The spoilers for Tarkir: Dragonstorm are coming fast and furious and boy howdy does it look like there’s some nice cards coming for people who love Dragons. It’s been a while since we saw a Dragon-centric set, I suppose we’d have to go back to the original Tarkir block, and like the rites of spring, one’s mind turns to “you know, it’s been a while since I brewed up a Dragon typal Commander deck.”
Your mind may work differently than mine and for everyone’s case, I hope that’s true.
It’s not like we aren’t hurting for legendary Dragons one can build a 99 around (over a hundred by current count). But let’s add some difficulty here, let’s talk about Dragons (or Dragon-centric commanders) that won’t put a giant target on your back from turn one (looking at you, The Ur-Dragon), aren’t commonly used, and, let’s be honest, don’t suck (everyone loves the O.G. Elder Dragons but let’s be real, we can do better, much better).
Like some of these guys!
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Zirlian of the Claw: This Mirage rare has only been printed once (and I had to look up that it’s a Lizard legend now), but anything that lets you tutor for a Dragon and put it right into play would seem like an auto-include, especially if you’re playing Dragons with enter triggers. Or you just have a way to bounce or sac before end of turn, which would make this Zirlian a fine non-Commander to a Rivaz of the Claw or other sacrifice-based deck, just sayin’. |
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Kaalia of the Vast: Who remembers her from the original Commander decks way back when? Having Kaalia as your commander also lets you dip into a creature base not necessarily Dragon-centric but adding good Angels and Demons as well, and a dip into white allows a pull of my favorite two white dragons out of … well, two, Timeless Dragon and Eternal Dragon. |
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Numot, the Devastator: Okay, I know I said I wanted to run Dragons that didn’t put a target on your head but sometimes there are lands out there that need to die, you know? And deep down I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for land kill. Use his ability judiciously and maybe nobody will want to kill you immediately. |
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Sarkhan, Soul Aflame: Dragon-reducing costs without the “Ur-Dragon, Kill You Now” penalty? Sign me up, especially if you’re running a heavy count of “when this attacks” or “when this deals damage to an opponent” Dragons. |
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Sivitri, Dragon Master: If you’re old, like me, you might recall the original Legends from the set named, ironically, Legends. Some of them were very cool! Some of them were not. And some of them just downright sucked, like ol’ Sivitri Scarzam and if you can remember what that card did without looking it up, I’ll be impressed (spoiler alert: it did nothing). But I’ll give WotC designers credit, they tried making “new” legendary versions of those old cards which actually don’t suck! Like this one, a planeswalker you can use as your commander (two for ones, always a winner in my book) and with the ability to tutor for Dragons, among other abilities. And, if you’re looking to add a degree of difficulty; U/B is not the most Dragon-friendly color combo. |
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Morophon, the Boundless: And you say waaaaaait this ain’t no Dragon, and I say, “well, kinda sorta in all the ways that counts.” If you want to play with ALL THE COLORS and not pay the Ur-Dragon or Tiamat hate tax, this is the way to go. |
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Ziatora, the Incinerator: Really, you had me at “the Incinerator.” Punching someone in the face with a Dragon, then throwing it at them, you’re speaking my love language. Ziatora also plays very well with a graveyard recursion sub-them or a “steal-and-Fling” strategy as well. Why not use both! I know I would! |
So, yeah, maybe these will give you a few ideas for some new Commander builds, because, after all, you can’t spell “EDH” without “Dragon.”
Dave Meddish has been playing Magic longer than most of you have been alive and has the cards to prove it. Among other things, he's been a computer game designer, game show winner, and has written for Star City Games and Wizards of the Coast.