Tormentor's Helm MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
| Released | 2021-02-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kaldheim |
| Set code | KHM |
| Number | 155 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zoltan Boros |
Key Takeaways
- Boosts creatures’ threat level, indirectly leading to card advantage and resource strain on the opponent.
- Its low cost and instant equip speed make it a flexible addition to aggressive red-based decks.
- Mana cost specifics and dependency on other creatures present strategic considerations for players.
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +1/+1. Whenever equipped creature becomes blocked, it deals 1 damage to defending player. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tormentor’s Helm may not explicitly draw cards, but equipping it to a creature helps secure its impact on the board. By potentially making a creature more threatening, it forces opponents to deal with it, thereby indirectly taxing their resources and leading to card advantage for the player with the helm.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing additional mana, the Tormentor’s Helm’s low equip cost enables players to deploy other spells sooner. This minor but significant economic benefit can add up over time, offering a more efficient use of mana resources across multiple turns.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Tormentor’s Helm lies in its ability to be equipped at instant speed. Although the helm itself isn’t an instant, its equip ability can be activated whenever you could play an instant, allowing for reactive play during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other equipment that can be freely attached, Tormentor’s Helm requires the player to have another creature on the battlefield to be effective, which can be a setback if your board is clear.
Specific Mana Cost: Tormentor’s Helm’s need for red mana restricts it primarily to red or multicolored decks, possibly excluding it from mono decks of different colors or strategies that don’t benefit from its aggressive nature.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its initial cost is low, the full value of Tormentor’s Helm only comes with its equipped ability, which requires an additional red mana every time you wish to attach it to a creature. Other equipment cards may provide more impactful benefits for the same or lower cost investment.
Reasons to Include Tormentor’s Helm in Your Collection
Versatility: Tormentor’s Helm is a low-cost equipment that can be slotted into a variety of red-based aggressive decks, enhancing even the smallest creatures with a persistent power boost.
Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies focused on equipment synergies or those that capitalize on dealing damage through equipped creatures. It’s a great inclusion for decks looking to exploit various combat tricks and abilities.
Meta-Relevance: Considering its low mana investment and the ability to slightly bypass defensive lines, Tormentor’s Helm can be particularly effective in a meta that favors creature-heavy strategies, giving you an edge in combat and maintaining pressure on your opponent.
How to beat Tormentor’s Helm
Tormentor’s Helm, an equipment card in Magic: The Gathering, can be a persistent thorn in the side of any opponent. This artifact has the unique ability to be attached to one of your creatures, providing a power boost and the chance to chip away at an opponent’s life total directly. When facing off against this card, consider focusing on artifact removal or creature control to effectively disarm your adversary.
Valor in Akros and Fiendslayer Paladin are examples of cards that can become significant roadblocks for Tormentor’s Helm. These cards bolster your defenses and provide life gain or protection, respectively. Alternatively, Natural State and Disenchant are classic spells that target artifacts directly, offering a clean solution to the pesky Helm without the need to engage with the creature it’s equipping.
It’s important to anticipate artifacts like Tormentor’s Helm and include answers to them in your deck. MTG is a game of strategy where predicting and preemptively countering your opponent’s moves is paramount. Packing your deck with versatile removal or creatures that can survive the enhanced attacks will give you a fighting chance against the relentless pressure Tormentor’s Helm can apply.
Cards like Tormentor's Helm
Tormentor’s Helm stands out in the realm of equipment cards within Magic: The Gathering, infusing a creature with a power boost and a touch of strategic depth. When drawing parallels, it is often compared to cards like Short Sword, which similarly provides a modest bump to a creature’s power. However, Tormentor’s Helm edges ahead with the potential to deal damage to the blocking player, carving a niche for itself as an aggressive accessory for creatures.
Another counterpart worth mentioning is the card Leonin Scimitar. Like the Helm, Leonin Scimitar comes with an equip cost of just one mana, maintaining a low barrier to outfitting creatures. Though its sole function is to slightly strengthen your creatures, it lacks the Helm’s unique ability to chip away an opponent’s life total upon being blocked. Finally, examining Skullclamp reveals a distinct difference in utility; while Skullclamp offers a significant draw power upon the death of a creature, it does not directly support an offensive strategy like Tormentor’s Helm, which pushes damage through even when creatures are defended against.
Assessing card-to-card, Tormentor’s Helm is a compact yet effective tool for players looking to enhance their assault tactics, nicely positioning itself among MTG equipment cards with a subtle yet impactful ability to pressure the opponent.
Cards similar to Tormentor's Helm by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tormentor's Helm MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Tormentor's Helm 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 MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tormentor's Helm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
