Dragon's HoardHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Hoard for Every Scale

Dragon's Hoard has two distinct roles on the battlefield. First, it acts as a mana source, providing one mana of any color you choose. Second, it features a triggered ability that triggers whenever a Dragon enters the battlefield under your control. When this happens, you put a gold counter on the Hoard. These counters can be spent later to draw cards, making the Hoard a valuable source of card advantage.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When a Dragon enters the battlefield, Dragon's Hoard's first ability triggers and is put on the stack. Once it resolves, you place a gold counter on the artifact. To use the draw ability, you must tap Dragon's Hoard and remove a gold counter as part of the activation cost. If the Hoard is already tapped, you cannot use it to draw a card or produce mana until it is untapped during your next turn.

Strategic Implementation

You should prioritize playing Dragon's Hoard early to maximize its ramp potential, similar to how you would play other mana-producing artifacts. However, unlike standard mana rocks, you should save your gold counters for moments when your hand is empty or when you are looking for a specific answer. Remember that the gold counters stay on the Hoard even if it is untapped, allowing you to stockpile them for a massive draw later.

Common Pitfalls

One common mistake is forgetting that tapping the artifact is a cost for both the mana ability and the card-draw ability. You cannot tap it for mana and then tap it to draw a card in the same turn unless you have a way to untap it. Additionally, if the Dragon's Hoard is destroyed while the gold counter trigger is on the stack, you won't get to place the counter because the permanent it would be placed on is no longer on the battlefield.

Interaction examples

Mana Fixing and Ramp

Arcane Signet

If you have both Dragon's Hoard and Arcane Signet on the battlefield, you have access to two sources of mana ramp. While Arcane Signet is limited by your commander's color identity, Dragon's Hoard can produce any color of mana regardless of your deck's restrictions, helping you cast high-cost Dragons more reliably.

Protecting the Investment

Swiftfoot Boots

While Swiftfoot Boots provides Haste and Hexproof to a creature, it does not protect your Dragon's Hoard. However, giving a newly played Dragon Haste with the Boots allows you to attack immediately while Dragon's Hoard simultaneously gains a gold counter from that Dragon entering the battlefield, maximizing your turn's efficiency.

Solo Value

With only Dragon's Hoard on the field, you can choose to tap it for one mana of any color during your main phase to help cast your spells. If you already have gold counters on it from previous turns, you can instead choose to tap it and remove a counter during your opponent's end step to draw a card, ensuring you have a fresh hand for your next turn.