Heliod's Intervention MTG Card


Provides a scalable, instant-speed response to multiple threats, increasing deck versatility. Its white mana requirement and higher cost demand careful deck integration and mana management. Counters and non-reliance on enchantments/artifacts mitigate the Intervention’s impact.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Choose one — • Destroy X target artifacts and/or enchantments. • Target player gains twice X life.

"I bring a dawn that no night can follow."


Cards like Heliod's Intervention

Heliod’s Intervention shines in the realm of utility cards in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to the versatile nature of cards like Austere Command, which provides options to destroy artifacts and enchantments, Heliod’s Intervention is distinct in its scalability and instant speed. While Austere Command presents a fixed set of options and costs, Heliod’s Intervention allows players to tailor the effect to their current mana availability and desired impact.

Similarly, we can look to cards such as Return to Dust, which exiles up to two target artifacts and/or enchantments. Although this demonstrates a powerful effect, Heliod’s Intervention has the advantage of not being confined to just two targets, thereby offering potential for greater board impact. Then there’s Disenchant, a staple in dealing with individual threats. Both Return to Dust and Disenchant are at sorcery speed, which highlights Heliod’s Intervention’s instant speed advantage, providing flexibility and surprise factor during an opponent’s turn.

When comparing Heliod’s Intervention to these related cards in terms of adaptability and board control potential, it becomes clear why this card is an asset in any MTG player’s deck, especially in a meta-game where artifacts and enchantments are prominent.

Austere Command - MTG Card versions
Return to Dust - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Austere Command - MTG Card versions
Return to Dust - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Heliod's Intervention by color, type and mana cost

Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
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Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
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Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Celestial Purge - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Razor Barrier - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
Eye for an Eye - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blow - MTG Card versions
Sacred Boon - MTG Card versions
Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Celestial Purge - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Razor Barrier - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Heliod’s Intervention enables players to potentially deal with multiple threats at once, offering a significant advantage by dismantling an opponent’s board presence. Whether it’s artifacts or enchantments that are giving you trouble, this card provides a customized solution to tip the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although it does not directly accelerate resources, the flexible X cost allows players to scale their response according to the available mana. This scalability ensures that Heliod’s Intervention remains a relevant spell at any stage of the game, potentially saving vital mana for other crucial plays.

Instant Speed: Acting at instant speed offers strategic versatility, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn. Wait for the opportune moment to maximize the impact of Heliod’s Intervention, catching opponents off-guard and disrupting their well-laid plans.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Heliod’s Intervention doesn’t directly ask for a card to be discarded, it’s important to consider your hand when playing this card. The utility of Heliod’s Intervention may force you to forego playing other vital cards in a turn, which could indirectly result in a discard-like disadvantage if it throws off your strategic balance.

Specific Mana Cost: Heliod’s Intervention requires white mana, which may not always align seamlessly with multicolored decks or those that heavily lean on another color. As a result, the card might not fit into every deck’s mana base as smoothly as more flexible cards would.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an X cost plus one white and one colorless mana, the cost of Heliod’s Intervention can climb steeply, especially if you’re aiming for a significant impact. This can put a strain on your mana resources, and there are instances when the mana invested into casting Heliod’s Intervention may not match the value of enchantments and artifacts you aim to destroy or the life you intend to gain, particularly against more aggressive or low-curve strategies.


Reasons to Include Heliod’s Intervention in Your Collection

Versatility: Heliod’s Intervention shines in its flexibility. This card can handle multiple scenarios with ease, whether you’re targeting enchantments or artifacts to destroy or gaining life to stay ahead. The card scales with the game’s progression, making it a useful addition at any stage.

Combo Potential: For those who love crafting intricate combos, Heliod’s Intervention fits perfectly. It can be a strategic part of life gain decks, pairing with cards that trigger effects upon life gain or the destruction of permanents, setting up potential game-winning interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-changing landscape of competitive play, this card has proven itself as a strong contender in various metagames. With a rise in artifact and enchantment-based strategies, having Heliod’s Intervention ready ensures you have a response to dominant deck types, keeping your collection competitive.


How to beat

Heliod’s Intervention has earned a reputation as a versatile and powerful tool in Magic: The Gathering, particularly for its dual utility in life gain and artifact/enchantment removal. To outmaneuver this card, players need to anticipate the timing and impact it can have on the board. Since it’s an instant, opponents often use it during your turn, disrupting your strategy with sudden life gain or by removing key permanents.

One effective method to counter this intervention is through negation spells or abilities that can counteract instant spells. This approach can nullify the card before it takes effect, essentially wasting the opponent’s mana and efforts. Alternatively, focusing on strategies that are less reliant on artifacts and enchantments can diminish the impact of Heliod’s Intervention, forcing opponents to use the card only for its less efficient life-gain option.

Moreover, implementing graveyard retrieval mechanics can help recover important artifacts or enchantments removed by the intervention, maintaining pressure and momentum despite your opponent’s play. Ultimately, understanding the potential scenarios in which Heliod’s Intervention might be deployed will guide your decisions and help maintain the upper hand in the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Harnessing the power of Heliod’s Intervention in your MTG deck can significantly broaden your control over the battlefield. With its flexibility to address multiple threats or gain life when you most need it, this card is a vital tool for many strategies. While considering its introduction to your deck, assess the synergy with your existing setup and the typical challenges you encounter in your play environment. Whether it’s a part of your main deck or a strategic inclusion in your sideboard, Heliod’s Intervention demands consideration for any player looking to stay competitive. Explore further how to optimize your deck with this versatile card and secure your next victory with knowledge and preparation.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Heliod's Intervention MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros Beyond Death Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Heliod's Intervention and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Heliod's Intervention Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Daarken.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 799032015NormalBlackDaarken
22020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 19p2015NormalBlackDaarken
32020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 19s2015NormalBlackDaarken
42020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 192015NormalBlackDaarken
52020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 3002015NormalBlackDaarken
62024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 812015NormalBlackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Heliod's Intervention has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Heliod's Intervention card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-01-24 The second mode of Heliod’s Intervention causes the player to gain one amount of life equal to twice X. It doesn’t cause the player to gain X life then gain X life again.