Knollspine Dragon's ability checks only whether damage was dealt. It doesn't care whether the player's life total also changed for other reasons (such as if the player paid life or gained life). For example, if an opponent was dealt 4 damage and gained 6 life during the turn, that player will have a higher life total than they started the turn with — but Knollspine Dragon's ability will let you discard your hand and draw four cards.
This ability counts the total amount of damage (both combat and noncombat) dealt to the targeted opponent by all sources (including ones you controlled and ones you didn't) over the course of the turn. Damage that was prevented or replaced doesn't count. Damage that resolved but didn't cause loss of life (due to Worship, for example) will count.
You target an opponent when the ability triggers. You don't decide whether you want to discard and draw until the ability resolves.
Last observed on Scryfall 2 months ago at $55.66. Over the trailing 90 days the price moved between $0.02 and $56.00 across 46 observations. Cross-checked across TCGplayer, eBay sold, Cardmarket EU, and Star City.
This printing is one of 3 catalogued treatments from SHM — the lineup includes Foil and Nonfoil alongside the standard finish. Across our catalog the Rarix library tracks every variant in the same family so collectors can compare price, scarcity and demand inside a single lineage.
Card #98 of *Shadowmoor*, the set that shipped alongside the May 2008 Shadowmoor release.
Card type: Creature — Dragon, color identity red, printed at rare. Rares occupy the bottom-of-pack rare slot in standard boosters. Mana cost: {5}{R}{R} (7 converted). Keyword abilities: Flying.
Legal in Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander.
EDHrec ranks this card #4,374 in Commander, putting it in the niche-pick tier of the format's playable pool.
Illustrated by Steve Prescott. Rarix catalogs 946 other cards credited to this artist.
Magic: The Gathering · ™ & © Wizards of the Coast · Illus. Steve Prescott
Card data via Scryfall. Rarix is fan-made; not endorsed by the rights holders.
