less to cast, where X is the greatest number of artifacts an opponent controls.
.Cavern-Hoard Dragon becomes cheaper as an opponent builds an artifact collection. Its discount uses the greatest number of artifacts controlled by a single opponent, reducing the generic part of its nine-mana cost. Flying, trample, and haste then give it a chance to attack immediately and recover resources through its combat-damage trigger.
When it connects with a player, you create a Treasure for each artifact that player controls. The opponent who supplied the largest casting discount is not automatically the player you must attack. Choose a target by combining their artifact count with your chances of connecting and surviving the response. A smaller but accessible Treasure payout can be better than attacking into an unfavorable defense for a larger theoretical reward.
Token-heavy artifact boards can make the Dragon especially efficient, since Treasures, Clues, and similar tokens count alongside ordinary artifacts. The discount still leaves the required red mana symbols, and a change in artifact counts before you cast can alter the expected cost. Once you determine and pay the cost, later changes do not retroactively change it. The Dragon is most appealing when opponents regularly develop artifacts and your deck can use the Treasure burst for a strong follow-up. In games without those opposing resources, it remains an expensive creature, so support it with a mana plan that does not assume the maximum discount every time.
