal with the dragon before it’s able to exploit its ability. Additionally, cards with hexproof or indestructible provide innate protection against this type of control. Consider enchantments like Asceticism to grant your creatures hexproof, ensuring the dragon’s ability never latches onto its intended prey. Lastly, if you cannot stop it from entering the battlefield, have a Disenchant or Naturalize ready to at least free your captured asset from its clutches.

In essence, while Opportunistic Dragon presents a real threat upon its descent, incorporating versatile responses in your MTG strategy will help you reclaim the skies and maintain control over the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The fascinations of MTG never cease, and cards like Opportunistic Dragon invite players to add a layer of cunning to their matches. As you reflect on the strategic depths this card offers, consider how it could disrupt your opponent’s game plan or mesh with your deck’s strategy. While certain drawbacks highlight the need for skilled play, the Dragon’s asset control can shift games dramatically. If you aim to outplay adversaries with tactical board manipulation or just covet this unique drake for its abilities and potential combos, Opportunistic Dragon could be your next prized acquisition. Dive deeper with us as you refine your collection and advance your MTG prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Opportunistic Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Resale Promos and Throne of Eldraine, 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 Opportunistic Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Opportunistic Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-01-01 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-01-01Resale PromosPRES 1332015NormalBlackChris Rahn
22019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 1332015NormalBlackChris Rahn
32019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 3642015NormalBlackChris Rahn
42021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1342015NormalBlackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Opportunistic Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-10-04 If Opportunistic Dragon leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, your opponent keeps control of their Human or artifact, it doesn't lose any abilities, and it can still attack or block as normal. You don't gain control of it at all.
2019-10-04 If another player gains control of the permanent Opportunistic Dragon has kidnapped, that permanent doesn't regain its abilities and still can't attack or block.
2019-10-04 If the stolen permanent normally has any abilities that would trigger when Opportunistic Dragon dies, those abilities won't trigger.
2019-10-04 Opportunistic Dragon's effect doesn't expire if another player gains control of it or if it loses all abilities. The effect only expires once it's no longer on the battlefield.