Territorial Hellkite MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying,Haste
Power 6
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides aggressive aerial attacks and unpredictability, adding a strategic edge to gameplay.
  2. Demands specific deck considerations given its unique attacking clause and mana cost.
  3. Can fit into various red-themed strategies, enhancing combo potential and board impact.

Text of card

Flying, haste At the beginning of combat on your turn, choose an opponent at random that Territorial Hellkite didn't attack during your last combat. Territorial Hellkite attacks that player this combat if able. If you can't choose an opponent this way, tap Territorial Hellkite.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Territorial Hellkite presents a unique take on card advantage by potentially filtering through multiple opponents’ defenses each turn it attacks. Though you don’t directly draw cards, maneuvering into a position where the Hellkite can attack players without blockers can indirectly equate to card advantage by keeping your aerial threat uncontested on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Territorial Hellkite itself doesn’t ramp or produce additional mana, its four mana for a 6/5 flyer is an efficient cost-to-power ratio that can accelerate your offensive resources. It can quickly become an overwhelming presence that demands answers, allowing you to maintain pressure and lead the game tempo.

Instant Speed: While the Hellkite is a creature, its attack trigger has the potential to disrupt during the combat phase unpredictably. This element of surprise can serve a similar role to instant speed interactions, by compelling your opponent to keep mana open or rethink their strategies, ultimately providing a tactical advantage that goes beyond the main phases of play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Territorial Hellkite requires precise deck handling due to its attack-triggered ability. While not a discard effect per se, strategically, you have to plan your turns considering the random element of choosing an opponent. This can feel similar to a discard requirement, presenting a risk of not matching your desired target and potentially hitting a less optimal one.

Specific Mana Cost: The Territorial Hellkite card has a red-specific mana cost, requiring two red mana to cast. This can restrict its inclusion to decks heavily invested in red or those with robust mana fixing capabilities, reducing its flexibility and potentially hindering your deck’s color balance.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While four mana for a 6/5 flyer with haste is an aggressive play, the Territorial Hellkite’s necessity for consistent attacking as per its duality clause means it may compare unfavorably in terms of setup to other creatures at a similar cost, particularly in situations when an unpredictable assault could be a setback rather than a strategic advancement.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Territorial Hellkite offers dynamic gameplay and can serve as a powerful flying threat in various red-based decks. Its adaptability in dealing with a range of situations makes it a valuable asset for aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: Targeted at players who love synergistic deck-building, Territorial Hellkite works well with cards that manipulate attack triggers or benefit from creatures with haste. Its potential for quick, impactful damage aligns with combo strategies that capitalize on speed and surprise.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the board state can often be cluttered with numerous creatures, the Hellkite’s ability to clear a path or finish games can be crucial. Its relevance in the current meta can’t be overstated, as it deters opponents from overextending — maintaining a dynamic that favors swift and decisive plays.


How to beat

The Territorial Hellkite is a formidable flying dragon in Magic: The Gathering that brings a swift and potentially devastating impact to the battlefield. This creature excites players with its hasty attacks, but can be a double-edged sword with its attack-triggered ability, requiring careful handling. Unlike the docile dragons that might slumber on your board, the Territorial Hellkite demands to be in the thick of the action, attacking each turn if able.

Overcoming this flying threat calls for strategic choices. Utilizing removal spells that can target creatures—preferably before the Hellkite gets a chance to attack—is a solid strategy to mitigate the damage. Unconditional removal spells, such as ‘Terminate,’ or those that can destroy a creature at instant speed, such as ‘Path to Exile,’ offer reliable solutions. Alternatively, enchantments like ‘Pacifism’ can neutralize it without triggering its attack requirement. For those who prefer a more strategic approach, cards that manipulate combat, like ‘Maze of Ith’, can prevent the Hellkite from inflicting damage while it’s on the offensive.

Navigating around cards like Territorial Hellkite relies on a combination of keen timing and the right control tools. With these in mind, you can tame the fire-breathing beast and turn the tide of the duel in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Are you ready to harness the power of Territorial Hellkite in your MTG collection? It’s the card that brings excitement to every match with its robust presence and aerial agility. If your strategy revolves around impact and efficiency, the Territorial Hellkite can serve as a cornerstone in your red-based decks. Its surprise factor and offense-oriented design make for a thrilling gameplay experience. For players looking to dominate the skies and maintain an aggressive stance in the meta, including this dragon can provide that extra edge. Enhance your understanding and skill set; dive into the strategic depths of the MTG with us and make every duel count.


Cards like Territorial Hellkite

Territorial Hellkite brings a dynamic twist to the realm of dragon creatures within Magic: The Gathering, fluttering out with a powerful entry as a 6/5 flyer. This card stands shoulder to shoulder with other ferocious fliers such as Stormbreath Dragon, both blazing through for hasty damage to opponents. However, Territorial Hellkite’s uniqueness unfolds with its attack-triggered ability, requiring a randomness in its choice of opponents — a stark contrast to the more control-based targeting of Stormbreath Dragon.

Diving deeper into the dragon lair, Thundermaw Hellkite also roars into the conversation. It also swiftly deals damage with haste and has a clear path thanks to its tap down flying creatures ability. Yet, the Territorial Hellkite, with its potentially alternating attack targets, often escapes common defensive setups, forging a new path in the strategy for aerial dominance.

Understanding these interactions and nuances, Territorial Hellkite claims its own sky within Magic: The Gathering’s vast draconic lineage. With its innate unpredictability and formidable power, it ignites a different kind of fiery excitement in games for dragon enthusiasts and strategic players alike.

Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Stormbreath Dragon - Theros (THS)
Thundermaw Hellkite - Magic 2013 (M13)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Territorial Hellkite MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2017, 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 Territorial Hellkite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Territorial Hellkite Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Jonas De Ro.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 656912015normalblackJonas De Ro
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 292015normalblackJonas De Ro
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 8092015normalblackJonas De Ro

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Territorial Hellkite has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-08-25 If Territorial Hellkite can't attack the chosen player, it's free to attack any other player or planeswalker or to not attack. If there's a cost associated with attacking the chosen player, it's free to attack any other player or planeswalker or to not attack. But if there's a cost associated with Territorial Hellkite attacking at all, Territorial Hellkite has to attack the chosen player or not attack.
2017-08-25 If Territorial Hellkite didn't attack during your last combat, most likely because it was tapped or you didn't control it at that time, then any opponent can be chosen at random.
2017-08-25 If a player can't be attacked, that player can still be chosen at random.
2017-08-25 Players may cast spells and activate abilities after a player is chosen at random for Territorial Hellkite but before it attacks that player.
2017-08-25 Territorial Hellkite must attack the chosen player if able, not a planeswalker that player controls.

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