Hellkite Punisher MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2020-07-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2021 |
| Set code | M21 |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 151 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Andrey Kuzinskiy |
Key Takeaways
- Hellkite Punisher can turn mana reserves into powerful late-game attacks, influencing combat outcomes significantly.
- Its specific mana needs may limit deck variety, favoring red-centric or dragon-themed strategies for inclusion.
- The card’s flexibility in damage output and meta relevance make it a worthy addition to collections targeting aerial superiority.
Text of card
Flying : Hellkite Punisher gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
"We'll pay no more tribute to that tyrannical lizard. A new age starts today!" —Mayor Kadrim, now deceased
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hellkite Punisher doesn’t offer direct card advantage, but its formidable presence on the battlefield can force multiple opponents to use their resources to handle it, effectively skewing the resource battle in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While Hellkite Punisher itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its sheer power can rapidly reduce the time you need to secure victory, freeing up your mana to be used for other threats or answers in the later game stages.
Instant Speed: Although Hellkite Punisher operates at sorcery speed due to being a creature, its ability to deal damage can be activated at instant speed. This provides flexibility in managing threats or applying pressure during an opponent’s turn, keeping them on the defensive and often unable to commit to an all-out attack.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hellkite Punisher does not have a discard requirement, but its high mana cost means players might need to prematurely shed valuable cards to ramp up their resources, potentially leading to a disadvantageous position.
Specific Mana Cost: This dragon’s casting cost not only requires a substantial amount of energy with a total of seven mana but also commits to a specific color, demanding six generic and one red. This specificity might restrict its integration, fitting primarily into red-based or dragon-centric decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other creatures and spells in the game that offer considerable board impact for less mana, the seven required to summon this winged behemoth can be a significant setback, particularly when facing decks that accelerate rapidly or deploy threats at a lower cost curve.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hellkite Punisher’s flying ability enables it to soar over ground-based defenses, making it a powerful addition to any deck looking for a robust finisher. Its scalable fire-breathing effect allows for flexible damage output, adapting to various in-game situations.
Combo Potential: This dragon can significantly benefit from spell-based strategies that increase mana availability. By accumulating mana, you can amplify the fire-breathing ability for a formidable strike, potentially finishing off opponents in a single combat phase.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where players are prepared for multitudes of creature-based threats, Hellkite Punisher’s aerial offensive capabilities and the potential for sudden high-powered attacks keep it relevant. It serves as a threat that must be answered, suiting it well for current metagames filled with midrange and control decks.
How to beat
The Hellkite Punisher is a formidable flying dragon that can dominate the late game in Magic: The Gathering. Its strength lies in its ability to deal hefty damage with its fire-breathing ability, utilizing any spare mana to increase its power for a crushing attack. To counter this airborne threat, it’s essential to disrupt your opponent’s mana flow or remove the creature before it can be fully utilized.
Consider running removal spells that can bypass its flying capability, such as Murder or Hero’s Downfall, which can eliminate the Punisher regardless of its position in the skies. Another strategy is to use counter spells to prevent it from entering the battlefield altogether. Essence Scatter and Negate are potent tools for keeping Hellkite Punisher out of play. Additionally, engaging in early aggression to pressure your opponent’s life total can force them to defend rather than save mana for the Punisher’s ability.
Lastly, prepare versatile answers in your deck. Ensnaring Bridge, for instance, can block the Punisher’s attacks, effectively nullifying the threat it poses. By carefully considering your strategy and including specific countermeasures in your deck, you can ensure that Hellkite Punisher does not tip the scales in your opponent’s favor.
Cards like Hellkite Punisher
Hellkite Punisher takes to the skies in a league of fearsome dragons popular in MTG. This formidable creature is instantly reminiscent of another airborne behemoth, Shivan Dragon, both boasting the ability to pump their power to close a game swiftly. Where Hellkite Punisher sets itself apart is in its sheer size, starting with a base power of 6, compared to Shivan Dragon’s 5.
Drakuseth, Maw of Flames also mirrors Hellkite Punisher’s fondness for direct damage, though Drakuseth’s effect is triggered upon attacking, distributing damage across multiple targets. However, the Punisher’s agility is unmatched as it can increase its damage output on the same turn it’s played, albeit at a higher mana cost for each increment. Furthermore, we can’t ignore Lathliss, Dragon Queen, who breathes life into your dragon arsenal by not just strengthening your board presence but also creating additional dragon tokens for each nontoken dragon that enters the battlefield.
Assessing the dragon lineup in MTG showcases Hellkite Punisher as a potent force, offering immediate and customizable power boosts that can quickly turn the tides of any match.
Cards similar to Hellkite Punisher by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hellkite Punisher MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Punisher and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hellkite Punisher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
