Hellkite TyrantHellkite Tyrant | art by Aleksi Briclot

Here Be Dragons! These Mighty Creatures Are The Best Dragons To Play If You're Looking To Light Up Your Commander Pod.

One of the best parts of playing Magic: The Gathering is employing the incredibly powerful creatures that populate the game in your well-formed game plan. This is especially true in the Commander format, where well-crafted decks snowball quickly--leading to extremely powerful creatures overwhelming your opponents with ease after setting things up just right.

Dragons certainly slot into that playstyle, as this original Magic creature type (both Dragon WhelpDragon Whelp and Shivan DragonShivan Dragon from Alpha contain the Dragon type) is all about building up huge stores of mana, and then unleashing hellfire on your opponents through a bevy of different strategies, depending on who you selected as your commander.

On that front, there are myriad legendary Dragons, meaning they make top-flight choices when picking your commander. But what are the best Dragon cards for Commander? Just in time for the release of Tarkir: Dragonstrom, let's swoop down and take a closer look.

Honorable Mentions

Dragonspeaker ShamanDragonspeaker Shaman

Dragonspeaker Shaman

Dragons as a creature type are almost always quite mana-intensive (much like Dinosaurs). As such, any card that can lower the casting cost of Dragons is going to be worth its weight in gold as part of the 99, just as this scarcely reprinted Human Barbarian Shaman originally found in Scourge is.

Dragon's HoardDragon's Hoard

Dragon's Hoard

Speaking of gold, one common trope related to Dragons shared across various fantasy franchises is that they--like Goldfinger--adore gold and riches and often live in a lair full of glittering coins and jewels. This flavorful card debuted in Core Set 2019 and is both a top-flight Dragon-related mana rock in the early game and a card advantage engine in the late game. Dragons love good value.

Dragon TempestDragon Tempest

Dragon Tempest

While this card would surely have been given the supertype of "kindred enchantment" had it been released during the Lorwyn-Shadowmoor block, it simply wasn't, so it doesn't quite qualify as a "Dragon card" for the benefit of this article. Despite that, this a premier synergy piece for any Dragon-themed deck - especially seeing as its on the lower end of the mana curve for such decks.

Crux of FateCrux of Fate

Crux of Fate

A premier board wipe that gets even better when played in dedicated Dragon builds. Seeing as this is a modal spell, you can choose to either wipe the board of all Dragon creatures or all non-Dragon creatures... see where I'm going with this? That's right, if played at the right time, this can leave your opponents with an empty board while your board stays intact and dense with dangerous Dragons.

Invasion of TarkirInvasion of Tarkir

Invasion of Tarkir

This mythic rare sorcery from March of the Machine is a top-flight Dragon synergy piece. Dealing X+2 damage (where X is the number of Dragon cards revealed from your hand) to any target is a terrific option for the front of the card, and then the flipside boasts Defiant ThundermawDefiant Thundermaw, which causes all of your Dragons to ShockShock any target when they attack.

Call the Spirit DragonsCall the Spirit Dragons

Call the Spirit Dragons

Tarkir: Dragonstorm, Magic's latest set, revisited the Tarkir plane from the popular Khans of Tarkir block. That set introduced the nomenclature for Magic's three-color combinations (aka wedges) Much like Khans, Tarkir: Dragonstorm was a Dragon lover's paradise, and to prove it, the set featured this incredible five-color Dragon-related enchantment that gives all of your Dragons indestructible and offers up an easy-to-complete alternate win condition: if you control five dragons, one of each color, at the beginning of your upkeep, you win the game.

Top 20 Dragon Cards for Commander

20. Bladewing the RisenBladewing the Risen

Bladewing the Risen

Originally printedprinted way back in 2003's Scourge expansion, Bladewing the RisenBladewing the Risen represented a zombified version of Rorix BladewingRorix Bladewing (from Onslaught). While this card might be something of a niche inclusion in a lot of decks, its ability to go infinite in a variety of ways--almost all of which involve a creature-copying spell--is surely worth mentioning. Also, I pulled this card from a Scourge booster pack back in the day, so it holds a special place in my heart, and the #20 spot on this list.

19. Kokusho, the Evening StarKokusho, the Evening Star

Kokusho, the Evening Star

Speaking of "Spirit Dragons," this Dragon Spirit creature originally printed in Champions of Kamigawa features one of the best death triggers of all time, especially in Commander. Smacking your foes for five life each upon its untimely passing and gaining you 15 life is pretty sweet. If you can recur or reanimate this card multiple times in a turn, you'll pull way ahead of your foes quickly.

18. Savage VentmawSavage Ventmaw

Savage Ventmaw

This Dragon originally hailing from 2015's Dragons of Tarkir boasts an amazing attack trigger that adds an impressive that never leaves your mana pool. While already strong at face value, this card goes infinite in a number of ways--including with fellow powerhouse Dragon Hellkite ChargerHellkite Charger.

17. Worldgorger DragonWorldgorger Dragon

Worldgorger Dragon

Speaking of going infinite, this 7/7 flying, trampling Dragon for has a tiny little drawback you might notice upon it entering the battlefield: you have to exile ALL OTHER PERMANENTS YOU CONTROL. But what if that drawback was actually the main reason for playing this beefy bruiser? In the wacky, wonderful world of Magic, that's exactly the case. This card goes infinite with a variety of permanents that reanimate cards from your graveyard, and you can pull off some utterly broken game-winning scenarios with the right combination of cards plus this Dragon.

16. Skithiryx, the Blight DragonSkithiryx, the Blight Dragon

Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon

While this list began with a number of cards that, while strong, are still mere bit players rather than stars, we finally get into some true powerhouses--like SkithiryxSkithiryx. The only legendary Dragon with infect (one of the strongest keyword abilities in Magic history), it can also be granted haste for or regenerated for . As such, it makes a terrific commander, as you can bring it back in the late game and give it haste for cheap as well as protect it with regeneration.

15. Atarka, World RenderAtarka, World Render

Atarka, World Render

Speaking of eminently strong keyword abilities, double strike immediately became one of the best abilities in Magic history when it debuted in Legions and it has been featured extensively ever since. Cards like Terror of Mount VelusTerror of Mount Velus can give all of your creatures double strike when it enters, but Atarka, World RenderAtarka, World Render (originally from 2015's Fate Reforged) can give all of your Dragons double strike every time they attack. Pair that with strong attack triggers like Savage VentmawSavage Ventmaw's or Defiant ThundermawDefiant Thundermaw's and you're in business.

14. Scion of the Ur-DragonScion of the Ur-Dragon

Scion of the Ur-Dragon

One of the best WUBRG cards ( ) of all time, Scion of the Ur-DragonScion of the Ur-Dragon is a watered-down version of The Ur-DragonThe Ur-Dragon, though it was perplexingly printed first, back in 2006's Time Spiral expansion. While this card is featured in a spicy combo featuring Skithiryx and Moltensteel Dragon, it also pairs well with reanimation spells (such as Bladewing the RisenBladewing the Risen) and is a strong tutor in Dragon decks. Tutors as a card type are always useful for creature-heavy archetypes--especially if a creature itself acts as a tutor, which is the case with this Scion.

13. Lathliss, Dragon QueenLathliss, Dragon Queen

Lathliss, Dragon Queen

Dragons, unlike Elves, don't necessarily have "lords" (or creatures that boost the power and toughness and/or grant a notable keyword of its kindred creature type) since they're almost always endowed with rather high power and toughness quotients. Instead, you'll find Dragons with synergistic abilities that play well off one another. However, LathlissLathliss(first printed in Core Set 2019) serves as a pseudo-Dragon lord that also gives you a 5/5 flying Dragon token whenever a nontoken Dragon enters.

12. Dragonlord DromokaDragonlord Dromoka

Dragonlord Dromoka

While Gruul (red/green) and, by extension, Jund (red/green/black) are likely the colors most associated with Dragons, white has its fair share of strong Dragon options. The best Selesnya (green/white) Dragon, though, is this 5/7 flying, lifelinker for that can't be countered (nice) and it also forces ALL of your opponents to play all spells at sorcery speed. This powerhouse hoser is a terrific option in Dragon decks, which will often take some time to fully come online. Also, look at that strong chin; someone get this Dragoness a Batman mask!

11. Korvold, Fae-Cursed KingKorvold, Fae-Cursed King

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King

While "Aristocrats" remains one of the most popular Commander archetypes of all time, those decks are usually focused more in black and white than Jund, which is where this mythic rare Dragon Noble from Throne of Eldraine lands on the Magic color wheel. Still though, one can build a truly spectacular "sacrifice matters"-themed deck around KorvoldKorvold--which is likely why this powerhouse Dragon card is the 36^th-most popular commander according to EDHREC.

10. Nicol Bolas, the RavagerNicol Bolas, the Ravager

One of Magic's most famous "big bads," this version of Nicol Bolas hails from the Dragon paradise Core Set 2019 and is already a strong creature: a 4/4 flyer for four mana that forces your foe to pitch a card upon entering.

Nicol Bolas, the Ravager

Of course, if you can reach , you get Nicol Bolas, the ArisenNicol Bolas, the Arisen, a toweringly powerful planeswalker with four thunderous loyalty abilities and seven starting loyalty. Nicol Bolas is a truly terrifying character across Magic lore, so it's only fitting to see this original "Elder Dragon" start off the top 10 of the best Dragon cards of all time in Commander.

9. Stormscale ScionStormscale Scion

The Tarkir: Dragonstorm set follows in the footsteps of releases from the Time Spiral block (the eponymous set, Planar Chaos, and Future Sight) in that they share a name with a card from Magic's past. In this case, Tarkir: Dragonstorm references famed nine-mana sorcery DragonstormDragonstorm from draconic playground Scourge. The card does just what it says on the tin: searches your library for a Dragon and puts it directly into play... and it has storm so it gets copied based on the number of cards you've played prior.

Stormscale Scion

Tarkir: Dragonstorm takes it up a notch by printing Stormscale ScionStormscale Scion, a Dragon creature with, you guessed it, storm. Remember how I said Dragons don't have that many lords? Well, if you're able to copy this card multiple times in a turn, you'll suddenly have three, four or more Dragon lords on the battlefield all at once, each giving +1/+1 to your other dragons. A beautifully designed card, a wonderful reference to Magic's past, and a terrific namesake card for Tarkir: Dragonstorm.

8. Goldspan DragonGoldspan Dragon

Commander players love accruing tons of mana-producing artifacts--specifically Treasure tokens--which is something this mythic rare from Kaldheim is terrific at doing. For a mere , you get a 4/4 hasty flyer, but where this card really shines is via its two abilities - one triggered and one static.

Goldspan Dragon

The triggered ability occurs whenever you attack with Goldspan DragonGoldspan Dragon or it's targeted by a spell (yours or your opponents') and gift-wraps you a Treasure token. However, the static ability is the real hero: your treasures now produce two mana of any color instead of one. This is a massive boon in any format, but especially in Commander and especially if you're playing Dragons--as you'll be able to snowball quite quickly into bonkers turns featuring megaton threats, such as...

7. Terror of the PeaksTerror of the Peaks

Reprinted in 2024's Outlaws of Thunder Junction set, this terror-inducing 5/4 Dragon also boasts two amazing abilities. The first, much like Goldspan DragonGoldspan Dragon, features some minor protection if your foe tries to remove Terror of the PeaksTerror of the Peaks--they must pay 3 life for the privilege of killing it.

Terror of the Peaks

However, it's this card's second ability that truly makes it a titanic threat--and not just in Dragon decks. Being able to ping any target based on the power of ANY creature that enters the battlefield under your control is an incredible boon, especially if your deck is chock-full of high-powered threats that can snowball incredibly quickly. Combine this with Stormscale ScionStormscale Scion for a ton of fun!

6. TiamatTiamat

One of the biggest "big bads" in the world of Dungeons & Dragons is this massive, five-headed Dragon queen who rules over Avernus and "spawns all of evil dragonkind" from the first layer of the Nine Hells. Seeing as Hasbro owns both D&D and Magic it only makes sense that this top-tier villain appears in the two properties--and is immensely strong in both.

Tiamat

Tiamat is a far newer inclusion in Magic, first appearing in 2021's Adventures in the Forgotten Realms. She serves as a frightening 7/7 threat from that set for , especially since she can seek out five different Dragons upon entering (whatever ones suit your needs) and place them directly in your hand. With such incredible utility, it's no surprise that this card has risen in popularity (and price) over the past few months.

5. Hellkite TyrantHellkite Tyrant

If there's one thing that Commander players love, it's playing a lot of mana rocks and producing tons of Treasure tokens. If there's another thing they love, it's alternate win conditions. And if they're devious players, they also love stealing their opponents' hard-earned permanents. This Dragon combines all three of those abilities into a terrifically strong 6/5 flying and trampling package.

Hellkite Tyrant

Originally released as a mythic rare from 2013's Gatecrash, this powerhouse Dragon steals all of a single foe's artifacts when it connects via combat damage--which is already an immensely powerful ability. Staple that to a static ability that delivers an alternate win condition of owning 20 or more artifacts, and you've got a Dragon that richly deserves a top-five spot among the best ever.

4. Ancient Copper DragonAncient Copper Dragon

2022's Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate introduced the eldest "chromatic dragons" from the pages of D&D's Monster Manuals (as well as tabletops the world over) to the world of Magic. And what an auspicious debut it was! Befitting the supreme power of these creatures, the Magic versions of the ancient chromatic dragons are immensely strong, with towering abilities.

Ancient Copper Dragon

Each monocolored Dragon features a terrifically powerful ability that triggers upon dealing combat damage to an opponent. In true D&D fashion, the ability requires the rolling of a 20-sided die, and in Ancient Copper DragonAncient Copper Dragon's case, if you roll a natural 20, you get to create a staggering 20 Treasure tokens. Combine that with Hellkite TyrantHellkite Tyrant for an immediate win on your next turn!

3. Miirym, Sentinel WyrmMiirym, Sentinel Wyrm

The 10^th-most popular commander choice on EDHREC happens to be a top-flight (get it?) Dragon card that, again, debuted in Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate. This Temur-colored (green/blue/red) Dragon Spirit nullifies the "legend rule" by creating non-legendary copies of any Dragon you control that enters.

Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm

This ability is tremendously strong in general, but when paired with various other cards, MiirymMiirym makes it trivial to go infinite--even within a dedicated Dragon shell. Pair her with Worldgorger DragonWorldgorger Dragon for tons of infinite loops, or with Astral DragonAstral Dragon (from the same set as MiirymMiirym) and any token-duplicating enchantment such as Parallel LivesParallel Lives, Doubling SeasonDoubling Season, or Primal VigorPrimal Vigor for an insta-win.

2. Old GnawboneOld Gnawbone

The most valuable card from Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (in their standard printings, at least) is this legendary green Dragon that's also known as Claugiyliamatar in the D&D universe. As previously evinced, Dragons love treasure, gold, and jewels, so Gnawbone's combat damage triggered ability is perfectly thematic.

Old Gnawbone

It is also massively formidable, as being able to gain Treasure tokens based on the damage dealt to any foe is a huge boost. Combine that ability with something like Goldspan DragonGoldspan Dragon's, or with Ancient Copper DragonAncient Copper Dragon's, or--the most fun option--with Hellkite TyrantHellkite Tyrant's, and you've got an incredibly fun and surprisingly powerful auto-win option, all thanks to the majesty of Dragons.

1. The Ur-DragonThe Ur-Dragon

Unsurprisingly, the best Dragon card for Commander is the second-most popular Commander overall--across all creatures--on EDHREC: the aptly named The Ur-Dragon. Any card with the eminence ability, which affects the board whether the card is on the battlefield or in the command zone, is usually a powerhouse one, and that's certainly the case with this mighty 10/10 flyer that costs .

The Ur-Dragon

Beyond that, when Ur-Dragon attacks, you get to draw cards based on the number of Dragons that attacked (including itself) and toss down a free permanent for your troubles. Immensely flavorful as well as extremely powerful and popular, it's no surprise that this card boasts a median value of nearly $80 across its six printings (including a hard-to-find Secret Lair Drop).

Draconic Influence

Dragons are extremely fun to build a Commander deck around, and I hope this list inspired you to deliver a fiery new deck to your next pod. Thanks for reading and catch you next time.

Read more:

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• 10 Surprisingly Expensive Commander Tokens
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