(Goldspan DragonGoldspan Dragon | Art by Andrew Mar)

Take to the Skies

Welcome back to Wombo Combo, the episodic series where we explore EDH's best combo cards using data from EDHREC and Commander Spellbook. This edition, right on the eve of the release of Tarkir: Dragonstorm, it seems fitting to look to the skies and take a look at EDH's best Dragon combo cards.

Dragons are one of Magic's most popular creature types, and may very well be the most popular, as evidenced by two of the top 10 EDH commanders being Dragons.

The upcoming release of Tarkir: Dragonstorm and its commander set will introduce almost 50 new Dragons to Magic as well as dozens of Dragon-related and adjacent cards. With a large flight of dragons approaching, lets take a birds-eye view at these mythical creatures.

#10: Nesting Dragon

Number of Combos: 42

Deck Inclusions: 24,964 decks (0.912%)

Nesting DragonNesting Dragon is a landfall card that creates a 0/2 Dragon Egg that then creates a 2/2 Dragon when the Egg dies. Landfall token generators are a staple include in Kodama of the East TreeKodama of the East Tree decks, as the token allows Kodama to cheat out lands and other zero mana value permanents.

Nesting Dragon also serves as an easy conduit for Perilous ForaysPerilous Forays, while including another landfall card like Lotus CobraLotus Cobra to cover the mana cost. Encroaching DragonstormEncroaching Dragonstorm, a new card from Tarkir: Dragonstorm, can use Nesting Dragon's Dragon tokens as an easy way to cheat basic lands onto the battlefield.

#9: Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind

Number of Combos: 42

Deck Inclusions: 1,001 as commander (#1,130); 46,771 as card (3.652%)

Niv-Mizzet, the FiremindNiv-Mizzet, the Firemind is a powerful card that deals 1 damage to any target whenever you draw a card. You can also tap it to draw a card and subsequently deal 1 damage.

This creates an easy infinite looting combo with Mind Over MatterMind Over Matter, or an infinite card draw combo with CuriosityCuriosity. Another helpful option is to include The Locust GodThe Locust God to make creature tokens, which can then trigger Intruder AlarmIntruder Alarm to untap Niv-Mizzet.

If you want Niv-Mizzet-ception, consider adding a Niv-Mizzet, VisionaryNiv-Mizzet, Visionary for a two-card infinite combo. It is also worth mentioning that Niv-Mizzet, ParunNiv-Mizzet, Parun is a very similar card to Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind minus the tap ability.

#8: Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm

Number of Combos: 42

Deck Inclusions: 22,592 as commander (#10); 38,218 as card (6.309%)

Miirym, Sentinel WyrmMiirym, Sentinel Wyrm is the 10th most popular commander in EDH currently, and the 2nd most popular Dragon commander behind The Ur-Dragon.

Miirym makes a token copy of a nontoken Dragon when it enters under your control, and makes it non-legendary to circumvent the legend rule.

There are several Dragons that can create infinite or near-infinite combos with Miirym, such as Astral Dragon (more on that later) or Worldgorger DragonWorldgorger Dragon. Miirym also works with cards with the Champion ability and changeling, such as Changeling BerserkerChangeling Berserker for a unique combo alongside some Clones.

Making copies of extremely powerful Dragons is always a massive boost, and its easy to see why Miirym is a very common commander choice for Dragon decks.

#7: Ebondeath, Dracolich

Number of Combos: 55

Deck Inclusions: 207 as commander (#2,045); 15,596 as card (0.55%)

Ebondeath, DracolichEbondeath, Dracolich is a more unique card when compared to other Dragons, as it allows you to cast it from your graveyard as long as a creature not named Ebondeath, Dracolich has died this turn.

This allows Ebondeath to work in a similar fashion to cards like Reassembling SkeletonReassembling Skeleton when paired with cards such as Pitiless PlundererPitiless Plunderer and Teval, the Balanced ScaleTeval, the Balanced Scale.

Since Ebondeath is both a Zombie and a Dragon, it works with Rooftop StormRooftop Storm and DracogenesisDracogenesis, which can both cheat Ebondeath out with ease.

#6: Hellkite Charger

Number of Combos: 62

Deck Inclusions: 46,498 decks (1.699%)

Hellkite ChargerHellkite Charger allows you to get additional combat phases by paying mana, and is a perfect pairing with cards that make mana while attacking. Some examples include Old GnawboneOld Gnawbone and Savage VentmawSavage Ventmaw, along with Ancient Copper DragonAncient Copper Dragon if you get lucky.

Because Hellkite Charger untaps attacking creatures, you could also give vigilance to a card like Selvala, Heart of the WildsSelvala, Heart of the Wilds to get the mana necessary to activate Hellkite Charger.

#5: Astral Dragon

Number of Combos: 72

Deck Inclusions: 43,768 decks (1.589%)

Astral DragonAstral Dragon creates two token copies of a noncreature permanent and makes them 3/3 Dragons in the process. This effect is extremely powerful with cards like Miirym and a token-doubler, creating an obscenely large amount of creature copies of the token doubler, which also lets you create a large amount of tokens every time from that point forward.

You can also use noncreature permanents that can clone Astral Dragon, such as Cursed MirrorCursed Mirror, for a simple two-card combo. You can also create copies of Oblivion RingOblivion Ring to continuously blink Astral Dragon for additional tokens.

#4: Terror of the Peaks

Number of Combos: 73

Deck Inclusions: 139,762 decks (5.108%)

Terror of the PeaksTerror of the Peaks is a perfect payoff card for infinite ETB combos, creating a game-winning result of infinite damage. Terror of the Peaks can also be the catalyst for many combos, including with cards like PolyraptorPolyraptor and Vrondiss, Rage of AncientsVrondiss, Rage of Ancients, by dealing damage to them to create more creature tokens.

You can also simply make a few tokens using Rionya, Fire DancerRionya, Fire Dancer to stack Terror of the Peaks triggers and fling a significant amount of damage that will win the game in most circumstances.

You can also deal damage to yourself to create tokens via Darien, King of KjeldorDarien, King of Kjeldor and regain the life lost via a soul sister effect (such as Guide of SoulsGuide of Souls).

#3: Goldspan Dragon

Number of Combos: 81

Deck Inclusions: 163,545 decks (5.978%)

If Treasures are your business, then Goldspan DragonGoldspan Dragon (and our next card) are the perfect inclusions for you. Goldspan Dragon gives Treasures a new ability that allows them to add double the mana they would normally add from their innate ability.

In many cases, this can serve as a pseudo-token doubler if you simply need mana from the Treasures. Goldspan Dragon is a great option for Treasure heavy commanders like Jolene, the Plunder QueenJolene, the Plunder Queen and Burakos, Party LeaderBurakos, Party Leader.

You can also target Goldspan Dragon with spells to create Treasures, such as Crown of FlamesCrown of Flames. While it doesn't actually double Treasure tokens for cards like Magda, Brazen OutlawMagda, Brazen Outlaw, the added mana and easy way to create Treasures can provide a great benefit to any deck that creates a reasonable amount of Treasures and uses them for mana.

#2: Ganax, Astral Hunter

Number of Combos: 83

Deck Inclusions: 4,397 as commander; 62,580 as card (2.634%)

Ganax, Astral HunterGanax, Astral Hunter pairs extremely well with Goldspan Dragon, as Ganax makes a Treasure whenever a Dragon enters under your control. These Treasures can be used for Deadeye NavigatorDeadeye Navigator to blink Ganax or another Dragon repeatedly for additional ETB triggers from that Dragon.

Since Ganax also triggers from Dragon tokens, you can pair it with Utvara HellkiteUtvara Hellkite to easily get infinite combat phases with Aggravated Assault and similar cards.

You can also simply copy Ganax a few times thanks to Miirym or Helm of the HostHelm of the Host and get infinite combat phases once you have enough Ganax on the battlefield. You also cannot go wrong with token doublers or XornXorn to make Ganax combos even easier.

#1: Lathliss, Dragon Queen

Number of Combos: 118

Deck Inclusions: 2,443 as commander (#646); 74,359 as card (2.718%)

The queen herself, Lathliss, Dragon QueenLathliss, Dragon Queen, sits upon her throne as the queen of Dragon EDH combos, creating a 5/5 Dragon whenever a nontoken Dragon enters the battlefield under your control. Lathliss combos with many of the Dragons we've talked about already like Ganax and Miirym.

Lathliss also works good for Cloudstone CurioCloudstone Curio combos to bounce the Dragon that entered originally to trigger Lathliss. Pair this with cheap Dragons (yes, they do exist) such as Slumbering DragonSlumbering Dragon or changeling creatures like Universal AutomatonUniversal Automaton for easy and relatively cheap combos.

You can also utilize type-changers (like Maskwood NexusMaskwood Nexus) to open the options for many more cheap "Dragons" to trigger Lathliss. When the Queen flies by, you have to stop and admire her in all her combo glory.

Honorable Mentions

Don't let these other Dragons soar over your head without admiring their combo potential:

1. Niv-Mizzet, ParunNiv-Mizzet, Parun: A similar card to Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind that substitutes the tap ability for an ability that triggers whenever an instant or sorcery is cast.

2. Bladewing the RisenBladewing the Risen: A card that allows you to return Dragon cards from your graveyard to the battlefield, perfect for recursion or combos with cards like Molten EchoesMolten Echoes.

3. Atsushi, the Blazing SkyAtsushi, the Blazing Sky: Atsushi creates three Treasures when it dies, creating an opportunity for cards like Orthion, Hero of LavabrinkOrthion, Hero of Lavabrink.

4. Hellkite CourserHellkite Courser: A perfect way to cheat out a commander for a turn, without increasing commander tax.

Thank you very much for reading this edition of Wombo Combo, and don't forget to check out Commander Spellbook for more EDH combos and visit the Commander Spellbook Discord to vote on the next edition of Wombo Combo. Until next time, happy comboing!