This guide is the seventh and final in a series I am writing to give beginners an easy way to reach 1000+ MMR and beyond. You can use these tips to either reach Silver I very quickly, or to compete for top 20 bronze to earn seasonal DEC rewards.
I will explain all of the cards that you should get to be fully equipped for 95+% of rulesets for dragon monsters. Every time you play any splinter, if you have level 2 or 3 of all these cards, you'll be able to build an S tier meta build in Bronze.
The idea is simple: Rent level 3 copies of all the common cards, level 2 of the rares/epics, and level 1 for the legendary cards. These are the highest levels for Bronze.
Note: Dragon splinter is unusual. It has more summoners than other splinters. It's also very expensive, so many of the cards are unaffordable for most players... Dragons are a flex. I still think it's worth looking at the best cards available and checking the rental markets, you never know when you might find a good deal.
Summoners
Archmage Arius
You probably can't afford this card, but if you can, rent it. An insanely strong card that offers STUPID value for the mana. This card costs the same as Delwyn Dragonscale, even though it does three times as many things.... yeah. It's broken lol
Brighton Bloom
This is a winning summoner for earthquake rulesets. Earthquake does 2 damage per turn to all non-flying monsters, and since Brighton Bloom gives all of your monsters flying, you won't take any damage. This card singlehandedly wins earthquake matches against most opponents.
Delwyn Dragonscale
(note: rent level 2, not 4)
This card is pretty good for using water magic aggro strategies while also having access to the dragon class. +1 magic is very strong, as we discussed in the water guide, and there are some good dragons that work with that strategy.
The only downside to this card is that Archmage Arius exists at the same mana cost and is strictly significantly better. If you're like me and can't afford the Archmage, then Delwyn is a good budget option.
Daria Dragonscale
This is your dragon equivalent to Malric Inferno, offering +1 melee attack for a stacked aggro melee strategy. Works well with robo-dragon knight for super strong melee tank power.
It's nice that this summoner only costs 4 mana, a notable contrast from the 5-cost Delwyn Dragonscale.
Monsters
Black Dragon
With life leech and 2 magic damage, this is another card along the lines of Zalran Efreet or Bila the Radiant. Magic and life leech is a great combination, especially with flying to help avoid a hit or two at the start of the battle.
The biggest downside of this monster is starting with 3 health. That's pretty risky... pair it with even lower health cards like the Furious Chicken or the Ooze so you don't get killed by opportunity monsters too fast.
Diamond Dragon
BIG MAGIC TANK!! This is huge. 16 total health if you include the armor... Only problem is if your opponent is using a magic aggro strategy, your Diamond Dragon will melt away in just a few hits since magic ignores armor.
Dragon Jumper
One of the scariest opportunity monsters in the game. Combine Dragon Jumper with something that boosts its melee attack and you can do 4 melee damage on your opponent's lowest health monster for the first move of the game.
This card has destroyed me several times recently from opponents. They aren't too expensive on the market right now... could be a good value rental even up to Silver league.
Gloridax Soldier
One of the more common dragon cards to see play in Bronze, gloridax soldier uses the shield ability to absorb disproportionate amounts of melee and ranged damage. Just don't try to tank a magic team with this thing.
Gold Dragon
Solid value for seven mana. I wouldn't use this in low mana rulesets since the health is a little low relative to the mana cost, but a great damage dealer to put on the bench for a high mana ruleset especially with a magic-boosting archetype.
Manticore
Solid reach damage and amazing value for only four mana. I don't know how this card offers 11 stat points, reach, and flying all for four mana in bronze league? So strong and an excellent card to fit into almost any ruleset for big value.
Robo-Dragon Knight
My favorite dragon card. Relatively affordable for now and an absolute tank, this puts the Goblin Mech to shame as a strong frontline tank that also deals big damage.
I use this monster at the front of most of my dragon matchups in Bronze and I recommend that you do the same.. it just wins! Even if you come up against a magic attacker who bypasses the armor, you have magic damage reduction. It's hard for your opponent to find any way to counter this card.
Shin-Lo
One magic damage for one mana is good, end of story. It's hard enough to get melee damage for one mana, getting magic is super value. This card is expensive to rent so good luck getting it, but if you do you should use it in most dragon matches.
The Vigilator
Double Strike is a very strong mechanic, all the more so when combined with multiple attack methods. Do long-distance damage with the ranged attacks and then survive to the end so you can do melee damage too.
Insanely strong if you can afford to combine this with Archmage Arius since both ranged and melee attacks get boosted that way.
Conclusion
Dragon class is one of the strongest in the game, but it is expensive. That's how it goes in trading card games.
I recommend renting at least one dragon summoner at level 2 and then also picking up a Robo-Dragon Knight. That's a basic starter kit that you can use, putting the knight in front alongside monsters from another splinter.
Honestly, my best advice is to try and get as many dragons from the next set as you can. Everything from Untamed and earlier is quite expensive now and it's going to be unlikely for most players to afford the best strategies. Again, that's how it goes in trading card games.
I figured it would still be good to make a guide for this class since you will find good opportunities and good deals. Dragon is a complex class since it combines with other splinters, which is what makes it both strong and fun. When you're ready, try to learn it.
This concludes my bronze guide series! I hope these guides have been useful for you on your quest to win big in the bronze leagues of Splinterlands.
