Parhelion II MTG Card


Generates 4/4 Angel tokens, offering impressive card advantage without additional mana costs. Crew ability provides considerable strategic flexibility during gameplay. Demands specific crewing cost and heavy mana investment, challenging deck building.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact — Vehicle
Abilities Crew,First strike,Flying, Vigilance
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying, first strike, vigilance Whenever Parhelion II attacks, create two 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying and vigilance that are attacking. Crew 4 (Tap any number of creatures you control with total power 4 or more: This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)


Cards like Parhelion II

Parhelion II is a unique card within the MTG universe that portrays a blend of might and majesty on the battlefield. It finds parallels with other massive artifact vehicles like Skysovereign, Consul Flagship, which also commands a presence with its ability to deal damage upon entering the battlefield or when it attacks. Yet, Parhelion II carves its niche with its powerful ability to create two 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying and vigilance whenever it attacks.

Another card akin to Parhelion II is the Weatherlight. Both serve as legendary vehicles requiring a crew to become animate. However, Weatherlight offers a different advantage by allowing its controller to look for a historic card in the library whenever it deals combat damage to a player. On the flip side, Parhelion II is more combat-focused, providing substantial offensive boosts through its Angel token generation. The intricacy of its deployment and attack phase benefits stand in contrast to Weatherlight’s exploration-themed mechanic.

Assessing these similar cards highlights Parhelion II’s unique position in MTG. It is not only a potent offensive tool but also encapsulates the grandeur and strategic depth that distinguish MTG’s gameplay. Its angelic token generation capability underscores its potential for turning the tides in a player’s favor dramatically.

Skysovereign, Consul Flagship - MTG Card versions
Weatherlight - MTG Card versions
Skysovereign, Consul Flagship - MTG Card versions
Weatherlight - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Parhelion II by color, type and mana cost

Avacyn's Memorial - MTG Card versions
Avacyn's Memorial - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Parhelion II. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Abzan GreasefangAbzan Greasefang PioneerAbzan GreasefangMagicCon: Chicago - 2nd Chance PTQ
Esper GreasefangEsper Greasefang Pioneer4c GreasefangHBMO24 - GenX Comics and Games Pioneer 5k
Abzan AggroAbzan Aggro PioneerAbzan GreasefangHBMO24 - GenX Comics and Games Pioneer 5k
Mardu GreasefangMardu Greasefang PioneerMardu GreasefangPioneer Challenge 64 2024-03-17

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Parhelion II comes equipped with the capacity to create two 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying and vigilance when it attacks. This ongoing capacity contributes significantly to card advantage, as it consistently populates the board with potent threats without further card investment.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct means of accelerating resources in the traditional sense, Parhelion II’s ability to consistently churn out high-value creature tokens can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. Deploying substantial creatures without additional mana expenditure allows you to allocate resources elsewhere while escalating board presence.

Instant Speed: While Parhelion II itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its crew ability offers flexibility akin to that of an instant. It allows you to decide during your turn how to allocate your creatures’ capabilities best — whether to use them for attacking, crewing the Parhelion II, or keeping them back for defense.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Parhelion II necessitates the discard of another historic card to crew, which may strain your hand and reduce your ability to maintain card advantage during the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With a strict casting cost necessitating two white and six other mana, integrating Parhelion II into a deck demands a considerable commitment to white mana sources, potentially restricting deck-building flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at eight mana, Parhelion II’s deployment onto the battlefield is often slower than many other impactful plays, leaving players vulnerable as they gather the necessary resources.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Parhelion II is not only an impressive vehicle card but also serves a multitude of roles in decks that leverage flying creatures or artifact synergies. It can become a formidable threat in the air while also serving as a source of creature tokens.

Combo Potential: This iconic card pairs remarkably well with strategies that capitalize on tapping and untapping creatures or other cards that enhance vehicle effectiveness. As it creates Angel tokens, it can also reinforce strategies focused on token generation or white creature spells.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that appreciates resilient win conditions, Parhelion II stands out as a card that can persist through board wipes and provide a swift clock against opponents. Its use alongside cards that protect or recur artifacts can make it a recurrent threat in games.


How to beat

Parhelion II is a formidable artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, boasting an impressive suite of abilities that can quickly tip the scales in its controller’s favor. Piloting this awe-inspiring skyship requires a significant mana investment and setup, as it needs both ample resources and creatures to crew it. The key to dismantling Parhelion II’s advantage is to prevent it from becoming active on the battlefield.

Strategies to counter Parhelion II typically involve disrupting your opponent’s game plan early on. Artifact removal spells, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, allow you to directly target and eliminate Parhelion II before it can become a threat. Enchantment-based removal like Detention Sphere can also deal with Parhelion II efficiently, especially if your opponent has managed to crew it and bring it online. For decks that struggle with direct removal, employing counter spells when your opponent attempts to cast Parhelion II is a reliable measure to ensure the artifact never sees play.

It’s also crucial to maintain pressure on your adversary, forcing them to deploy resources defensively rather than saving up for their centerpiece artifact. By staying proactive and deploying threats, you can divert attention away from their game-winning strategy, capitalizing on their diverted focus to claim victory. In conclusion, the pathway to overcoming Parhelion II lies in early disruption, targeted removal, and unyielding aggression.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the high-flying adventure with Parhelion II in your MTG arsenal. With its ability to dominate the skies and accelerate your resource efficiencies, this legendary vehicle card offers a unique blend of power and strategic depth. Its synergy with token generation and artifact recovery can set you apart in the meta. Ready to harness the full potential of Parhelion II and revolutionize your game? We encourage you to learn more about integrating this celestial wonder into your deck and watch as it propels you towards victory. Embark on this strategic journey with us and see your gameplay soar to new heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Parhelion II MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and War of the Spark 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 Parhelion II and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Parhelion II Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by Adam Paquette.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 242015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
22019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 24s2015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
32022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 872015NormalBlackAdam Paquette

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Parhelion II has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-05-03 Although the tokens are attacking, they were never declared as attacking creatures (for the purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example).
2019-05-03 You choose which players or planeswalkers the two tokens are attacking. They don't have to be attacking the same player or planeswalker that Parhelion II is attacking, and they can each be attacking different players and/or planeswalkers.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.