Scourge of Valkas MTG Card


Scourge of Valkas synergizes well with dragon-heavy strategies, enhancing game plans significantly. Drawing out opponent removal, it poses a challenging aerial threat to counters. Its triggered ability offers significant damage potential at key moments in play.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying Whenever Scourge of Valkas or another Dragon enters the battlefield under your control, it deals X damage to target creature or player, where X is the number of Dragons you control.: Scourge of Valkas gets +1/+0 until end of turn.


Cards like Scourge of Valkas

Scourge of Valkas is an iconic dragon in the world of Magic: The Gathering that provides an immediate impact on the board due to its unique ability to deal damage as dragons enter the battlefield under your control. This card draws parallels with another formidable dragon, Dragon Tempest, which shares the feature of dishing out damage when dragons fly onto the field. Yet, Scourge of Valkas has the distinct advantage of being a creature itself, making it a direct threat.

Comparatively, there’s also Lathliss, Dragon Queen that demands attention. While Lathliss doesn’t deal damage when other dragons enter the battlefield, she does create additional dragon tokens, thereby magnifying the dragon assault. Meanwhile, Utvara Hellkite takes a similar approach but adds an exponential growth mechanic to the arsenal, spawning dragon tokens for every attacking dragon, although without the immediate damage output of Scourge of Valkas.

Assessing the suite of dragon-themed cards in Magic: The Gathering, it’s clear that Scourge of Valkas has a revered place among them. Its blend of direct damage and synergistic potential with any dragon makes it a powerful choice for any player looking to soar to victory with a dragon strategy.

Dragon Tempest - MTG Card versions
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - MTG Card versions
Utvara Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Dragon Tempest - MTG Card versions
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - MTG Card versions
Utvara Hellkite - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Scourge of Valkas by color, type and mana cost

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Five-color ComboFive-color Combo ModernMagda Combo$20K RCQ (Top 4) - Modern - SCG CON Cincinnati - Saturday - 10:00 am
8-Rack8-Rack ModernMagda Combo$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Cincinnati - Sunday - 9:00 am
Magda ComboMagda Combo ModernMagda ComboModern Challenge 96 2023-12-02 (1)
Five-color EldraziFive-color Eldrazi ModernMagda ComboNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Madison, Wisconsin (Modern)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scourge of Valkas offers card advantage by presenting a serious aerial threat that also demands an answer, drawing out removal from an opponent’s hand and potentially clearing the way for other powerful dragons or creatures in your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, Scourge of Valkas synergizes immensely well with any form of dragon-boosting or mana ramp spells, further accelerating your game plan and enabling more dragons to take flight sooner for increased battlefield dominance.

Instant Speed: While Scourge of Valkas itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability triggers whenever it or another dragon enters the battlefield, potentially dealing damage during the end step with instant-speed dragon creation, providing an immediate impact and compensating for its absence of instant speed play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Scourge of Valkas offers a powerful flying dragon for your arsenal, it doesn’t escape the need for a significant discard to unleash its might. In specific deck builds where cards in hand are already scarce, this requirement could hamstring your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Scourge of Valkas is quite rigid, demanding a heavy commitment to red mana. This strict cost can complicate deck construction, especially for players looking to build around a multi-colored theme. It constraints flexibility and resource allocation, leaning heavily towards decks with a strong red mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a mana value that’s on the higher end of the scale, Scourge of Valkas’ demand for a total of five mana, with three being red, can slow your pace in the early game. While its impact might be undeniable later on, players may find alternatives that exert pressure on opponents sooner without a substantial investment of resources.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scourge of Valkas offers a dynamic role in Dragon-centric or red-based decks, adapting fluidly as both a threat and a source of direct damage thanks to its ability to deal damage whenever a Dragon enters the battlefield under your control.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations, particularly when paired with cards that create multiple Dragon tokens or with effects that allow for numerous Dragons to be played in quick succession, amplifying the damage dealt with its triggered ability.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creatures have a strong presence, Scourge of Valkas provides a recurring damage source that can rapidly shift the board state in your favor, making it a strategic addition capable of confronting various common deck archetypes.


How to Beat the Scourge of Valkas

Unleashing its power in games of Magic: The Gathering, Scourge of Valkas is a potent dragon with a knack for punishing opponents via its ability to deal damage upon arrival and whenever other dragons take flight. This red powerhouse can quickly turn the tide of battle. Yet, a carefully structured strategy can smother its fiery onslaught. Prioritizing the control of the board through sweepers or spot removal like Path to Exile can help keep Scourge of Valkas tamed. Ensnaring it with enchantments that keep it grounded, such as Pacifism, or freezing it in place with spells like Frost Breath, also works wonders.

Additionally, counterspells are a dragon’s bane, denying Scourge of Valkas the chance to roar onto the battlefield. It’s crucial to avoid letting Scourge of Valkas establish a presence, as it can rapidly escalate the threat level with each subsequent dragon played. Playing with speed and foresight, and maintaining an array of answers in your deck can ensure Scourge of Valkas remains merely a whisper rather than a defining roar of defeat.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delve into the fiery depths of strategic gameplay with Scourge of Valkas, a cornerstone for any dragon enthusiast aiming to dominate the skies. As we’ve dissected its strengths and weaknesses, we’ve uncovered the true potential of this red behemoth in your MTG arsenal. Adaptability, combo proficiency, and immense power make Scourge of Valkas a high-value asset in creature-centric metagames. Compensate for its mana demands with smart deck construction, and you’ll breathe new life into your matches. To further refine your dragon-laden deck and explore more synergies, continue your MTG journey with us and embrace the might of dragons.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scourge of Valkas MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and Commander 2017, 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 Scourge of Valkas and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Scourge of Valkas Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Lucas Graciano.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1512003NormalBlackLucas Graciano
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 1422015NormalBlackLucas Graciano
32017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1452015NormalBlackLucas Graciano
42021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1372015NormalBlackLucas Graciano

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scourge of Valkas has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-11-17 If a Dragon entering the battlefield causes Scourge of Valkas's ability to trigger but leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, that Dragon still deals damage.
2017-11-17 The amount of damage dealt by the Dragon that entered the battlefield is based on the number of Dragons you control when the ability resolves.