Flameborn Hellion MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Hellion |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Released | 2010-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scars of Mirrodin |
| Set code | SOM |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 89 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Aleksi Briclot |
Key Takeaways
- The Flameborn Hellion requires a strategic response, making it a potential source of card advantage for the controller.
- Its haste ability and high power create immediate threats, ideal for fast-paced, aggressive MTG strategies.
- Despite its strengths, it demands consideration for deck synergy due to mana specificity and attack compulsion.
Text of card
Haste Flameborn Hellion attacks each turn if able.
"The most reliable omen of a future hellion attack is a past hellion attack." —Spear-Tribe teaching
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Flameborn Hellion itself does not directly provide card draw, it demands an immediate answer due to its high power. This can potentially lead to a 2-for-1 situation if your opponent is forced to use more than one card to deal with it, thereby indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: The Flameborn Hellion doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration but can be a catalyst for aggressive strategies that prioritize rapid damage output over mana development. Its presence bolsters the board state in such a way that it compensates for the lack of direct mana acceleration by applying pressure on the opponent’s resources.
Instant Speed: Even though Flameborn Hellion operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the game state can be immediate and severe. Its haste ability ensures that it can make an instantaneous impression by allowing for direct attacks as soon as it hits the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Flameborn Hellion’s dashing ability can put you at a card disadvantage by requiring you to discard, potentially depleting your hand and hampering your long-term game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a combination of generic and red mana to cast can restrict Flameborn Hellion to red-centric decks, making it less flexible for multi-color deck inclusion.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For six mana, Flameborn Hellion’s impact on the battlefield might not be as significant compared to other creatures or spells in the same cost bracket, potentially reducing its overall effectiveness in battle.
Reasons to Include Flameborn Hellion in Your Collection
Versatility: Flameborn Hellion offers aggressive strategies the flexibity to push through late-game defenses. Its high power and haste make it a potent threat in various red-based decks, especially those seeking a formidable finisher.
Combo Potential: As a creature with a substantial attack value, it pairs well with cards designed to capitalize on creatures dealing damage. Synergizing with cards that amplify attack damage or trigger abilities upon dealing combat damage can make Flameborn Hellion a key piece of devastating combos.
Meta-Relevance: With a swift and hard-hitting nature, Flameborn Hellion can hold its own in a meta that favors quick, aggressive play. It’s particularly effective against decks that struggle to muster early defenses, allowing it to contribute significantly to a game’s outcome before opponents can stabilize.
How to beat
Flameborn Hellion is an intriguing creature card that charges into the battlefield with a noteworthy six power and haste, demanding instant attention. Unlike defensive staples, this red card thrives on aggression but comes with an Achilles heel – it must attack each turn if able. This compulsion reveals a strategy for opponents looking to circumvent its fiery onslaught. Players facing a Hellion would do well by setting up adequate blockers or utilizing removal spells. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile could promptly remove the creature before it can become a recurring threat.
Control decks packed with counterspells such as Counterspell or Essence Scatter can prevent the Hellion from ever touching the board, nullifying its potential impact in a game. By focusing on stalling the opponent’s aggressive strategies and maintaining board control, a player can navigate around the threat of Flameborn Hellion. Effective board management ensures that even if the Hellion arrives, you can extinguish its fire before it begins to burn through your life points.
In summation, conquering Flameborn Hellion is about preparation and control. By employing removal, counterspells, or strategic blockers, players can easily outwit the Hellion’s rage and steer a game towards victory.
Cards like Flameborn Hellion
Flameborn Hellion offers an intriguing gameplay dynamic within the red creature archetype of Magic: The Gathering. It shares a kinship with creatures like Inferno Hellion, both featuring high power and trample to overpower defenses. However, Flameborn Hellion demands a continuous attack each turn, giving its controller an ongoing aggressive presence compared to Inferno Hellion’s one-time impact in a turn due to its vanishing mechanic.
Akin to Flameborn Hellion is another comparable creature, Bloodthirsty Ogre. While differing in power, the Ogre requires specific conditions to be met to utilize its ability, whereas Flameborn Hellion is straightforward with its aggressive play style. The Ogre’s potential dependency on other cards contrasts with the Hellion’s self-reliant nature.
When juxtaposing Flameborn Hellion with similar red creatures, it’s clear it sustains a relentless force in the battlefield. It’s this constant offensive potential that places Flameborn Hellion in a unique role, differentiating it from other high-powered, trample-enabling creatures in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Flameborn Hellion by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flameborn Hellion MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Flameborn Hellion and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flameborn Hellion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flameborn Hellion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | If, during your declare attackers step, Flameborn Hellion is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t attack, or is affected by “summoning sickness,” then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having Flameborn Hellion attack, you aren’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either. |
