Draugr's Helm MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Kaldheim
Set code	KHM
Number	88
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Joe Slucher

Key Takeaways

Draugr’s Helm enables effective graveyard use by creating a 2/2 zombie, providing on-field card advantage.
The Helm’s instant-speed Aura with Flash offers flexible, surprising play options against opponents.
A specific mana cost and discard requirement may limit Draugr’s Helm’s versatility in some decks.

Text of card

When Draugr's Helm enters the battlefield, you may pay . If you do, create a 2/2 black Zombie Berserker creature token, then attach Draugr's Helm to it. Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has menace. (It can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.) Equip

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Draugr’s Helm allows the player to efficiently utilize graveyard resources by bringing back a 2/2 zombie when attached to a creature, thus maintaining card presence on the battlefield and potentially turning the tide in the player’s favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Draugr’s Helm itself does not directly provide mana or treasure tokens, it embodies resource acceleration by offering a cost-effective equipment option. With its moderate casting and equip costs, it readily complements other mana-efficient strategies in your deck.

Instant Speed: Although Draugr’s Helm is not an instant, the card can be activated at instant speed if needed. The flexibility to cast it as an Aura with Flash enables you to respond dynamically to the state of the game, surprising opponents and defending against threats during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Draugr’s Helm necessitates the removal of a card from your hand to exploit its full potential. For players who are managing a tight hand size, this requirement could pose a strategic setback, leaving them at a disadvantage if they’re unable to maintain card advantage and momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Its utility hinges on a specific blend of mana, including black. This dependence means the Helm meshes best within a deck built to accommodate its color needs, potentially limiting deck diversity and reducing its adaptability across varying play styles.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that’s on the higher end for its card type, Draugr’s Helm may not always be the most resource-efficient play. Particularly in fast-paced games, investing four mana into an equipment card can represent a significant opportunity cost, especially when other cards could provide similar or greater value at a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Draugr’s Helm offers flexibility as it can be included in a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to function both as an equipment and a creature ensures it fits seamlessly into an aggressive strategy as well as more control-oriented builds.

Combo Potential: This card has the capacity to synergize with decks that capitalize on creature and equipment synergies. The additional zombie token can be a pivotal part of strategies that focus on creature count or sacrificing for greater effects.

Meta-Relevance: With a shift towards versatile and adaptable cards in the ever-changing MTG landscape, Draugr’s Helm holds its ground by offering an immediate board presence or an equip option to strengthen your creatures, all at a reasonable mana cost — making it a solid choice in many current meta environments.

How to beat

Draugr’s Helm stands out as a potent equipment card in MTG, with the unique ability to not only boost a creature’s stats but also to offer the keyword menace, making it harder for an opponent to block effectively. When evaluating strategies to outmaneuver this card, it’s vital to focus on its equip mechanic which requires a creature on board to be effective.

Removal spells are your most direct line of defense. Instant speed options like Shatter or Disenchant can deal with the Helm before the equipped creature can make an impact. Another tactic is to remove potential targets; board wipes such as Day of Judgment will leave your opponent with no creatures to equip. Yet, one must also prepare for the Helm’s secondary ability to return as a Zombie creature once equipped, meaning graveyard disruption or additional creature removal might be necessary.

Utilizing these approaches can effectively diminish the threat posed by Draugr’s Helm, as it thrives in situations where it can consistently augment the power of creatures on the battlefield. Being proactive and keeping your opponent’s board clear are key to ensuring that the Helm doesn’t turn the tide of the game.

Cards like Draugr's Helm

Draugr’s Helm stands out within the realm of equipment cards in Magic: The Gathering due to its versatility and thematic flair. Resembling the likes of Mask of Avacyn, it offers not only a static boost but also a transformative ability, allowing you to create a Draugr token. This twofold utility provides players with both an immediate enhancement on the battlefield and potential creature generation. Mask of Avacyn grants hexproof, but lacks the creative edge of producing a token.

Comparatively, Fireshrieker is another equipment card that could be seen as a peer in terms of power level, granting double strike instead of token creation. Although both cards increase a creature’s threat level, Draugr’s Helm’s versatility provides an alternative way to use the card effectively. It echoes the sentiment of the Grafted Wargear, offering sizeable power and toughness boosts. However, unlike Grafted Wargear, Draugr’s Helm doesn’t come with the downside of having to sacrifice the equipped creature when the equipment is moved.

Assessing the value Draugr’s Helm brings to the game, it’s clear that its unique token-making ability, coupled with its solid stat boosts, make it an interesting option for players looking to equip their creatures with an edge in combat and board presence.

Cards similar to Draugr's Helm by color, type and mana cost

Transmogrant's Crown - MTG Card versions

Razorlash Transmogrant - MTG Card versions

Metalspinner's Puzzleknot - MTG Card versions

Gisa's Favorite Shovel - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Draugr's Helm MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Draugr's Helm and other MTG cards: