Flowstone Hellion MTG Card
1998-03-02 - Number 84
2014-06-16 - Number 161
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Hellion Beast |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flowstone Hellion is unaffected by summoning sickness. : Flowstone Hellion gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
Volrath leaves no stone untrained.
Cards like Flowstone Hellion
Flowstone Hellion stands as an intriguing creature in the world of MTG, bearing similarities to other versatile attackers. Cards like Raging Ravine share the trait of increasing power with activation, though the Ravine does so while also gaining toughness and without the need to return to one’s hand. This permanence provides an advantage in maintaining a board presence. However, Flowstone Hellion offers the flexibility to dodge removal by bouncing back to your hand, a tactical option absent in Raging Ravine’s repertoire.
Considering Shivan Wumpus, there’s a resemblance in power dynamics, with both creatures having the potential to be formidable threats. Shivan Wumpus can coerce opponents to sacrifice land, which can be disruptive. Despite that, Flowstone Hellion’s haste and power-boosting ability allow for immediate impact, a characteristic not shared by the Wumpus. Meanwhile, the flexibility of Flowstone Hellion’s voluntary retreat can strategically outmaneuver control decks which may render Shivan Wumpus more vulnerable to answers.
Overall, while Flowstone Hellion may not be the most robust creature in its mana range, the comparative analysis underscores its strengths in terms of speed and tactical flexibility, making it a viable choice for players emphasizing swift and adaptive combat strategies in their MTG deck builds.
Cards similar to Flowstone Hellion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Flowstone Hellion doesn’t specifically let you draw cards, its trample ability can keep your opponent’s board clear, effectively minimizing their card presence while maintaining your own battlefield control.
Resource Acceleration: Flowstone Hellion’s flexible power adjustment enables dynamic combat strategies. By investing additional resources, you can amplify its damage output, potentially creating a significant shift in the game state.
Instant Speed: The card’s strength-adjusting ability operates at instant speed, granting the flexibility to adapt to combat scenarios as they unfold. This surprise element can lead to advantageous trades or even unexpected victory.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Flowstone Hellion demands a card to be discarded each time you wish to increase its attack power. This condition can reduce your hand size significantly, leading to potential card advantage loss over the course of a game.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Flowstone Hellion is fairly specific, requiring two red mana symbols as part of its casting cost. This can be restrictive as it necessitates a strong commitment to red mana in your deck, possibly hindering deck flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana and additional mana required to utilize its special ability, Flowstone Hellion might be seen as mana-intensive compared to other creatures in its slot. This could affect your mana curve and slow down your tempo, especially in aggressive red decks that value fast-paced, low-cost creatures.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Flowstone Hellion’s ability to pump its own power provides a flexible offensive tool that adapts to a variety of game situations. This makes it a valuable addition to decks that thrive on dynamic combat strategies.
Combo Potential: With its self-pumping mechanic, Flowstone Hellion pairs well with synergistic elements that benefit from creatures with high power. Its potential interaction with fling effects or various sacrifice synergies can turn it into a key piece of game-winning combos.
Meta-Relevance: Against slower control decks, Flowstone Hellion’s immediate impact on board presence can accelerate the game’s pace and pressure opponents before they establish a stronghold. Its utility in certain metas cannot be underestimated, particularly if the environment favors aggressive playstyles.
How to Beat
Flowstone Hellion is a card known for its flexibility on the battlefield, featuring the ability to pump its attack at will. This creature card from the Stronghold set can become quite a nuisance due to its power-boosting capability. To counter this threat, it’s crucial to stay one step ahead by neutralizing the Hellion before it becomes unmanageable.
One effective strategy is to target it with removal spells before your opponent has the opportunity to increase its strength. Instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Doom Blade can be especially useful as they can be cast in response to an activation of its ability. Counterspells are also an excellent preemptive measure to keep the Hellion off the field entirely. If your deck is creature-focused, ensuring you have creatures with enough toughness to withstand a pumped-up attack or blockers with deathtouch can deter your opponent from attacking or even using the ability, as they risk losing their Hellion.
Ultimately, handling Flowstone Hellion is about anticipation and timing. By using efficient removals, playing smart with your creatures, and keeping control of the board state, you can negate the advantages this flexible creature brings to the table.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flowstone Hellion MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Vintage Masters, 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 Flowstone Hellion and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
Printings
The Flowstone Hellion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Daren Bader.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 84 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 161 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flowstone Hellion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flowstone Hellion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | It will be put into its owner’s graveyard as soon as one of its abilities resolves that puts its toughness at zero (or less than the current amount of damage on it). This is a state-based action, so there is no way to activate its ability any more to increase its power further before it is put into the graveyard. |