Hellspark Elemental MTG Card
2006-01-02 - Number 25
2009-02-06 - Number 65
2010-11-08 - Number B18
2013-03-15 - Number 46
2002-06-24 - Number 36172
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Haste,Trample,Unearth |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Trample, haste At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice Hellspark Elemental. Unearth (: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.)
Cards like Hellspark Elemental
Hellspark Elemental is a dynamic force that offers MTG players a potent mix of damage and recurring threats. Much like Ball Lightning, it provides a swift burst of power with its trample ability, although with lower power. The difference lies in the unearth ability of Hellspark Elemental, allowing it to leave the graveyard fora fleeting but meaningful second attack. While Ball Lightning can’t return after its initial assault, the elemental’s reusability gives players an edge.
Comparing it to Spark Elemental reveals another facet of utility. Spark Elemental costs less and can be a quick surprise due to its Flash ability, but it lacks the second-chance playability Hellspark Elemental is prized for. Conversely, Keldon Marauders edges into this space with a similar vein of impact, delivering guaranteed damage through its entering and leaving the battlefield effects. Yet, it doesn’t quite match the direct and rapid offensive that Hellspark Elemental can unleash.
Hence, amongst its kin, Hellspark Elemental stands out with its versatility and the persistent threat it poses. This makes it an exceptional choice amongst cards that embody the surprise attack strategy in MTG’s hasty creature lineup.
Cards similar to Hellspark Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hellspark Elemental has unearth ability, giving players a second chance to utilize it from the graveyard, effectively making the most out of every card.
Resource Acceleration: Offering significant damage relative to its mana cost, this card accelerates your game plan, pressuring your opponent early in the game and shifting resources to your favor swiftly.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Hellspark Elemental can be unearthed at instant speed, providing surprise attacks during the opponent’s turn or after their blockers have been declared.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hellspark Elemental’s unearth ability allows it to return to the battlefield for a brief encore, but at the cost of being exiled at the end of the turn. This means that any investment in the card, whether it be buffs or equipment, becomes a temporary boost, leading to a potential loss of resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Hellspark Elemental requires a specific arrangement of mana, including one generic and one red mana. This can be restrictive, as it dictates a need for red mana sources, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce red mana early in the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the 3/1 trample might appear aggressive for its two-mana cost, its self-exiling nature upon the end of the turn means it might not always provide the persistent board presence needed against decks that can deploy larger creatures or multiple blockers at the same or lower mana costs.
Reasons to Include Hellspark Elemental in Your Collection
Versatility: Hellspark Elemental is a chameleon in red aggressive decks, fitting snugly into strategies that prize speed and recurring threats. Its unearth ability gives it a commendable role, bringing a burst of damage over multiple turns.
Combo Potential: With its ability to return to play, this elemental aligns well with cards that capitalize on entering or leaving the battlefield effects, paving the way for resourceful combo plays that can surprise opponents and shift the momentum of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s hospitable to quick, aggressive plays, Hellspark Elemental shines. It offers persistent pressure against control decks, and its low casting cost makes it a consistent early-game threat in various red-focused strategies.
How to beat
Hellspark Elemental is a swift and fiery challenger on the battlefield, presenting a unique set of challenges for Magic: The Gathering players. This creature’s Unearth ability makes it a relentless foe, capable of returning from the graveyard for a surprise attack. Handling this Elemental requires a strategic approach that often involves graveyard disruption. One can use cards like Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt to remove Hellspark Elemental from the game completely, ensuring it doesn’t return to plague your defenses.
Another effective tactic is to establish robust defense. Creatures with high toughness or those that can be flashed into play, like Wall of Omens or Snapcaster Mage, serve as excellent bulwarks against Hellspark Elemental’s charges. It’s also helpful to keep instant-speed removal at the ready. Path to Exile or Fatal Push are precise answers, able to remove the Elemental permanently and prevent any further Unearth shenanigans.
Stemming from these strategies, players can outwit a Hellspark Elemental’s aggressive plays. Success lies in preparedness and an understanding of how best to utilize available resources to ensure that once it hits the field, or the graveyard, it stays out for good.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hellspark Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and DCI Promos, 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 Hellspark Elemental 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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Printings
The Hellspark Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-01-02 and 2013-03-15. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36172 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | ||
| 2 | 2006-01-02 | DCI Promos | PDCI | 25 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 3 | 2009-02-06 | Conflux | CON | 65 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 4 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | B18 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 5 | 2013-03-15 | Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt | DDK | 46 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hellspark Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |