Shivan Hellkite MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 214
2007-07-13 - Number 231★
2007-07-13 - Number 231
2011-04-01 - Number 60
2021-07-23 - Number 139
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying o1oo R Shivan Hellkite deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
A dragon's scale can be carved into a mighty shield, provided you can procure a dragontooth to cut it.
Cards like Shivan Hellkite
Shivan Hellkite is a classic creature from the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of flying might and direct damage. When placing it alongside its kindred dragon cards like Dragon Mage, we see a distinct divergence in utility. Dragon Mage emphasizes reshuffling players’ hands with its wheel effect after dealing combat damage, while Shivan Hellkite opts for precision with its ability to target creatures or players directly.
Drawing parallels with Thundermaw Hellkite, another formidable dragon, we notice a trade-off between speed and control. Thundermaw Hellkite makes an immediate impact with its ability to tap down flying creatures upon entry, allowing for swift attacks. Shivan Hellkite, in contrast, offers prolonged board influence through its flexible damage output—a significant strategic asset. Similarly, Stormbreath Dragon presents as a resilient threat with protection from white, and its monstrous ability adds considerable late-game power. However, it lacks the Shivan Hellkite’s consistent board control potential.
Ultimately, within the realm of formidable dragon cards in Magic: The Gathering, Shivan Hellkite stands out for its ability to adapt to multiple board states and control the pace of battle through its versatile damage capabilities.
Cards similar to Shivan Hellkite by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shivan Hellkite provides an inherent advantage by offering a repeatable damage source directly from the battlefield. By converting your excess mana into targeted damage, you can effectively control the board, picking off smaller creatures or chipping away at an opponent’s life total without using additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: This fierce dragon isn’t directly tied to resource acceleration, but in a deck designed around ramp or with the support of mana generation artifacts and enchantments, Shivan Hellkite’s activated ability becomes a highly potent force. It’s noteworthy how well it synergizes with effects that untap your creatures or lands, amplifying its potential to dominate the game.
Instant Speed: Shivan Hellkite’s ability to deal damage operates at instant speed, providing flexibility and control over the timing of your actions. This allows you to keep mana open for other spells or abilities and use the Hellkite’s capability as a direct threat during any phase of the turn, keeping opponents wary at all times.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Shivan Hellkite doesn’t require a card discard, but understanding such mechanics is vital since it can impact your hand and the variety of your plays, especially when setting up for this dragon’s fiery entrance.
Specific Mana Cost: Shivan Hellkite requires a heavy color commitment with a casting cost that includes two red mana. This can restrict its playability, mostly relegating it to mono-red or heavily red-influenced decks, potentially limiting its scope across various MTG formats.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of seven mana, Shivan Hellkite can be seen as a late-game play. In a game where speed can be of the essence, its mana cost may seem cumbersome when faster, lower-cost creatures could be put into play to exert pressure on your opponent sooner.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shivan Hellkite’s ability to deal direct damage provides a flexible approach to controlling the battlefield. It can efficiently manage small creature threats or even close out games when your opponent’s life total is within reach.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, this dragon can become a linchpin in combos that utilize untapping mechanics or damage amplifiers to create continuous damage outputs or devastating single-turn strikes.
Meta-Relevance: Shivan Hellkite can play a significant role in meta-games that favor large, impactful creatures. Its presence can swing board states in your favor against creature-heavy decks or in games that stall into longer battles where it can reign supreme.
How to Beat Shivan Hellkite
Shivan Hellkite brings fiery power to the battlefield with its capacity for direct damage and aerial domination. To emerge victorious against this formidable dragon, players need to employ smart removal tactics. Instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently deal with the Hellkite before it unleashes destructive blows. For those in blue, a counterspell timed right can prevent this dragon from hitting the board in the first place.
Enchantment-based removal such as Pacifism or white’s classic Oblivion Ring can neutralize the Hellkite without triggering death effects that some creatures have. Red may struggle with larger creatures, but combining direct damage spells to accumulate enough damage can overcome this obstacle. Green has the advantage of powerful creatures that can fight or outsize Shivan Hellkite, while black excels in forcing the opponent to sacrifice their threats.
Preparing a balanced strategy with a mix of creature, artifact, and enchantment removal increases the odds of countering every play Shivan Hellkite intends to make. Keep in mind, maintaining board control and holding onto key cards until the ideal moment is fundamental in pinning down this towering threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shivan Hellkite MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Tenth Edition, 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 Shivan Hellkite and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Shivan Hellkite Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 214 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Bob Eggleton | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 231★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 231 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2011-04-01 | Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons | DDG | 60 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 5 | 2021-07-23 | Forgotten Realms Commander | AFC | 139 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shivan Hellkite has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |