Thundermaw Hellkite MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying,Haste
Power 5
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Its damage to flying creatures when played tilts board control, presenting a form of card advantage.
  2. Five-mana cost demands commitment, yet yields immediate, potentially game-accelerating pressure.
  3. Haste ability offers a surprising attack, akin to instant speed’s unpredictability and impact.

Text of card

Flying Haste (This creature can attack and as soon as it comes under your control.) When Thundermaw Hellkite enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to each creature with flying your opponents control. Tap those creatures.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Thundermaw Hellkite may not directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to deal damage to all flying creatures the opponent controls can effectively remove multiple threats at once. This board impact can equate to gaining card advantage by dealing with several of an opponent’s cards with just one of yours.

Resource Acceleration: Thundermaw Hellkite is a powerhouse that doesn’t require resource acceleration to be effective. However, its five-mana cost and immediate board presence can put pressure on the opponent, forcing them to respond and potentially accelerating the pace of the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: As a creature, Thundermaw Hellkite operates at sorcery speed, but its haste ability allows it to attack the moment it comes into play. This surprise factor can catch an opponent off guard, mimicking the unpredictability and reactionary advantage often associated with instant speed plays.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Thundermaw Hellkite demands a precise mana cost with a heavy lean on red sources. This requires a substantial commitment to red mana and can restrict deck-building options, limiting its inclusion to primarily red or red-centric multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including three red, this creature falls into the higher end of the mana curve. In fast-paced games, this may be too slow compared to other creatures or spells that offer immediate impact on the game state for less mana.

Discard Requirement: While Thundermaw Hellkite doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, its high mana cost can indirectly lead to a smaller hand size as players need to keep the mana open to play it, effectively leaving fewer options in hand to respond to an opponent’s moves.


Reasons to Include Thundermaw Hellkite in Your Collection

Versatility: Thundermaw Hellkite is a powerful addition to any red deck, capable of dealing immediate impact when played. Its ability to engage in combat the moment it hits the board offers flexibility in both aggressive and control strategies.

Combo Potential: This dragon’s ability to tap down flying creatures makes it a formidable combo piece, clearing the skies for direct attacks or working in concert with cards that punish tapped creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prominence of flying creatures in many MTG formats, Thundermaw Hellkite provides a counter measure that is always relevant. Its swift damage output can quickly turn the tides in your favor in an ever-evolving game environment.


How to beat

Thundermaw Hellkite is a powerful creature card known for its swift attacks and board impact in MTG. When facing this formidable dragon, it’s crucial to disrupt its game plan early. Utilize instant-speed removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push to handle the Hellkite before it can declare an attack. Given its haste ability, you’ll need to react swiftly. Cards that can exile Thundermaw Hellkite, like Swords to Plowshares, are especially effective as they prevent it from returning to the battlefield.

Alternatively, counter spells are your best defense as they can stop the Hellkite cold while it’s still on the stack. A well-timed Counterspell or Mana Leak could save you from taking a heavy hit. For those leaning on creature-based strategies, reach or flying creatures, like Spider tokens or Archangel Avacyn, can intercept and potentially defeat Thundermaw Hellkite in combat. Lastly, don’t overlook the value of board wipes. A Supreme Verdict or Damnation clears the way, removing the Hellkite regardless of any protective measures your opponent might have. Be strategic, and this dragon’s reign can be effectively challenged.


BurnMana Recommendations

The journey of mastering Magic: The Gathering is filled with strategic decisions and rich synergies, Thundermaw Hellkite being a prime example of a card that demands a keen understanding of timing and impact. As you harness its power to clear skies and deliver decisive blows, remember to consider its role in your deck’s overall strategy. Whether you’re bolstering your collection or optimizing your gameplay, the presence of a Thundermaw Hellkite can sway the momentum in your favor. We encourage you to dive deeper, discover its intricacies, and integrate its strengths into your winning formula. Interested in leveling up your MTG arsenal? Explore further with us and make your next match unforgettable.


Cards like Thundermaw Hellkite

Thundermaw Hellkite has carved its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a formidable flying creature. Its comparison with other dragon cards like Stormbreath Dragon brings to light their shared traits of flying and haste, enabling fast-paced attacks. Thundermaw Hellkite steps up with its unique ability to deal damage to and tap all flying creatures the opponent controls, clearing the skies for an unobstructed assault.

Diving further into the lineage of powerful dragons, we encounter Glorybringer, another creature with a striking impact on the battlefield. While Glorybringer offers exertion to destroy a creature, Thundermaw Hellkite’s sweeping ability can be consistently reliable, especially against decks with numerous flying threats. In essence, each dragon has its own set of strategic advantages.

The balance between cost, effect, and board presence is critical when evaluating these cards against each other. Thundermaw Hellkite emerges as a go-to choice for a swift and immediate impact on the game’s aerial dynamics, standing strong amidst the pantheon of dragon creatures in MTG.

Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions
Glorybringer - MTG Card versions
Stormbreath Dragon - Theros (THS)
Glorybringer - Amonkhet Promos (PAKH)

Cards similar to Thundermaw Hellkite by color, type and mana cost

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Earth Elemental - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Eron the Relentless - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Balduvian War-Makers - Alliances (ALL)
Hivis of the Scale - Mirage (MIR)
Hulking Cyclops - Visions (VIS)
Flame Spirit - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Flowstone Salamander - Tempest (TMP)
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Covetous Dragon - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Thundering Giant - Tenth Edition (10E)
Dwarven Strike Force - Odyssey (ODY)
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Tephraderm - Onslaught (ONS)
Avarax - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Bonethorn Valesk - Scourge (SCG)
Frost Ogre - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Heartless Hidetsugu - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Shard Phoenix - Junior APAC Series (PJAS)
Soul of Magma - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thundermaw Hellkite MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Iconic Masters, 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 Thundermaw Hellkite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thundermaw Hellkite Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2017-11-17. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-07-13Magic 2013M13 1502003normalblackSvetlin Velinov
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1492015normalblackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thundermaw Hellkite has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thundermaw Hellkite card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2017-11-17 If the damage that would be dealt to a creature with flying is prevented, that creature will still be tapped. If that damage is redirected to another creature, the creature with flying will be tapped, not necessarily the creature that ultimately was dealt damage.
2017-11-17 Thundermaw Hellkite will deal 1 damage to each creature with flying your opponents control whether those creatures are tapped or untapped.

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