Ok, since I started playing magic I always wanted to play a dragon based deck. But Dragons are hard to work on a functional deck, they are expensive, have little sinergy and before the recent expansions were rare and underwhelming for the mana cost.
So this is my first atempt at making a semi-competitive dragon deck. The key for this deck success is the format, ideall you should play this on Legacy Tribal Wars, this is the format where you have an edge. The deck is very self explanatory, but I will adress things point by point.
- The Format
Legacy Tribal Wars is a format contained in the Legacy card pool but with a twist, 1/3 of your deck must be of creatures of the same kind (20 creatures in a 60 card deck), what this means is that your deck must be creature centric and every critter must support each other if you want to have a winning deck. This leaves very few slots for spells and combos, so your opponent usually need to face you on the field. This also means that your usual opponents will be Elfs, Goblins, Humans and other horde based cards, it's also a format that's not very friendly to blue, so you will see few counterspells and that's very important for this deck.
- The Mana Base
So, if you took a look on the deck already you noticed that almost all my spells slots are dedicated to mana generation, reason for this is obvious, Dragons are expensive, but with these you can drop some heavy flyers on turn 3 usually.
Seething Song- This is the mana king, ideally this should start on your hand, this let's you drop a Scourge of Valkas on turn 3 (or 2 if you also have a Rite of Flame), but here's the kicker, you can combo another Seething Song inside this for 7 mana total or a Geosurge for 8, this let's you drop your big guys very early on the game.
Rite of Flame - Usually you will be using these to get that last mana, but you can also use this to drop Dragon Tempest on turn 1 if you have a couple of Slugering Dragon on your hand for some early damage.
Geosurge - You have to keep in mind that this can only be used for creature spells, so after you play this you can't throw another mana generator inside it, but it also also let's you drop pretty much any dragon on it's own.
Lands - So far i'm running only basic lands due to being mono red but i'm open to suggestions.
3.The Core
Dragon Tempest - By far your most important card, this gives is not only cheap but also gives you two key things, speed and removal. Dragons with haste are very dangerous and cant turn a match in a second if the opponent can't fly. The damage is useful to remove Lords from the field.
Slumbering Dragon - This acomplishes two things, it buffs the damage on Dragon Tempest and Scourge of Valkas and most important it prevents premature horde attacks, if you have this on the field the other guy either has to spend a removal that could get your more damaging dragons or will have to bind his time until he can kill you in one swing, try to have 2 on the field for effect.
Scourge of Valkas - 5 mana drop, built in Dragon Tempest and you can buff him, this guys is a monster.
Shockmaw Dragon and Balefire Dragon - In tribal you will face a lot of elves and goblins, these guys are a flying boardwipe, downside is you can't drop Shockmaw Dragon on a single Seething Song but you can drop Balefire Dragon on a single Geosurge, combine with Gorgon's Head for extra killing power.
- The Dragons
From now on you can swap dragons in and out, but here are the ones I recommend.
3.1 - For Maximum Power
Thundermaw Hellkite- 5 mana drop is awesome, it already has haste without Dragon Tempest it swing's for 5 and will wipe all enemy flyers, this guy is op. It's main con, not budget friendly.
Utvara Hellkite- If this guy swings you pretty much won the game with Dragon Tempest
3.2 For Maximum Speed
Dragon Hatchling- Don't underestimate this little guy, he can swing pretty hard in a pinch and complement's Dragon Tempest really well.
Thunderbreak Regent- Not only is this guy really fast at 4 mana, he protects your other dragons with his ability.
3.3 - For utility
Steel Hellkite- This should be on your sideboard if you are not using him. It is just too good.
Stormbreath Dragon- Protection is nice,
3.4- For Budget
Most of these Dragons are very expensive both online and IRL, but after you grab the core you can run pretty well on budget options, here are some.
Ancient Hellkite - I used to run this core, but his ability is actually underwhelming, next guy is much better. But these are pretty easy to find and cheap.
Mordant Dragon- I'ts cheaper, stronger and has killer ability,
Siege Dragon- Run these for extra strong boardwipes.
- Filling the gaps
Apostle's Blessing - This is just great, cheap, protection on any deck, 2 life points is worth your dragon not getting a Doom Blade to the face.
Draconic Roar - This is just great value for a removal and damage on this deck, you will always have a dragon on your hand.
Gorgon's Head - This pairs really well with Shockmaw Dragon, use it if you get behind the curve and the other guy already pumped his army.
Maybes:
Extraplanar Lens
Ruby Medallion
Braid of Fire
Explorer's Scope
Arcbond
Scourge of the Throne
Hellkite Tyrant
Tarox Bladewing
Dragon Egg
Mana-Charged Dragon
Archwing Dragon
Mana-Charged Dragon
Scourge of Kher Ridges
Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
