Cinder Hellion MTG Card

Cinder Hellion offers a tactical edge by compelling opponents to use their removal spells early on. Its entry effect poses a threat to smaller creatures, tilting resource balance in your favor. Supporting instant speed plays, the Hellion bolsters strategies that rely on quick interactions.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Hellion
Abilities Trample
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Trample When Cinder Hellion enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to target opponent.

Chandra used jets of flame to lure hellions into the path of oncoming Eldrazi.

Cards like Cinder Hellion

Cinder Hellion brings explosive energy to the battlefield, similar to other fiery creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Like its kin, Ember Hauler, which offers a direct damage ability upon sacrifice, Cinder Hellion arrives with an instant impact – dealing damage as it enters the fray. However, Ember Hauler’s lower casting cost means it can hit the board earlier in the game, granting strategic advantages in certain situations.

Another comparable card is Barrage Tyrant, which also leverages the theme of dealing damage through creature abilities. Barrage Tyrant exerts its power by sacrificing other creatures to fling at opponents. While the Tyrant requires more setup to unleash its full potential, Cinder Hellion’s straightforward entrance damage is reliable and immediate. Then there’s Akoum Hellkite, which interacts with landfall to deal damage. Unlike Cinder Hellion, Akoum Hellkite’s damage output scales with land plays, becoming more potent as the game progresses.

Taking into account the ease of dealing damage and the mana cost, Cinder Hellion holds a spot in decks seeking to balance immediate board presence with impactful creature abilities. Its presence in a game can swiftly swing momentum in a player’s favor, making it a noteworthy choice among red creature cards.

Ember Hauler - MTG Card versions
Barrage Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Akoum Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Ember Hauler - MTG Card versions
Barrage Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Akoum Hellkite - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although the Cinder Hellion isn’t a direct source of card advantage in the traditional sense, it provides value by offering a significant threat on the board. Its presence can force opponents to use their removal spells, potentially freeing up your other creatures or key spells to shine, indirectly leading to a card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Whilst Cinder Hellion doesn’t accelerate resources in terms of adding mana, it packs an immediate impact that comes from its ability to deal damage when it enters the battlefield. This can be leveraged to clear out smaller creatures, putting the opponent at a resource disadvantage.

Instant Speed: Cinder Hellion itself may not have instant speed capabilities, but its entrance effect can complement instant speed interactions. By pressuring the opponent’s life total and board presence, the Hellion can support a strategy that relies on instant speed removal and combat tricks, allowing for more decisive and potentially game-winning turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players eager to unleash the fiery might of Cinder Hellion, be prepared to trade off cards from your hand. This requirement could see you discarding valuable spells or creatures that might be pivotal for your strategy later on, especially if you’re running low on options.

Specific Mana Cost: If you’re looking to add Cinder Hellion to your deck, note that it demands a specific blend of mana—specifically red. This can potentially restrict its compatibility, primarily if you’re piloting a multicolored deck where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its formidable presence, the Cinder Hellion comes with a demanding mana cost. In the competitive landscape of MTG, where tempo and efficiency can dictate the outcome of a duel, the investment of five mana for a 4/4 creature may not always align with an optimal game plan, particularly when there are other creatures or spells that could offer greater impact for the same or a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cinder Hellion is a solid choice for red decks looking for a blend of aggression and direct damage. Its ability to inflict damage upon entering the battlefield allows it to serve multiple roles within various deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: The enter-the-battlefield effect deals 2 damage to a player or planeswalker, which can be increased or repeated through flicker and reanimation strategies, effectively turning Cinder Hellion into a repeatable source of damage.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where planeswalkers frequently take the stage, Cinder Hellion’s targeted damage can play a pivotal role in keeping opposing strategies in check, while also providing a sizeable creature presence on the board.

How to beat

Cinder Hellion is a fiery creature card that brings a noticeable impact to the board in Magic: The Gathering. Its immediate effect upon entering the battlefield inflicts damage, potentially swaying the game’s momentum. To strategize against this hellish adversary, it’s crucial to have a plan in place. To prevent or mitigate the damage dealt by Cinder Hellion, consider using instant-speed removal spells that can be played in response to the Hellion’s cast before it has an opportunity to attack and trigger its ability. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile are efficient options for this purpose.

Moreover, positioning chump blockers can absorb the impact from this trampler while you set up for a favorable trade or a clean board wipe. Early disruption can be vital, so cards like Thoughtseize or Duress to strip this menacing threat from your opponent’s hand are also effective tools. Ensnaring Bridge is yet another powerful artifact that can keep Cinder Hellion and other creatures of higher power from attacking.

Ultimately, smart mana management and keeping control of the board state through the many options MTG provides will turn the tides against Cinder Hellion. Understanding your deck’s strengths and maintaining card advantage will help ensure that Cinder Hellion’s entrance is nothing more than a fleeting spark against your strategy.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cinder Hellion MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Mystery Booster, 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 Cinder Hellion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cinder Hellion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Jason Kang.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-01-22Oath of the GatewatchOGW 1052015NormalBlackJason Kang
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 8882015NormalBlackJason Kang
32020-09-26The ListPLST OGW-1052015NormalBlackJason Kang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cinder Hellion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal