Helm of Possession MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Number	291
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Janet Aulisio

Key Takeaways

Turns expendable creatures into control power, taking charge of opponents’ key threats during matches.
Demands a creature sacrifice and mana, which may disrupt your playing rhythm and board development.
Enhances various deck types with its versatile control capabilities and powerful combo potential across games.

Text of card

You may choose not to untap Helm of Possession during your untap phase. , oc T, Sacrifice a creature: Gain control of target creature as long as you control Helm of Possession and Helm of Possession remains tapped.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Helm of Possession enables you to take control of your opponent’s creatures, effectively reducing their board presence while increasing your own. This switch can easily tip the scales in your favor, giving you an upper hand in the match.

Resource Acceleration: By utilizing creatures you no longer need, such as expendable tokens or those destined for the graveyard, Helm of Possession transforms these expendable assets into a powerful control tool. This ability to convert low-value resources into significant threats is a form of indirect resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: While the activation of Helm of Possession itself is not at instant speed, it can be used in response to removal spells or during the end step before your turn, making it a flexible and unpredictable tool. The threat of activation can deter opponents from committing to their best creatures, giving you a psychological edge.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Helm of Possession needs a creature sacrifice to activate its control-stealing ability, presenting a potential setback for decks that can’t easily spare creatures or that derive value from keeping a full board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Helm of Possession’s unique ability requires not just the sacrifice of a creature but also the expenditure of two generic mana. This decouples it from decks that only generate colored mana or that have mana tightly allocated for other synergistic plays each turn.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana investment for its initial cast, Helm of Possession demands a significant early to mid-game resource dedication that can put players behind if they don’t have immediate means to make use of its control capabilities.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Helm of Possession is a unique artifact that has a solid place in various deck archetypes. Its ability to take control of any creature on the battlefield makes it an asset in games where commandeering key creatures can shift the tide in your favor.

Combo Potential: This card shines when used in tandem with creature sacrifice strategies. It allows players to convert temporary creatures, tokens or those destined for the graveyard, into permanent control of opponents’ threats, making it a cog in many powerful combo engines.

Meta-Relevance: Given its disruptive capabilities, Helm of Possession has relevance in a meta full of creature-centric decks. It grants control decks a powerful tool to remove threats while fortifying their board presence, making it a noteworthy inclusion in any collection geared towards competitive play.

How to beat

Helm of Possession is a unique and powerful artifact within Magic: The Gathering that enables players to take control of their opponents’ creatures. Navigating around its potent ability can be challenging. The artifact requires you to sacrifice a creature as part of the cost to use its control-taking effect, making it a formidable card when used strategically.

One effective approach to counteract Helm of Possession is through the use of instant-speed removal spells that can disrupt the sacrificial process. Another strategy is to limit the number of viable creatures on your battlefield, making it less appealing for the opponent to activate the Helm. You could also employ counterspells to prevent the Helm from hitting the board in the first place or artifacts/enchantment removal to handle it after it’s been played.

Ultimately, the key to beating Helm of Possession lies in anticipation and preparedness. Keep removal handy, manage your creature presence wisely, and be ready to neutralize it when the opportunity arises. Understanding and predicting your opponent’s likely moves can greatly diminish the impact of this potent artifact on your game plan.

Cards like Helm of Possession

Helm of Possession stands out in the realm of artifact-based control in Magic: The Gathering. This powerful artifact shares similarities with Control Magic, a classic enchantment that enables you to gain control of an opponent’s creature. However, Helm of Possession requires a sacrifice to activate this ability, offering a continuous control option at the cost of your own board presence.

Another parallel can be drawn with the likes of Mind Control, which allows for a permanent shift in creature loyalty while it remains on the battlefield. Yet, Helm of Possession is unique in that it can be reused, trading different creatures from your side of the field to maintain a grip over potential threats or key pieces of your adversary’s strategy.

Considering this, Helm of Possession provides a tactical edge in creature management and versatility. Its capability to adapt to various game states and disrupt opponent strategies solidifies its position as a treasured tool among MTG cards that allow players to commandeer opposing forces.

Cards similar to Helm of Possession by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Helm of Possession MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Helm of Possession and other MTG cards: