Vampiric Dragon MTG Card


Vampiric Dragon’s abilities combine creature control with card drawing potential, making it a versatile pick. It faces constraints such as a high mana cost and discard prerequisites, challenging deck synergy. With meta relevance, it becomes a strategic addition, able to adapt to various playstyles and combos.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Vampire Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying Whenever a creature dealt damage by Vampiric Dragon this turn is put into a graveyard, put a +1/+1 counter on Vampiric Dragon. o1o R: Vampiric Dragon deals 1 damage to target creature.


Cards like Vampiric Dragon

Vampiric Dragon is an enthralling card that combines the aggressive nature of dragons with the resourceful strategy of vampires in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Sangromancer, which also benefits from the demise of your opponent’s creatures. However, the Vampiric Dragon takes this a step further by gaining +1/+1 counters, consequently boosting its power and survivability on the battlefield.

Diving into other dragon-themed cards, we encounter the Dragon Broodmother. Much like Vampiric Dragon, the Broodmother thrives on creating new creatures. While the Broodmother automatically generates tokens, the Vampiric Dragon demands a more proactive playstyle, requiring the player to strategically manage removal to accrue those valuable counters.

When evaluating the unique combination of vampiric abilities with the flying prowess of dragons, Vampiric Dragon provides a blend of offensive power and growing threat that both dragon and vampire decks can appreciate. It comes with the capacity to evolve and control the board state, setting itself apart among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Sangromancer - MTG Card versions
Dragon Broodmother - MTG Card versions
Sangromancer - MTG Card versions
Dragon Broodmother - MTG Card versions

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

Axelrod Gunnarson - MTG Card versions
Axelrod Gunnarson - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Vampiric Dragon helps draw extra cards through its ability to target creatures. Each time it deals damage to a creature, its controller can potentially draw cards, making it beneficial for decks that seek to maintain a strong hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card acts as both a creature and an engine of destruction, which indirectly accelerates your resources. By eliminating opponent’s creatures, you can more easily attack their life points or control the board, thus gaining an advantage.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the Vampiric Dragon allows damage allocation at any time you could cast an instant. This flexible timing implies you can choose the most strategic moment during the game to utilize its abilities, such as in response to an opponent’s action or during their end phase to avoid sorcery-speed removal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For the Vampiric Dragon to start unleashing its potential, a player must discard a card. This mechanic puts a strain on your hand, especially if you’re running low on cards and need to maintain a strategic reserve.

Specific Mana Cost: The Vampiric Dragon demands a specific combination of mana to cast: four generic, two black, and two red mana. This requirement can be restrictive and make it challenging to fit into a deck that isn’t heavily invested in those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Vampiric Dragon is quite substantial. With a total of eight mana needed, it arrives on the battlefield later than many other creatures. During earlier turns, you might find it difficult to present a threat or respond effectively to opponents’ plays while saving up resources to cast this formidable creature.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Vampiric Dragon card offers a unique flexibility to fit in various deck strategies. Its capabilities allow it to flourish in decks geared towards both aggressive and control tactics, making use of its flying ability and the mechanism to grow stronger by consuming creatures from the graveyard.

Combo Potential: This creature thrives in combination with other cards that fill the graveyard, increasing its power with each removal of an opponent’s creature. Deck synergies might involve pairing it with discard incentives or self-mill cards to ensure a steady growth in its lethality.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by creature-based decks, Vampiric Dragon can be an invaluable asset. It serves as both a threat and a deterrent, with the power to swing games by decimating the opposing front and bolstering your own offensive capabilities.


How to beat

Vampiric Dragon is a formidable creature card that combines the aggressive traits of vampires with the raw power of dragons in MTG. This dual-threat is known for its flying ability, allowing it to bypass ground creatures, and its ability to grow stronger by placing +1/+1 counters each time an opponent’s creature dies. To counter this impressive card, prioritize removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size or abilities. Options such as Murder, which can destroy any creature at instant speed, or exile effects like Path to Exile, are effective ways to handle the Vampiric Dragon before its power escalates.

Moreover, countering the Dragon itself is only half the battle. Preventing creatures from dying is equally vital to stop its growth. Utilize board control spells like Wrath of God to clear the board without leaving carcasses behind for the Dragon to feed upon. In addition, employing lifegain strategies can help you withstand the vampire themed onslaught, sustaining your life total even in the face of the Dragon’s increasing clout. By strategically managing your resources and using well-timed disruption, Vampiric Dragon’s threat can be successfully neutralized in your MTG matchups.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vampiric Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Archenemy, 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 Vampiric Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vampiric Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by Gary Ruddell.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 2961997NormalBlackGary Ruddell
22010-06-18ArchenemyARC 992003NormalBlackGary Ruddell
32010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A1091997NormalBlackGary Ruddell
42021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1582015NormalBlackGary Ruddell

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vampiric Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal