Retraction Helix MTG Card
2014-02-07 - Number 49
2018-03-16 - Number 71
2019-11-07 - Number 467
2020-09-26 - Number A25-71
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Until end of turn, target creature gains ": Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand."
Where the geometries of the world collapse, a master of the Æther can harvest power beyond comprehending.
Cards like Retraction Helix
Retraction Helix stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile instant that can temporarily neutralize threats or cleverly re-use enter-the-battlefield effects. It bears resemblance to cards like Unsummon, which also returns a creature to its owner’s hand. What sets Retraction Helix apart is its ability to target any permanent, not just creatures, giving players additional ways to interrupt the opponent’s strategy.
Another card echoing this mechanic is Banishing Knack, virtually identical in effect to Retraction Helix, offering the same cost and flexibility. However, Banishing Knack is older, less known, and often overlooked in favor of Retraction Helix due to its wider recognition. Vapor Snag is another relevant card, it too returns a creature to hand, but also inflicts one damage to its controller, a small yet potentially game-altering advantage.
All in all, Retraction Helix offers a tactical edge in any deck employing temporary removal of threats or desiring to exploit reusable permanent effects. Its instant-speed utility combined with the breadth of potential targets ensures its place in player’s decks seeking a quick, low-cost solution to a variety of game situations.
Cards similar to Retraction Helix by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Retraction Helix. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jeskai Ascendancy | Pioneer | Jeskai Ascendancy | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-02-25 |
 | U | Modern | Modern Challenge 32 2024-04-29 | |
 | Sultai Rona Combo | Pioneer | Sultai Rona Combo | Pioneer Preliminary 2024-04-23 (1) |
 | 4c Rona Combo | Pioneer | 4c Rona Combo | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-08 |
 | Sultai Slivers | Modern | Goryo's Vengeance | Grand Open Qualifier Prague 2024 |
| Asmo Reanimator | Modern | Goryo's Vengeance | Grand Open Qualifier Prague 2024 |
 | Jeskai Ascendancy Combo | Pioneer | Jeskai Ascendancy | ReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Philadelphia - Friday - 1:30 pm (Bronze) |
 | Goryo's Vengeance | Modern | Goryo's Vengeance | Modern Challenge 96 2024-02-24 |
| Rona Lukka Combo | Pioneer | 4c Rona Combo | Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Retraction Helix itself doesn’t draw cards, it can potentially generate card advantage by reusing enter-the-battlefield effects or saving your own permanents from removal.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, this card can be crucial for reusing mana dorks or untapping permanents that produce multiple resources, leading to a form of indirect acceleration.
Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed, Retraction Helix becomes a versatile tool, enabling reactive plays or surprising interactions during an opponent’s turn, keeping your strategy flexible and unpredictable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Retraction Helix does not require a card to be discarded, it necessitates having another creature on the battlefield to target. This can be a limiting factor, especially in situations where your board is clear or if you’re facing removal-heavy decks that keep your creature count low. Without a valid target, Retraction Helix is essentially dead in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Retraction Helix demands a single blue mana, making it exclusive to blue-inclined or blue decks. This requirement restricts deckbuilding and can be problematic in multicolored mana bases where blue mana is not consistently accessible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even though Retraction Helix only costs one blue mana, it’s an investment that only temporarily removes a threat. In certain instances, other cards that permanently deal with threats or change the board state in a more impactful way might be preferred, especially since the card’s effect hinges on having a non-summoning sick creature to target.
Reasons to Include Retraction Helix in Your Collection
Versatility: Retraction Helix offers significant flexibility to players by allowing them to temporarily remove threats or reuse their own comes-into-play effects. It’s an instant, hence it can be played at any time, fitting seamlessly into control or tempo decks.
Combo Potential: With its ability to untap a creature and effectively turn any creature into a temporary removal tool, Retraction Helix can become a key component in intricate combo setups, especially in decks that focus on tapping and untapping creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where permanents with powerful activated abilities are prevalent, or where aggro decks rely on key creatures, Retraction Helix’s capacity to disrupt your opponent’s plans at a crucial moment makes it a card worth considering for inclusion in your deck to gain a strategic edge.
How to beat
Retraction Helix proves to be a versatile card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering players the power to return nonland permanents to their owner’s hand. As a counterpart to classic bounce spells like Unsummon, Retraction Helix allows for creative strategies by turning any creature into a temporary bounce effect. To effectively counter this card, one must deploy tactics that limit the opponent’s ability to target or use their creatures. Creature removal spells or effects that restrict casting at instant speed can disrupt the utilization of Retraction Helix.
Moreover, consider cards like Pithing Needle or Phyrexian Revoker which can prevent the named creature from using its granted ability. Anticipating the opponent’s move and holding up mana for instant-speed interaction can be the key to neutralizing their strategy. Tactical use of counterspells or even instant-speed removal can ensure Retraction Helix never finds its target or leverage. It’s a dance of wits and timing, requiring precise play to maintain control over the game state and keep Retraction Helix from turning the tide in your opponent’s favor.
In sum, while Retraction Helix offers players a dynamic tool, it can also be seen as a hurdle, one that savvy players can overcome through preventive measures and clever counterplay. Remaining vigilant and strategic can ensure you stay one step ahead and mitigate the impacts of this formidable card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Retraction Helix MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods and Masters 25, 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 Retraction Helix and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Retraction Helix Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Phill Simmer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-02-07 | Born of the Gods | BNG | 49 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Phill Simmer | |
| 2 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 71 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Phill Simmer | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 467 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Phill Simmer | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | A25-71 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Phill Simmer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Retraction Helix has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |