Helm of the Ghastlord MTG Card


When enchanted creature deals damage, gain a card and force a discard, shifting game advantage gradually. Indirect resource acceleration occurs as more of your deck becomes accessible, potentially speeding up your play. Requires strategic resource management due to specific mana demands and the potential card discard trade-off.
Helm of the Ghastlord - Shadowmoor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameShadowmoor
Set codeSHM
Number166
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byFranz Vohwinkel

Text of card

Enchant creature As long as enchanted creature is blue, it gets +1/+1 and has "Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, draw a card." As long as enchanted creature is black, it gets +1/+1 and has "Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, that player discards a card."


Cards like Helm of the Ghastlord

Helm of the Ghastlord shines in Magic: The Gathering as a unique aura enchantment. It can transform a harmless creature into a menacing threat, somewhat like the aura Control Magic. Both enchantments elevate the capabilities of your creatures, with Control Magic taking over an opponent’s creature entirely. However, the Helm adds a layer of complexity by granting card draw upon dealing damage to a player and forcing discards, fine-tuning your control over the game’s flow.

Another enchantment worth mentioning is Curiosity, which shares the card drawing ability on dealing damage, yet lacks the forced discard advantage that the Helm of the Ghastlord provides. Moreover, the Helm’s color-specific attachment to black and blue creatures mirrors Drawn from Dreams capacity to sift through cards. Drawn from Dreams allows a deeper look into your library but doesn’t continuously draw with each strike like the Helm does.

Each enchantment has its situation where it shines, but Helm of the Ghastlord certainly stands out as a card capable of both disrupting your opponent’s hand and bolstering your own with additional draw, a dual threat within the arcane world of Magic: The Gathering.

Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Curiosity - MTG Card versions
Drawn from Dreams - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Curiosity - MTG Card versions
Drawn from Dreams - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Helm of the Ghastlord attaches to a creature, providing an ongoing effect that can potentially deprive your opponent of valuable card resources while boosting your own hand. Each time the enchanted creature deals damage to a player, you enjoy the double benefit of drawing a card while forcing your opponent to discard one. This continuous exchange progressively tips the scales in your favor throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: In MTG, the ability to play powerful spells sooner can often lead to victory. While Helm of the Ghastlord doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its card advantage effect ensures you access more of your deck, increasing the likelihood of drawing into your mana sources or spells that generate additional resources, indirectly speeding up your game plan.

Instant Speed: Interaction at instant speed can be a significant tactical advantage, and while Helm of the Ghastlord isn’t an instant itself, it encourages keeping mana available. With the card’s aura effect, your opponents might hesitate to cast their own spells or attack, fearing the repercussions of you drawing more cards and them losing resources, effectively giving you control over the pace of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Helm of the Ghastlord requires the player to discard a card whenever the enchanted creature deals damage to an opponent. This can be restrictive, particularly in games where maintaining a healthy hand size is critical to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: With an aura that costs one blue and one black mana in addition to two generic mana, this card is especially limited to decks that can produce both colors easily, potentially restricting deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of four mana for an aura that offers control abilities, some players may find it less appealing compared to lower-cost enchantments or equipment that can be reused and provide a similar level of control or offensive power.


Reasons to Include Helm of the Ghastlord in Your Collection

Versatility: Helm of the Ghastlord offers a unique enchantment ability that can amplify the power of your creatures. It can be included in control or aggro decks, providing card advantage and disrupting opponents’ hands when paired with creatures that deal damage.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to force discard when dealing damage makes it a formidable combo piece. Combined with creatures that have unblockable abilities or cards that allow for multiple attacks, it becomes a tool for consistent hand disruption.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where hand information and resources are vital, Helm of the Ghastlord can tilt the scales in your favor. Particularly effective in a meta with lots of creature-based strategies, it helps in removing crucial threats from opponents’ hands before they can be played.


How to beat

Helm of the Ghastlord is an aura that can turn the tide of the game with its powerful ability to draw cards and force your opponent to discard whenever the enchanted creature deals damage. Overcoming a card with such strong control elements requires foresight and the right counters. Key strategies include removing the enchanted creature before it can deal damage, either through direct removal spells or board wipes. Disenchant effects can directly target and remove Helm of the Ghastlord from play, circumventing its benefits entirely.

Alternatively, tools that grant hexproof to your creatures ensure they cannot be targeted by the aura, mitigating the risk before it manifests. It’s essential to keep a watchful eye on your resources, maintain a full grip of cards, and hold onto instant-speed interactive spells. This reactive approach will decrease the utility of the aura for your adversary. Preventative measures such as counterspells can stop Helm of the Ghastlord from resolving in the first place, addressing the threat before it becomes a major issue in your match.

Evaluating the situation and responding with the appropriate countermeasures allows players to handle Helm of the Ghastlord effectively, maintaining the balance of power and continuing to pursue victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the depths of strategic gameplay with Helm of the Ghastlord, an enchantment that promises to reshape the ebb and flow of your Magic: The Gathering battles. Embrace this aura’s potential to disrupt opponents while bolstering your tactical advantage. In a world where knowledge is power, drawing the right card can turn the tide of any match. Consider adding this card to your arsenal for its unique ability to tip the scales and its synergy with creatures that coax secrets from the enemy’s grip. Curious to uncover the full breadth of Helm of the Ghastlord’s might? We invite you to learn more and witness how this card can become a cornerstone of victory in your MTG endeavors.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Helm of the Ghastlord MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Helm of the Ghastlord and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Helm of the Ghastlord has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-05-01 If the enchanted creature is both of the listed colors, it will get both bonuses.
2008-05-01 The two abilities trigger when the enchanted creature deals damage to an opponent of the creature’s controller, not when it deals damage to an opponent of the Helm’s controller. They trigger from any damage, not just combat damage.
2008-05-01 With regards to the two triggered abilities that Helm of the Ghastlord grants to the enchanted creature, the point when damage is actually dealt is the only time it matters what color the creature is. If the creature is blue or black at that time, the appropriate ability or abilities will trigger. They’ll resolve even if the creature changes color or loses its Aura.