Lightning Helix MTG Card


Indirect card advantage is achieved by simultaneously damaging opponents and boosting your life total. Instant speed provides flexibility, making crucial plays possible at any time during the game. Mana requirements may limit deck options but the utility it brings to gameplay is undeniable.
Card setsReleased in 20 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Lightning Helix deals 3 damage to target creature or player and you gain 3 life.

Though less well-known than its army of soldiers, the Boros Legion's mage-priests are as respected by the innocent as they are hated by the ghosts of the guilty.


Cards like Lightning Helix

Lightning Helix is a solid fixture in the pantheon of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Lightning Strike and Searing Blaze. Like Lightning Strike, Lightning Helix deals 3 damage, but with the significant bonus of gaining 3 life. This additional effect can swing a game, giving the player both an offensive and defensive advantage.

Comparing it to Searing Blaze, another potent option, Lightning Helix lacks Blaze’s potential for dealing damage to both a creature and a player. However, Helix is versatile in its consistency, not requiring landfall to achieve its full effect. There’s also Boros Charm – a multifaceted card that can deal 4 damage to a player. What makes Lightning Helix stand out among these options is its instant speed, allowing life gain that can be pivotal during combat or in response to other spells.

Valuing the impact of spell efficiency and life balance, Lightning Helix holds its ground as a premier card in MTG for its ability to immediately affect health totals while removing threats or directly affecting the end-game.

Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Searing Blaze - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Searing Blaze - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lightning Helix by color, type and mana cost

Captain's Maneuver - MTG Card versions
Flamescroll Celebrant // Revel in Silence - MTG Card versions
Lantern Flare - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Double Cleave - MTG Card versions
Fight to the Death - MTG Card versions
Burning Oil - MTG Card versions
Shattering Blow - MTG Card versions
Aurelia's Fury - MTG Card versions
Martial Glory - MTG Card versions
Ride Down - MTG Card versions
Deflecting Palm - MTG Card versions
Justice Strike - MTG Card versions
Sacred Fire - MTG Card versions
Heartflame Duelist // Heartflame Slash - MTG Card versions
Inventory Management - MTG Card versions
Captain's Maneuver - MTG Card versions
Flamescroll Celebrant // Revel in Silence - MTG Card versions
Lantern Flare - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Double Cleave - MTG Card versions
Fight to the Death - MTG Card versions
Burning Oil - MTG Card versions
Shattering Blow - MTG Card versions
Aurelia's Fury - MTG Card versions
Martial Glory - MTG Card versions
Ride Down - MTG Card versions
Deflecting Palm - MTG Card versions
Justice Strike - MTG Card versions
Sacred Fire - MTG Card versions
Heartflame Duelist // Heartflame Slash - MTG Card versions
Inventory Management - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Lightning Helix. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Jeskai ArtifactsJeskai Artifacts StandardJeskai ArtifactsPro Tour Thunder Junction
Domain RampDomain Ramp StandardDomainPro Tour Thunder Junction
Niv to LightNiv to Light PioneerNiv to LightPioneer League 2024-04-21
Boros BurnBoros Burn ModernBoros BurnModern Challenge 64 2024-04-21
4c Indomitable Creativity4c Indomitable Creativity Pioneer4c Indomitable CreativityPioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-22
Jeskai ControlJeskai Control StandardJeskai ControlStandard Challenge 64 2024-04-21

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Lightning Helix doesn’t directly draw you cards, its 2-for-1 potential in removing an opponent’s creature while increasing your life total can effectively offer you an advantage in the exchange. This kind of indirect card advantage can be pivotal in turning the tide of a game.

Resource Acceleration: Lightning Helix doesn’t provide traditional resource acceleration by adding mana. However, by dealing with threats efficiently for a low mana cost, it allows you to accelerate your game plan in terms of board presence and time, keeping you ahead or pulling you back into the game.

Instant Speed: The flexibility offered by Lightning Helix being an instant cannot be overstated. This allows savvy players to make crucial decisions at the best possible moment, whether that’s disrupting an opponent’s strategy during their turn, saving a creature from destruction, or delivering the final points of damage to win the game out of nowhere.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Lightning Helix does not have a discard requirement, managing resources remains crucial. Not applicable in this case, but always consider the card balance in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Lightning Helix requires both red and white mana, which may restrict deck-building options and is not always easily cast in a multicolored deck without the correct mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of casting Lightning Helix may be seen as steep for a single-target removal and life gain spell, considering other low-cost options in the game that offer similar damage output or healing effects.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lightning Helix is a solid choice that fits into a wide array of decks. Its dual nature of dealing damage while providing life gain makes it a highly adaptable card, suitable for aggressive, control, and midrange strategies alike.

Combo Potential: As an instant, Lightning Helix can synergize with cards that profit from spell casting or life gain. Its ability to remove creatures or direct damage to opponents can also be a crucial part of winning combos or sudden turnarounds in gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: Given its status as a reliable staple in formats like Modern, Lightning Helix can frequently sway games against a variety of popular decks. Its effectiveness in disrupting opponent plays and maintaining life totals ensures its ongoing relevance in the competitive scene.


How to beat

Lightning Helix is a powerful instant in MTG, renowned for its dual ability to deal damage while providing life gain. To effectively counter this card, players should consider the timing and strategic use of their resources. One method is to utilize spells that grant hexproof or shroud to your creatures, thus shielding them from being targeted by such direct damage spells.

Additionally, counter spells serve as a solid defense against Lightning Helix. By keeping mana open, you can disrupt an opponent’s plan at a critical moment. It’s also important to anticipate the common scenarios in which Lightning Helix is most impactful, such as during key combat phases or when you’re at a low life total.

Deck building choices can further help in overcoming the challenges posed by Lightning Helix. Incorporating cards that benefit from life loss, or ones that can capitalize on an opponent casting spells, can turn the tables in your favor. In essence, while Lightning Helix can be a formidable card to face, a well-prepared player with strategic counters and anticipation can nullify its advantages and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is akin to a strategic dance, and Lightning Helix is one of those moves that can add rhythm to your gameplay. This card’s 2-for-1 potential makes it more than just damage and life gain; it’s a spell of opportunity, ready to tip the scales in your favor. With the knowledge of its strengths and weaknesses, and how it compares to similar cards, you’re equipped to make informed decisions for your deck. For tacticians eager to command the battlefield, we extend an invitation: dive deeper into the nuances of Lightning Helix. Empower your MTG experience with us, and turn your strategic insights into victories.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lightning Helix MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Lightning Helix and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lightning Helix Magic the Gathering card was released in 17 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 314872003NormalBlackKev Walker
22005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 2132003NormalBlackKev Walker
32006-01-01Magic Player Rewards 2006P06 72003NormalBlackKev Walker
42009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 902003NormalBlackKev Walker
52011-09-02Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol BolasDDH 232003NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
62013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1792003NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
72014-09-05Duel Decks: Speed vs. CunningDDN 652015NormalBlackKev Walker
82017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 2042015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
92017-11-24Explorers of IxalanE02 392015NormalBlackKev Walker
102018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 902015NormalBlackKev Walker
112019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 14482015NormalBlackKev Walker
122020-09-26The ListPLST GK1-902015NormalBlackKev Walker
132021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 622015NormalBorderlessMinttu Hynninen
142021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 1252015NormalBorderlessDaken
152022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2432015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
162022-11-02Secret Lair 30th Anniversary Countdown KitSLC 20052015NormalBorderlessMartin Ontiveros
172024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1972015NormalBlackKev Walker
182024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3721997NormalBlackKev Walker
192024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 2182015NormalBlackEli Minaya
202024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 4262015NormalBlackEli Minaya

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Helix has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-11-17 If the chosen target is illegal when Lightning Helix tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't gain 3 life.