Hellkite Whelp MTG Card


Hellkite Whelp offers board control with its attack-triggered damage, targeting non-flying creatures. The five mana cost demands careful deck construction and comparison to other cards at this value. It fits well within dragon-centric or flying-themed strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Hellkite Whelp - Guilds of Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Released2018-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameGuilds of Ravnica
Set codeGRN
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number106
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohann Bodin

Text of card

Flying Whenever Hellkite Whelp attacks, it deals 1 damage to target creature defending player controls.

"They play by spitting fire at each other. Don't be offended if one gives you a love-scorch." —Esfir, Rakdos dragon wrangler


Cards like Hellkite Whelp

Hellkite Whelp enters the pantheon of creature-based MTG cards designed to exert pressure on the opponent’s board. It shares the battlefield with the likes of Scorch Spitter, which also delivers incremental damage but stands out with its lower casting cost. However, Hellkite Whelp’s ability to damage any target when it attacks makes it a more versatile threat compared to Scorch Spitter, which only hits opponents or planeswalkers.

Furnace Whelp, another dragon kin, offers a scalable threat with its fire-breathing ability to increase power at the cost of mana. Though it requires additional mana investments to be effective, it allows for a flexible use of resources during the game. In contrast, Hellkite Whelp’s impact is immediate upon attacking, offering a different strategic angle.

Within the current pool of cards, Hellkite Whelp is particularly noteworthy for players leveraging dragon tribal synergies as well as those seeking to maintain a steady pace of damage. Its unique combination of flying and triggered damage provides a blend of offensive capabilities and tactical options that can enhance various MTG strategies.

Scorch Spitter - MTG Card versions
Furnace Whelp - MTG Card versions
Scorch Spitter - MTG Card versions
Furnace Whelp - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Hellkite Whelp by color, type and mana cost

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
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Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
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Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hellkite Whelp presents an ongoing threat to your opponent by potentially clearing smaller creatures off the board with each attack, indirectly contributing to card advantage by diminishing your opponent’s presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While the Hellkite Whelp does not provide direct mana acceleration, its ability to consistently apply pressure can force your opponent to invest resources into dealing with it, effectively slowing them down and accelerating your relative resource dominance.

Instant Speed: Although Hellkite Whelp itself doesn’t have an ability that operates at instant speed, it fits well in a deck with instant-speed spells. It allows you to commit to the board while still holding up mana for responses, putting your opponent in a difficult position where they must consider the potential of instant speed interaction in addition to the impending damage from the whelp’s triggered ability.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hellkite Whelp requires players to have a ready board presence of Dragons to fully utilize its triggered ability, which may not always be convenient, leading to moments where the potential for recurring damage is negated by an empty or non-Dragon field.

Specific Mana Cost: At a mana value that demands both red and generic mana, Hellkite Whelp demands a commitment to red mana sources, possibly straining mana bases in multicolored decks looking for greater flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, it is important to compare Hellkite Whelp’s impact to other cards at this cost. Players may find that for five mana, other creatures or spells could provide a more immediate or impactful advantage.


Reasons to Include Hellkite Whelp in Your Collection

Versatility: Hellkite Whelp is a dynamic addition to any dragon-themed or deck that leverages flying creatures. Its ability to deal damage to non-flying creatures upon attacking offers strategic options for board control.

Combo Potential: The repeatable damage trigger from Hellkite Whelp can be harnessed to activate enrage mechanics on your dinosaurs or to incrementally weaken your opponent’s creatures, paving the way for successful attacks or synergizing with damage amplification effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where small utility creatures are prevalent, Hellkite Whelp provides a consistent answer to such threats each turn it attacks, maintaining pressure against opponent’s board developments.


How to beat

Hellkite Whelp is a card that can pose a subtle threat on the board of a Magic: The Gathering game. With its ability to deal 1 damage to target creature an opponent controls whenever it attacks, it can slowly whittle down an army of smaller creatures. To effectively counter this fiery dragon, players should consider employing creatures with higher toughness to withstand its triggered ability. Additionally, incorporating instant speed removal spells in your deck can be a decisive way to remove Hellkite Whelp before it gains too much value over the course of a game. Alternately, employing counter spells when your opponent casts Hellkite Whelp can preemptively neutralize the threat it poses. There are also numerous enchantments and artifacts that can prevent it from attacking or disable its abilities entirely. By staying prepared for these kinds of threats with a diverse and responsive deck, you can maintain control over the game and keep cards like Hellkite Whelp in check.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hellkite Whelp MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Whelp and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hellkite Whelp has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-10-05 If a creature attacks a planeswalker, that planeswalker’s controller is the defending player.
2018-10-05 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Hellkite Whelp’s triggered ability can target only a creature controlled by the player it’s attacking. It can’t target a creature controlled by that player’s teammate.