Hellkite Tyrant MTG Card


Hellkite Tyrant’s ability to steal artifacts can significantly shift card advantage in your favor. Accelerates resource gain by capturing opponent’s mana rocks and other valuable artifacts. Armed with impactful abilities, the Tyrant can lay the groundwork for a surprise victory.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying,Trample
Power 6
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying, trample Whenever Hellkite Tyrant deals combat damage to a player, gain control of all artifacts that player controls. At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control twenty or more artifacts, you win the game.


Cards like Hellkite Tyrant

The Hellkite Tyrant card stands out in MTG for its unique ability to sweep up artifacts. It’s similar to the likes of Bosh, Iron Golem, which also interacts with artifacts; however, Hellkite Tyrant takes it to another level by not only using artifacts to cause damage but also granting you winning potential if you gather enough of them. On the other hand, Bosh, Iron Golem, requires sacrificing artifacts, offering a different kind of resource management challenge.

Mycosynth Golem presents an alternative interaction with artifacts, allowing free casting of artifact creatures. While it doesn’t directly snatch artifacts or pave a path to victory like Hellkite Tyrant, it can significantly alter gameplay by reducing costs to zero. In contrast, Hellkite Tyrant’s mix of theft and direct path to win the game through its ability—accumulating twenty or more artifacts—is unmatched.

Ultimately, each of these MTG cards has its strengths when it comes to manipulating and exploiting artifacts. Still, Hellkite Tyrant’s combination of offensive power, control, and alternative win condition lends it a unique position within the pantheon of artifact-centric cards.

Bosh, Iron Golem - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Golem - MTG Card versions
Bosh, Iron Golem - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Golem - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Hellkite Tyrant by color, type and mana cost

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Firestorm Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Crater Hellion - MTG Card versions
Callous Giant - MTG Card versions
Halam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Bloodshot Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Worldgorger Dragon - MTG Card versions
Two-Headed Dragon - MTG Card versions
Iron-Barb Hellion - MTG Card versions
Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Akki - MTG Card versions
Ronin Cavekeeper - MTG Card versions
Oni of Wild Places - MTG Card versions
Thundermare - MTG Card versions
Pardic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Fiend - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - MTG Card versions
Sunrise Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hellkite Tyrant’s ability to steal artifacts upon dealing combat damage to a player can overwhelmingly tip the scale of card advantage in your favor. Not only does this disrupt your opponent’s artifact-based strategies, but it also potentially adds numerous valuable resources to your side of the battlefield without depleting your hand.

Resource Acceleration: By gaining control of your opponent’s artifacts, Hellkite Tyrant can significantly accelerate your resources, especially if those artifacts are mana rocks or other forms of ramp. This transfer of resources can catapult your game state ahead, allowing for more impactful plays much sooner than usual.

Instant Speed: While Hellkite Tyrant itself isn’t cast at instant speed, its triggered ability takes effect during the combat phase and can sometimes feel like a sudden instant-speed swing in your favor, similar to instant speed interactions. Moreover, any artifacts with activated abilities that you gain control of may be used at instant speed, potentially creating unexpected opportunities during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Hellkite Tyrant doesn’t require a discard, gathering the necessary number of artifacts to trigger its win condition can have a similar depleting effect on your hand and battlefield resources, making sustainable strategic plays more challenging.

Specific Mana Cost: Hellkite Tyrant demands a precise mana combination of red and six additional resources, which can be restrictive for decks not tailored to produce a large amount of varied mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, including red, Hellkite Tyrant’s entry onto the battlefield comes later in the game, potentially after opponents have established their defenses or accumulated removal spells to counter its presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hellkite Tyrant is a dynamic addition to decks focusing on artifact manipulation, acting as both a win condition and a powerful board presence. Its ability to seize your opponent’s treasures makes it adaptable against a variety of strategies.

Combo Potential: With the Tyrant’s ability to collect artifacts, it fits seamlessly into synergistic combos, particularly with cards that mass-produce artifacts, setting up for an alternative win condition by amassing 20 or more.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts are prevalent, Hellkite Tyrant shines by not only disrupting opponents’ artifact schemes but also turning their resources into your advantage, making it a potent card in the right meta.


How to beat

Confronting the Hellkite Tyrant on the battlefield presents a unique challenge many players face in their MTG matches. This formidable card not only poses a significant threat with its ability to seize control of your artifacts but also has the potential to end the game in your opponent’s favor if they accumulate enough of them. The key to defeating this dragon is by implementing preemptive strategies and having responsive plays up your sleeve. Swift removal spells are paramount; options like Swords to Plowshares can exile it before it has a chance to wreak havoc. Artifact removal can also stifle Hellkite Tyrant’s win condition—try aligning cards like Abrade or Kasmina’s Transmutation in your deck to counteract the Tyrant’s strategy.

Another effective technique is to limit the number of artifacts on your field. This minimizes the impact of the Tyrant’s theft ability and diminishes the route to its alternate win condition. Moreover, employing instant-speed interaction allows you to disrupt the Tyrant’s attack phase, which is when its threatening ability triggers. Ultimately, preparedness and smart deck construction are your best defenses against Hellkite Tyrant’s game-changing abilities, ensuring you’re ready to nullify the threat swiftly.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG is all about understanding the strengths and vulnerabilities of powerful cards like Hellkite Tyrant. From understanding the unmatched theft and resource acceleration it brings, to knowing how to dampen its battlefield dominance, each insight you gain is a step towards your next triumph. Whether you’re fine-tuning your deck to utilize the Tyrant’s abilities or devising strategies to counter it, knowledge is your greatest weapon. So, gather your wits and let us delve deeper into the fascinating dynamics of this game-changing dragon. Enhance your gameplay with our insights and strategies to reign supreme in your MTG encounters.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hellkite Tyrant MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Commander 2016, 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 Hellkite Tyrant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Hellkite Tyrant Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-02-01GatecrashGTC 942003NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1282015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
32021-04-23Commander 2021C21 1722015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
42024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3331997NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
52024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 333z2015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
62024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1112015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
72024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 4282015NormalBorderlessIshikawa Kenta

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hellkite Tyrant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-01-24 If you don’t control twenty or more artifacts at the beginning of your upkeep, Hellkite Tyrant’s last ability won’t trigger. If it does trigger, it will check again when it tries to resolve. If you don’t control twenty or more artifacts at that time, the ability will do nothing.