Manaform Hellkite MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates Dragon Illusion tokens, each acting as an additional threat and symbol of card advantage.
  2. Spells cast at instant speed unleash potential, creating tokens and optimizing Manaform Hellkite’s abilities.
  3. The card fits many deck types, boosting both offense and defense with its token-creating mechanism.

Text of card

Flying Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, create an X/X red Dragon Illusion creature token with flying and haste, where X is the amount of mana spent to cast that spell. Exile that token at the beginning of the next end step.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Manaform Hellkite has the potential to generate significant card advantage with its ability to create Dragon Illusion tokens. Each token not only represents an additional threat on the battlefield but also embodies a card’s worth of value, putting you ahead in the long game.

Resource Acceleration: While Manaform Hellkite doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense, the tokens it creates can act as a deterrent for your opponents. They might need to use their removal spells on the tokens, effectively preserving your other valuable creatures or saving your mana for crucial turns.

Instant Speed: One of Manaform Hellkite’s strengths lies in its synergy with instant-speed spells. Casting instants on your opponent’s turn not only surprises them with an unanticipated threat but also maximizes the efficiency of Manaform Hellkite by creating even more tokens without consuming your resources or turn sequence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Manaform Hellkite does not have a direct discard requirement, it does need you to cast numerous spells to maximize its value. This can be problematic when your hand is running low, limiting the dragon’s potential on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Manaform Hellkite is a hefty creature that demands a specific mana alignment. Requiring two red mana can be restrictive, especially in multicolored decks that may struggle with color fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The four mana required to summon Manaform Hellkite could be considered high for aggressive decks. This cost takes up most of your turn’s mana, possibly slowing down your early game momentum as you might be unable to develop your board further on the same turn.


Reasons to Include Manaform Hellkite in Your Collection

Versatility: Manaform Hellkite seamlessly integrates into various deck archetypes thanks to its ability to capitalize on noncreature spell casts. In decks that cast numerous instants and sorceries, it can consistently generate 4/4 red Dragon Illusion creature tokens, providing both a defensive and offensive presence.

Combo Potential: This dragon offers fantastic combo potential, as it works well with strategies that ramp up spell casting. Whether it’s in a storm deck or one that harnesses copy spell effects, each cast can quickly snowball into a formidable army of tokens to overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to create tokens that scale with the spells you cast, Manaform Hellkite is relevant in a meta filled with spell-heavy decks. It’s a substantial threat that can demand an immediate answer, making it a prudent choice for anyone looking to stay competitive.


How to beat

Manaform Hellkite is an impactful dragon card in Magic: The Gathering, renowned for its prowess in quickly overwhelming opponents by creating flying Dragon Illusion creature tokens. These tokens can pile up rapidly, turning the tides of a game. When it comes to tackling Manaform Hellkite, effective removal is key. Instant-speed responses are crucial to disrupt your opponent’s strategic setup or combat phase shenanigans. Cards that excel in this role include Murderous Rider and Heartless Act, which offer versatility and evasion from counteractive spells that protect the dragon.

Enchantment-based removal, like Banishing Light, can also exile Manaform Hellkite, suppressing its token-generating ability. However, the challenge comes in timing these removal spells strategically to prevent a surge of tokens. It’s also wise to keep mana open to play these spells in response to the dragon hitting the battlefield. In addition, board wipes such as Doomskar or Wrath of God can reset the battlefield, eliminating accumulated tokens and the Hellkite itself, providing a clean slate to regain control of the game.

Success against Manaform Hellkite involves a balance between foresight and reactive play. Recognizing when to hold back and when to take decisive action will increase the odds in your favor, ensuring that this formidable dragon doesn’t dictate the pace of play.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into MTG strategy and discover how Manaform Hellkite can revolutionize your gameplay. With its unique ability to summon Dragon Illusion tokens, this card creates new tactical avenues, perfect for decks focusing on instants and sorceries. Enhance your collection and your competitive edge; learn to maximize the potential of your spells and tokens with Manaform Hellkite. Struggling in the mana curve or need the right counterplay? We’ve got insights for that too. For the complete guide on making the most of this dynamic dragon, including deck synergies and strategies against it, join us and tap into MTG’s full potential.


Cards like Manaform Hellkite

Manaform Hellkite tightens its grip on red’s flying fury in Magic: The Gathering. With similarities to other dragon heavyweights like Dragon Mage, Manaform Hellkite shines with its innovative ability to create Dragon Illusion tokens. In contrast, Dragon Mage revolves around refilling each player’s hand, which can be a double-edged sword. Meanwhile, Lathliss, Dragon Queen, also rallies dragons under her banner, but she needs other dragons to manifest her might, making her dependent on a wider board presence to make an impact.

Stormbreath Dragon is another kin, yet it harnesses protection from white and a monstrous power-up option. While Stormbreath offers immediate board influence and potential damage output, Manaform Hellkite relies on noncreature spells to summon its elusive tokens, which can cascade into overwhelming force on the battlefield. Then there is Goldspan Dragon, a treasure hoarding kin granting you additional mana benefits. Goldspan Dragon boosts your resources directly, unlike Manaform Hellkite which requires a synergy with spellcasting.

Every dragon has its lair, and Manaform Hellkite’s special niche in Magic: The Gathering remains distinct with its spell-fueling token generation, giving players a unique approach to harnessing the power of dragons and magic alike.

Dragon Mage - MTG Card versions
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - MTG Card versions
Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions
Goldspan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dragon Mage - Scourge (SCG)
Lathliss, Dragon Queen - Resale Promos (PRES)
Stormbreath Dragon - Theros (THS)
Goldspan Dragon - Kaldheim (KHM)

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

Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
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Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
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Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
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Ogre Gatecrasher - MTG Card versions
Reckless One - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Reckless Embermage - Mirage (MIR)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Ogre Gatecrasher - Dissension (DIS)
Reckless One - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Manaform Hellkite MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Manaform Hellkite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Manaform Hellkite Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Andrew Mar.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 953952015normalblackAndrew Mar
22021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 1702015normalblackAndrew Mar
32021-11-19Crimson Vow Art SeriesAVOW 462015art_seriesborderlessAndrew Mar
42021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 3802015normalblackAndrew Mar
52022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 4372015normalblackAndrew Mar

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Manaform Hellkite has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-11-19 Manaform Hellkite's triggered ability looks at the mana that was actually spent to cast the spell, which may be different than the mana cost of that spell. For example, if you cast a noncreature spell without paying its mana cost, this ability creates a 0/0 Dragon Illusion token. In most cases, such a creature would immediately be put into your graveyard.

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