Heliod's Punishment MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2020-01-24 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Theros Beyond Death |
| Set code | THB |
| Number | 21 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Aleksi Briclot |
Text of card
Enchant creature Heliod's Punishment enters the battlefield with four task counters on it. Enchanted creature can't attack or block. It loses all abilities and has ": Remove a task counter from Heliod's Punishment. Then if it has no task counters on it, destroy Heliod's Punishment."
Cards like Heliod's Punishment
Heliod’s Punishment stands out in the realm of enchantment-based removal within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Pacifism, which also neutralize a creature without destroying it. Heliod’s Punishment differentiates itself by imposing task counters that limit its duration. This enables the creature to break free eventually, in contrast to Pacifism’s permanent effect.
Detainment spells like Imprisoned in the Moon share this concept of incapacitation but exchange the gradual release mechanism with a transformation element, turning a creature into a land until the enchantment is removed. Another comparable spell is Darksteel Mutation, which induces a similar state of inertia upon creatures it enchants, rendering them virtually powerless.
In assessing Heliod’s Punishment alongside its counterparts, its temporary nature offers a strategic advantage in some scenarios, providing a window for the opponent’s creature’s return, which can instigate a different set of tactics on the battlefield. Its unique position within MTG’s array of creature control spells affords players a nuanced tool for tempo-based strategies.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Heliod's Punishment. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-White Aggro | Modern | BLACK - FRI - 12PM - Secret Lair Showdown Qualifier - Modern - Single Elimination |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Heliod’s Punishment doesn’t directly contribute to drawing cards, but it helps maintain card advantage by handling major threats with a single card, efficiently using your resources.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t ramp your mana, the enchantment temporarily removes a target creature from play without spending multiple spells or combat resources on it, allowing you to accelerate your board presence unimpeded.
Instant Speed: Though Heliod’s Punishment is cast at sorcery speed, its ability to neutralize a creature until your next turn can simulate the sudden impact of instant speed interaction, particularly when disrupting opponent’s plans or offensive capabilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Heliod’s Punishment necessitates the allocation of a resource to utilize its effect. While no direct discard is involved, engaging a creature for four turns can be akin to temporary card disadvantage, meaning you forego immediate impact from another potentially more pressing card in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment comes with a dedicated white mana cost, which may not seamlessly integrate into multicolored or non-white decks. Players with a diversified mana base might find it difficult to consistently meet the white mana requirement for Heliod’s Punishment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two white mana, the card’s effectiveness is debated among players who consider other removal options. For a two-mana investment, some argue that there could be alternatives that more permanently deal with threats rather than merely delaying them.
Reasons to Include Heliod’s Punishment in Your Collection
Versatility: Heliod’s Punishment can be a flexible tool in a variety of decks. As a low-cost enchantment, it fits conveniently in white-aggressive strategies as well as control builds, offering multiple uses from tempo swings to creature denial.
Combo Potential: This card has potential in decks utilizing tapping and untapping mechanics. With the ability to lock down big threats temporarily, it can buy critical turns or combo with cards that capitalize on tapped creatures.
Meta-Relevance: As the game state fluctuates, having the ability to neutralize commanders or key pieces in creature-centric decks without a lasting commitment can be incredibly decisive. In metas where powerful creatures dominate, Heliod’s Punishment shines by keeping those threats at bay efficiently.
How to beat
Heliod’s Punishment is a card that can seem daunting with its ability to neutralize a key creature on the battlefield. This enchantment incapacitates the targeted creature, stripping it of abilities and preventing it from attacking or blocking. The creature becomes essentially a sitting duck, counting down the four turns until it’s freed from this celestial clamp.
To outplay Heliod’s Punishment, consider focusing on removal spells that can target enchantments. Cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize allow you to swiftly remove Heliod’s Punishment from the field, liberating your creature to return to action. Additionally, employing a strategy that includes sacrificial creatures can minimize the impact of this card on your gameplay. Leverage creatures that have enter the battlefield or death triggers to ensure you’re still gaining value even if they’re temporarily out of commission.
Understanding the temporary nature of Heliod’s Punishment is crucial. Plan around its four-turn limitation to sequence your plays for when your creature re-enters the fray. With strategic planning and the right answers in your deck, this punishing card can be rendered a mere inconvenience rather than a game-ending threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heliod's Punishment MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Heliod's Punishment 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Heliod's Punishment has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Heliod's Punishment card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-01-24 | If a creature is enchanted by two or more Heliod’s Punishments, it has only the activated ability of the one that most recently became attached. Activating that ability removes a task counter from only that one. |
| 2020-01-24 | If the affected creature gains an ability after Heliod’s Punishment becomes attached to it, it will keep that ability. |
| 2020-01-24 | If the enchanted creature has an ability that defines a * in its power or toughness, that * is 0. |