Nira, Hellkite Duelist MTG Card


Nira offers card advantage by peeking and potentially discarding from the opponent’s hand. Flash ability provides unexpected plays and strategic depth to MTG matches. While versatile, Nira’s specific mana and high cost may limit deck integration.
Nira, Hellkite Duelist - 2016 Heroes of the Realm
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Dragon
Abilities Flying,Haste,Trample, Flash
Released2017-09-20
Set symbol
Set name2016 Heroes of the Realm
Set codePHTR
Power 6
Toughness 6
Number3
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byYoichi Ito

Text of card

Flash Flying, trample, haste When Nira, Hellkite Duelist enters the battlefield, the next time you would lose the game this turn, instead draw three cards and your life total becomes 5.

"Keep rising."


Cards like Nira, Hellkite Duelist

Nira, Hellkite Duelist stands out as a remarkable creature card in Magic: The Gathering, drawing parallels with other impactful dragon cards. Comparable to the renowned Stormbreath Dragon, Nira offers an immediate board presence with its ability to engage in combat as soon as it enters the battlefield. Both dragons bring speed to the game, but Nira’s potential to prevent damage from a source can be a gamechanger during duels.

Diving deeper into the comparison, Thundermaw Hellkite is another dragon-themed counterpart that poses a significant threat to opponents. While Thundermaw Hellkite excels in clearing out flying creatures to ensure unfaltering attacks, Nira has the versatility of negating damages of any kind, not just from creatures. In this sense, Nira provides a broader defensive utility.

To sum up, Nira’s duel-centric abilities encompass both offensive and defensive strategies, which might edge out other formidable dragons such as Stormbreath Dragon and Thundermaw Hellkite regarding adaptability. Her presence in any MTG deck could potentially pivot crucial moments in your favor, demonstrating her distinct place among dragon cards.

Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nira, Hellkite Duelist allows players to potentially disrupt their opponent’s hand while strengthening their own board position. The ability to peek into an opponent’s hand and potentially discard a powerful card can provide a significant advantage, leaving them with fewer options and giving you the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although Nira doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense of producing mana or treasure, her low casting cost and the immediate impact she can have on the game can be seen as a form of tempo acceleration, which is invaluable in fast-paced games where early dominance is key.

Instant Speed: The ability to flash Nira in during an opponent’s turn adds a layer of surprise and strategic depth to gameplay. It allows players to respond to threats or end-of-turn actions with a powerful dragon, catching opponents off guard and potentially swinging the momentum of the game in their favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nira, Hellkite Duelist necessitates a discard from your hand to trigger its ability. This can pose a challenge during gameplay, particularly when your hand is already depleted, or you’re holding crucial cards you can’t afford to lose.

Specific Mana Cost: Nira’s activation cost demands a specific combination of red, blue, and colorless mana. This can restrict your deck-building options as it may not seamlessly fit into multicolored or mono-colored decks that don’t support these colors efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that sits on the higher end of the curve, Nira might compete with other impactful cards in your deck that could be played instead. This can be a significant drawback in faster-paced games where efficiency and speed are key to victory.


Reasons to Include Nira, Hellkite Duelist in Your Collection

Versatility: Nira, Hellkite Duelist is adaptable to various deck builds, particularly those needing a robust defense. Her flash ability allows you to surprise opponents, and being a multi-color card, she supports color-fixing in decks.

Combo Potential: This dragon synergizes well with cards enhancing combat damage or triggering on dragons entering the battlefield. With the right setup, Nira can be pivotal in executing powerful and game-ending combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that favors creature-heavy decks or those that rely on activated abilities, Nira has a niche. Her ability to counter abilities can disrupt opponent strategies, making her a strategic choice in certain meta environments.


How to beat

Nira, Hellkite Duelist is a unique card that presents a challenge to many MTG players. Well-known for its ability to turn the tide of a game, Nira brings versatility and strength to the battlefield. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to understand its strengths and prepare strategic measures in your deck. Removal spells are key; instant-speed removal can disrupt Nira’s tempo advantage. Board wipes are another effective method, as they can clear the field, including Nira, regardless of her potential buffs or protective measures.

Counterspells are also a potent weapon against Nira, preventing her from even entering the battlefield. On the flip side, minimizing the number of creatures in your possession might reduce Nira’s impact as her abilities are significantly more potent when facing numerous threats. Moreover, don’t underestimate the power of hand disruption. Tactics like discard spells can force Nira out of your opponent’s hand before she becomes a problem, creating a preemptive line of defense.

Mastering the art of defense in MTG means adapting to ever-changing threats. When faced with a formidable card like Nira, Hellkite Duelist, prepare a diverse arsenal in your deck for the best chance of victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nira, Hellkite Duelist MTG card by a specific set like 2016 Heroes of the Realm, 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 Nira, Hellkite Duelist and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-12-07 The Commander RC has ruled that if your name is printed on the bottom of a Heroes of the Realm card, that card is legal for you in Commander.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.