Hellion Eruption MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 151
2012-06-01 - Number 45
2015-08-28 - Number 61
2016-11-25 - Number 45
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Sacrifice all creatures you control, then put that many 4/4 red Hellion creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Just when you thought you'd be safe, in the middle of an open field with no Eldrazi around for miles.
Cards like Hellion Eruption
Hellion Eruption is a distinctive card in Magic: The Gathering, similar in effect to cards that transform existing resources into sudden offensive power. Its ability to turn all creatures into 4/4 red Hellion creatures resembles the transformation element seen in cards like Hour of Need, which replaces creatures with 4/4 blue Sphinx tokens. Both cards significantly alter the battlefield in a single turn, though Hellion Eruption is unique in its mass conversion that can potentially overwhelm opponents with a surge of Hellions.
Looking at cards like Tempt with Vengeance, players find a comparable creation of red creature tokens based on the mana invested. While not converting existing creatures, it offers a flexible alternative that scales with your available resources. Meanwhile, Descent of the Dragons offers a twist to the concept, destroying creatures and replacing them with 4/4 red Dragon creature tokens, much like Hellion Eruption’s sweeping conversion. The distinction lies in Descent of the Dragons’ ability to target and upgrade specific creatures, offering a more controlled, yet potentially less broad impacting strategy.
Assessing these comparisons, Hellion Eruption holds a particular niche in Magic: The Gathering as a game-changing sorcery that can catch opponents unprepared by transforming modest creatures into a formidable Hellion army in an unpredictable tide of fiery might.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hellion Eruption transforms your existing board full of tokens or creatures into a formidable army of 4/4 Hellions. This can swiftly tilt the balance of a game in your favor by flooding the board with these powerful tokens.
Resource Acceleration: By converting multiple low-value creatures into a throng of towering threats, Hellion Eruption effectively acts as a force multiplier. This elevates your board presence without further investment and accelerates your potential to end the game.
Instant Speed: While Hellion Eruption is a sorcery, the immediate impact of its effect resembles that of instant speed spells. Deploying it at the right moment, preferably after you’ve amassed a number of expendable creatures, can leave opponents unprepared for the sudden onslaught.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hellion Eruption forces you to sacrifice all creatures you control when it’s played. This heavy requirement can leave you vulnerable, especially if you’ve been building your board presence and have to give that up to use the spell.
Specific Mana Cost: Hellion Eruption requires a substantial amount of red mana – two red mana symbols plus four additional mana of any color. This mana specificity can be restrictive and is not always easy to meet, particularly in multicolored or mana-fixing dependent decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana value of six, Hellion Eruption is a costly spell. While it can turn a field of small creatures into an army of 4/4 Hellions, its high cost may slow your momentum and give opponents an opportunity to prepare or counteract.
Reasons to Include Hellion Eruption in Your Collection
Versatility: Hellion Eruption is a game-changing card that can slot into numerous red-based strategies, such as token generation or decks that manipulate the number of creatures on the board for a massive surprise swing.
Combo Potential: This card combos well with decks that create a large number of expendable creatures. Transforming low-value tokens into 4/4 Hellions can suddenly turn the tide of a match and synergize with effects that capitalize on creature entries or sacrifices.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence and creature-based strategies prevail, Hellion Eruption can exploit the board state to create a lethal force out of an otherwise benign field of tokens. Additionally, it’s an unexpected jolt against opponents unprepared for such a swift and massive change in board dynamics.
How to Beat Hellion Eruption
Hellion Eruption is a unique sorcery from the world of Magic: The Gathering that can quickly overwhelm opponents by transforming all of your creatures into 4/4 Hellion tokens. Overcoming this sudden surge of firepower requires strategic play and proper deck preparation. Preventative measures such as board wipes like Day of Judgment or trading potential creature threats with cheap removal spells like Path to Exile become essential in your gameplay. Spell counters like Counterspell also serve as an effective measure to stop Hellion Eruption before it can even take effect.
Manipulating your deck to have flexible responses can be the key. Instant-speed spot removal can be a critical reactive tool to deal with individual Hellion tokens as they enter the battlefield. It’s imperative to manage your opponent’s creatures pre-transformation as well. Utilize cards that limit the number of creatures your opponent controls, such as Languish or Wrath of God, to reduce the impact of Hellion Eruption. Another angle is to employ graveyard tactics, like Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus, to disrupt strategies relying on recurring creatures from the graveyard post-Eruption.
Keeping these strategies in mind can give you an edge against decks aiming to exploit the massive board presence Hellion Eruption promises, ensuring your survival and positioning you for a counterattack in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hellion Eruption MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Planechase 2012, 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 Hellion Eruption and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Hellion Eruption Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2016-11-25. Illustrated by Anthony Francisco.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 151 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Anthony Francisco | |
| 2 | 2012-06-01 | Planechase 2012 | PC2 | 45 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Anthony Francisco | |
| 3 | 2015-08-28 | Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi | DDP | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anthony Francisco | |
| 4 | 2016-11-25 | Planechase Anthology | PCA | 45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anthony Francisco |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hellion Eruption has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |