Dalek DroneHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Dalek Drone is a 3/3 artifact creature with Flying and Menace, making it exceptionally difficult to block since it requires at least two flying or reach creatures to stop it. Its core strength lies in the 'Exterminate!' triggered ability, which triggers immediately when it enters the battlefield. This ability allows you to target a creature controlled by an opponent, destroy it, and force that player to lose 3 life.

How It Resolves

When Dalek Drone enters the battlefield, you choose a target creature an opponent controls. If that creature is a legal target when the ability attempts to resolve, it is destroyed. Even if the creature cannot be destroyed (for example, if it has indestructible), the target's controller will still lose 3 life. If the target becomes illegal before the ability resolves (such as gaining hexproof or leaving the battlefield), the entire ability fails and no life is lost.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is forgetting that the life loss is tied to the creature's controller, not the creature itself. Additionally, because the ability uses the word 'destroy,' it can be prevented by regeneration or indestructible effects, though the 3 life loss will still occur in those specific cases. Also, remember that Dalek Drone is an artifact creature, meaning it is vulnerable to both creature removal and artifact destruction spells.

When to Play It

Dalek Drone is best deployed when your opponent has a single, high-value blocker or a threat that prevents you from attacking. Because of its Menace and Flying, removing one of their few eligible blockers often guarantees that the Dalek Drone (or your other creatures) can strike the opponent directly. It is also an excellent tool for closing out games where the opponent is low on life.

Interaction examples

Double Extermination

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Dalek' chosen as the creature type, Dalek Drone's 'Exterminate!' ability will trigger an additional time when it enters. You can target two different creatures or the same creature twice. The opponent will lose a total of 6 life (3 life per trigger).

Removing Blockers

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent controls a Solemn Simulacrum and you cast Dalek Drone, you can target the Simulacrum with the 'Exterminate!' trigger. The Simulacrum is destroyed, the opponent loses 3 life, and then the opponent may draw a card from the Simulacrum's death trigger. This clears the way for Dalek Drone to attack safely on the next turn.