Blitz Hellion MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Hellion |
| Abilities | Haste,Trample |
| Released | 2009-04-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alara Reborn |
| Set code | ARB |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
| Number | 49 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Anthony S. Waters |
Key Takeaways
- Blitz Hellion’s board impact can offset its lack of direct card advantage.
- Its synergy with ramp strategies can lead to early-game dominance.
- Utilize instant-speed spells and effects to maximize its trample ability.
Text of card
Trample, haste At end of turn, Blitz Hellion's owner shuffles it into his or her library.
Alarans commemorated its appearances with new holidays bearing names like the Great Cataclysm and the Fall of Ilson Gate.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blitz Hellion doesn’t provide direct card advantage in the traditional sense, but its overwhelming presence on the board forces opponents to deal with it immediately, often requiring them to spend more resources than you did.
Resource Acceleration: While Blitz Hellion itself doesn’t accelerate your resources, it synergizes well in decks that focus on ramping. With the ability to hit the field early thanks to mana acceleration, it can serve as a high-impact play that capitalizes on your resource lead.
Instant Speed: Although Blitz Hellion is not an instant, its trample ability combined with a powerful attack stat means any buffs or combat tricks you employ at instant speed can prove devastating. It encourages a dynamic playstyle where you can maximize the impact of your instants during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Blitz Hellion can be a powerful creature, it requires you to sacrifice it at the beginning of the end step unless it’s returned to your hand. This requirement can be a setback as it prevents you from making long-term plans for the card’s presence on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Blitz Hellion’s cost is restricted to Red and Green mana, which can be challenging in multicolored decks that struggle to generate the specific combination efficiently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At five mana, including two that must be Green and one that must be Red, Blitz Hellion’s high casting cost might not align with the tempo of more aggressive decks, especially given its temporary board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Blitz Hellion offers a unique flexibility, fitting well into aggressive red-green decks that demand high-impact creatures. Its trample ability makes it a formidable force against a wide variety of defensive line-ups.
Combo Potential: This creature’s ability to return to its owner’s hand at the beginning of the end step can be beneficial. It works well with effects that allow you to play creatures at instant speed or with cards that reward you for playing creatures with high power.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that rewards quick, decisive action, Blitz Hellion’s haste and substantial 7 power strike the perfect balance between speed and strength, making it a relevant choice for players looking to overtake their opponents before they can establish their board.
How to beat
Blitz Hellion is an aggressive creature card that can deal substantial damage quickly in MTG. Its trample ability means it can overwhelm defenses by dealing excess damage to the player even if blocked. But this card has a downside – it returns to its owner’s hand at the beginning of the end step. This quirk can be exploited.
To counter Blitz Hellion effectively, utilize instant-speed removal spells that can deal with it before it hits. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push are excellent as they can remove the threat regardless of its size. Alternatively, use cards that force the opponent to sacrifice attacking creatures, such as Settle the Wreckage. This not only deals with Blitz Hellion but can also clear out multiple attackers at once.
Finally, since Blitz Hellion must attack each turn if able, controlling your opponent’s combat phase with cards like Maze of Ith or Ensnaring Bridge can neutralize it, ensuring it doesn’t inflict any damage. By planning ahead and keeping your defenses versatile, you can turn Blitz Hellion’s ferocity into a fleeting concern on your path to victory.
Cards like Blitz Hellion
Blitz Hellion presents an interesting dynamic to creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest kin in terms of ephemeral board presence and high power is Ball Lightning. Both creatures boast a mighty punch with a short stay on the battlefield, offering aggressive players a chance to deal substantial damage swiftly. Unlike Ball Lightning, Blitz Hellion isn’t susceptible to blockers due to its trample ability, enabling it to push excess damage through.
Then we have Lightning Serpent, which shares the trample and end-of-turn exile, but stands out with its X cost, allowing for flexible mana investment and potential for even greater power. Also worth noting is Spark Trooper, a card with lifelink that can swing not only the board state but also the life totals in your favor during the turn it enters the battlefield.
Each of these cards offers its own tactical advantages, but Blitz Hellion is particularly notable for its ability to be recast each turn, a recurring threat that demands an answer. In the fast-paced world of MTG, a card like Blitz Hellion can be a key component in a strategy that aims to outpace and overwhelm opponents quickly.
Cards similar to Blitz Hellion by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blitz Hellion MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn, 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 Blitz 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 Blitz Hellion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Blitz Hellion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-05-01 | A token that’s copying Blitz Hellion will be shuffled into its owner’s library when this ability resolves, then will cease to exist. For practical purposes, the token should not actually be put into the library, though the library is still shuffled. |
| 2009-05-01 | Blitz Hellion’s last ability triggers at the end of each turn in which it’s on the battlefield. If it’s not on the battlefield by the time this ability resolves, nothing happens. Blitz Hellion stays wherever it is, and its owner doesn’t shuffle their library. |
