Overview

Draconic Destruction is a Dragon deck that wants to cast huge flyers quickly and attack with them. Atarka, World Render is a seven-mana Dragon with flying and trample, and whenever a Dragon you control attacks, it gains double strike until end of turn. A single attack with a big Dragon can therefore deal a lot of damage.

The 99 cards are 28 creatures, 1 planeswalker, 7 artifacts, 6 enchantments, 8 instants, 9 sorceries and 40 lands. 20 of the creatures are Dragons, backed by cost reducers such as Dragonlord's Servant and Dragonspeaker Shaman, ramp creatures like Draconic Disciple and Sakura-Tribe Elder, and lands such as Haven of the Spirit Dragon that help you cast and recast Dragons. Several Dragons deal damage when they enter or attack, so the deck can also win through burn.

Key Cards

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Scourge of Valkas
Damage Engine · Firebreather
A 4/4 for {2}{R}{R}{R}. It has flying, and whenever it or another Dragon you control enters, it deals X damage to any target, where X is the number of Dragons you control. For {R} it gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
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Drakuseth, Maw of Flames
Finisher · Burn
A 7/7 for {4}{R}{R}{R}. It has flying, and whenever it attacks, it deals 4 damage to any target and 3 damage to each of up to two other targets. Atarka also gives it double strike, so an attack with it can end a game.
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Crucible of Fire
Anthem
An enchantment for {3}{R}. Dragon creatures you control get +3/+3. In a deck with 20 Dragons it turns every flyer into a much larger threat for four mana.
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Dragonspeaker Shaman
Cost Reducer
A 2/2 for {1}{R}{R}. Dragon spells you cast cost {2} less. It lets you cast Dragons with mana values of five, six and seven a turn or two earlier, and it combines with Dragonlord's Servant.

Playing the Deck

The early game is about mana and cost reducers. Draconic Disciple and Drumhunter ramp, Sakura-Tribe Elder and Cultivate fetch lands, Sol Ring, Arcane Signet and Talisman of Impulse help with mana, and Dragonlord's Servant, Dragonspeaker Shaman and Dragonmaster Outcast set up the Dragons. Furnace Whelp and Verix Bladewing are cheaper Dragons that come down early.

The middle of the game is about stacking Dragons and getting value. Scourge of Valkas, Thundermaw Hellkite, Thunderbreak Regent and Rapacious Dragon all do something when they enter or are targeted, Dragon Tempest and Dragon's Hoard reward every Dragon, and Savage Ventmaw adds six mana when it attacks. Harbinger of the Hunt can deal damage to each creature without flying, which hits your opponents' ground creatures without hurting your Dragons.

The late game is about huge Dragons and burn. Drakuseth, Maw of Flames, Tyrant's Familiar and Steel Hellkite finish games, Akoum Hellkite pings on every land drop, Magmaquake clears the ground while your Dragons stay in the air, Sweltering Suns and Chain Reaction reset the board, and Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker becomes a 4/4 flying Dragon each turn with its plus ability. Primal Might and Provoke the Trolls deal with blockers and attackers.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths: The deck has a high density of powerful flyers, plenty of damage triggers and ramp, and several ways to clear the ground while leaving its Dragons in the air, such as Magmaquake and Harbinger of the Hunt. It also has solid answers and protection in Beast Within, Spit Flame, Blossoming Defense and Swiftfoot Boots.

Weaknesses: Most of the Dragons are expensive, so a slow draw or a lack of ramp can leave you holding cards. Spot removal or sweepers that hit flyers hurt a deck that depends on the Dragons.

Want to improve it? See the Draconic Destruction upgrade guide: seven swaps with the data behind each one.

Verdict
Draconic Destruction is a straightforward and powerful Dragon deck that does what its name promises: cast big flyers, attack with double strike and let the damage triggers finish the game. It is a great choice for players who love Dragons and want a deck that is easy to learn.

Want to see what a fully optimised Atarka, World Render build looks like? Try the Oracle.

✦ Build with The Oracle

Frequently Asked Questions

What cards are in the Draconic Destruction decklist?
The Draconic Destruction precon is a 100-card Commander deck led by Atarka, World Render. The full Draconic Destruction decklist, with every card, current prices and a button to copy the list into your deck builder, is on this page.

When was Draconic Destruction released?
Draconic Destruction was released on December 2, 2022 as part of Starter Commander Decks.

Who is the commander of Draconic Destruction?
Draconic Destruction is led by Atarka, World Render, a Gruul (R/G) legendary creature.

How many creatures are in Draconic Destruction?
The 99 cards besides Atarka, World Render include 28 creatures.

How many lands does Draconic Destruction have?
Draconic Destruction has 40 lands in the 99 cards besides Atarka, World Render, including basic lands.

Full Decklist

All 100 cards from the out-of-the-box Draconic Destruction precon, with current prices. Click any card to expand it.

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