The roar of dragons echoes across the planes once more. The sky is filled with the beat of leathery wings, the gleam of scales catching the sun, and the ominous shadows cast upon the land. In the heart of Tarkir, a world reshaped by the actions of a single planeswalker, the apex predators rule supreme. Dragons of Tarkir, a standalone expansion to the Khans of Tarkir block, is a deep dive into a world where dragons were not hunted to near extinction, but instead, flourished and came to dominate the very culture and landscape. This article aims to explore the majestic Dragons of Tarkir, dissecting its lore, mechanics, impactful cards, and the lasting impact this dragon-centric set left on the game of Magic: The Gathering.
The existence of dragons in Magic’s history is not just a theme, it’s a legacy. These majestic creatures represent power, destruction, and awe-inspiring beauty, and they’ve captured the imagination of players since the game’s inception. Dragons of Tarkir delivered on that fantasy in an unprecedented way, placing dragons at the very center of the game’s mechanics and narrative.
A World Rewritten: The Lore Behind the Dragons
To understand the significance of Dragons of Tarkir, it’s crucial to briefly revisit the events of Khans of Tarkir and Fate Reforged. In the original timeline, the warrior-khans of Tarkir, driven by their hatred of dragons, hunted them relentlessly, ultimately leading to their near extinction. The dragon storms, the source of dragon life, were suppressed, and the clans evolved without the influence of these majestic beasts.
However, Sarkhan Vol, a planeswalker native to Tarkir, traveled back in time using the temporal magic of the Eye of Ugin. His mission: to save Ugin, the Spirit Dragon, and in doing so, alter the course of Tarkir’s history. Sarkhan succeeded, preventing Ugin’s demise. This single act rippled through time, resulting in a Tarkir where the dragon storms persisted, and dragons never faded into near obscurity.
Dragons of Tarkir showcases the world that resulted from this temporal shift. The five human clans, formerly defined by their unique philosophies and martial prowess, now existed under the dominion of powerful dragonlords. The clans had adapted, some coexisting peacefully with the dragons, others serving as vassals or struggling for survival under their fiery rule.
The Disciplined Ojutai
Situated in the high mountains and serene monasteries, the Ojutai clan aligns with white and blue mana. Dragonlord Ojutai embodies their focus on enlightenment and meticulous planning. Their dragons often possess abilities focused on evasion and control.
The Corrupted Silumgar
Cloaked in shadows and steeped in necromantic energy, the Silumgar clan, associated with blue and black mana, reflect Dragonlord Silumgar’s ambition and lust for power. Their dragons frequently wield deathtouch and abilities that steal or exploit opponents’ resources.
The Enduring Dromoka
Standing firm against the sandswept wastes, the Dromoka clan, symbolized by white and green mana, follows Dragonlord Dromoka’s adherence to traditions and survival. Dragons affiliated with Dromoka frequently utilize lifelink and powerful defensive abilities.
The Speed-Driven Kolaghan
Coursing through the valleys with lightning speed, the Kolaghan clan, affiliated with black and red mana, emulate Dragonlord Kolaghan’s ferocity and aggression. Their dragons typically boast haste and aggressive abilities to quickly overwhelm the opposition.
The Savage Atarka
Holding court in the untamed wilderness, the Atarka clan, symbolized by red and green mana, mirror Dragonlord Atarka’s survival of the fittest philosophy. Their dragons commonly utilize trample and other abilities focused on raw power and damage.
The human clans, though subjugated or allied, each adapted in their own way, creating a vibrant and complex society shaped by the presence of these apex predators. The intricate relationship between humans and dragons is a central theme of the set, offering a fascinating narrative backdrop for the gameplay.
Mechanics that Take Flight: Mastering the Gameplay
Dragons of Tarkir introduced and expanded upon mechanics that perfectly complemented its draconic themes, adding layers of strategic depth to both constructed and limited formats.
Megamorph: Hiding Power in Plain Sight
Megamorph built upon the existing Morph mechanic, adding an extra layer of intrigue. Players could cast creatures face down, concealing their true identity until they were ready to unleash their full potential. The surprise factor and potential for powerful reveals made Megamorph a significant element of the set.
Rebound: Unleashing Spells Twice
Rebound offered a unique form of card advantage, allowing players to cast a spell, exile it, and then cast it again for free on their next upkeep. This mechanic encouraged careful planning and rewarded players who could maximize the value of their spells over multiple turns.
Exploit: Sacrificing for Advantage
Exploit required players to sacrifice a creature when the creature with Exploit entered the battlefield, triggering a beneficial effect. This mechanic presented interesting strategic choices, forcing players to carefully consider the value of their creatures and the potential benefits of sacrificing them.
The returning mechanic of Bolster from Fate Reforged also contributed to the overall synergy, providing another avenue for strengthening creatures and maintaining board presence.
Dragons of Legend: Notable Cards and Dominant Strategies
Dragons of Tarkir produced a number of incredibly powerful and memorable cards that impacted various formats of Magic: The Gathering.
Dragonlord Ojutai: The Unassailable Dragon
This white and blue dragon became a cornerstone of control strategies, providing a resilient threat that was difficult to remove and capable of quickly closing out games. Its hexproof while tapped made it incredibly difficult to target.
Dragonlord Silumgar: Theft on Wings
Dragonlord Silumgar’s ability to steal a creature or planeswalker upon entering the battlefield made it a devastating threat in control matchups. It provided both card advantage and tempo, allowing players to swing the game in their favor.
Thunderbreak Regent: Aggression from the Sky
Thunderbreak Regent was a powerful aggressive dragon that punished opponents for targeting your dragons. This dragon saw a lot of play in both constructed and limited formats.
Deathmist Raptor & Den Protector: Recurring Value
These two green creatures formed a potent combination, providing recurring value and board presence. Their ability to return from the graveyard made them incredibly resilient threats.
Collected Company: The Creature Floodgate
While not directly dragon-related, Collected Company enabled powerful creature-based strategies, particularly in green and white decks. It allowed players to flood the board with creatures, overwhelming their opponents with sheer numbers.
These cards and others helped shape the metagame, leading to the emergence of several distinct and powerful deck archetypes. “Atarka Red,” fueled by Atarka’s Command, became a dominant force in Standard, showcasing the explosive potential of red and green aggression. Control decks featuring Dragonlord Ojutai and Dragonlord Silumgar controlled the late game.
Drafting With Dragons: Limited Strategies in Tarkir
Dragons of Tarkir offered a rich and rewarding limited environment, where drafting synergistic decks and maximizing the value of dragons was crucial for success. Understanding the color pair synergies and identifying key commons and uncommons was essential for building a winning deck.
Each color pair in Dragons of Tarkir aligned with one of the Dragon Clans, offering distinct strategies and playstyles. Drafting around these synergies could lead to powerful and cohesive decks. For example, Blue/Black (Silumgar) often focused on control and exploiting creatures, while Red/Green (Atarka) prioritized aggressive strategies and overwhelming force.
Identifying key commons and uncommons that supported your chosen strategy was crucial. Efficient removal spells, strong creatures with relevant abilities, and cards that synergized with the set’s mechanics were all valuable assets. Prioritizing dragons in your draft was, of course, essential, but drafting enough support cards to ensure they could thrive was equally important.
The Echoes of Wings: Legacy and Impact
Dragons of Tarkir left a lasting impact on Magic: The Gathering, both in terms of its mechanical innovations and its thematic resonance. The set’s mechanics, such as Megamorph and Rebound, added layers of strategic depth to the game, while its focus on dragons provided a satisfying and engaging thematic experience.
The set helped propel certain archetypes, as mentioned previously, into the constructed landscape. While metas shifted, certain powerful cards created continued ripples across various formats. More than that, the successful execution of the Dragon theme led to future sets exploring similar concepts of creature type focus and mechanical synergy.
The set was well-received by players, praised for its engaging gameplay, compelling lore, and stunning artwork. Dragons of Tarkir demonstrated the enduring appeal of dragons in Magic: The Gathering, solidifying their place as iconic and powerful creatures within the game’s vast multiverse.
Conclusion: The Dragon’s Legacy Endures
Dragons of Tarkir stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of dragons. It reminds us that sometimes, the past is best left undisturbed, and sometimes, it’s best to change it. The set gave players the opportunity to command these magnificent creatures, to unleash their fiery breath upon their opponents, and to experience the thrill of ruling the skies of Tarkir. It offered new mechanics, reintroduced old ones, and supported archetypes that were memorable. This set offered a world where Dragons could, well, truly soar.
