Warleader's Helix MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. The Helix’s dual function promotes board control while strengthening player life totals, making it a versatile card.
  2. Instant speed provides pivotal flexibility to disrupt opponents or shift battle dynamics in the player’s favor.
  3. Despite its power, the Helix’s strict mana cost and pace can challenge its inclusion in some decks.

Text of card

Warleader's Helix deals 4 damage to target creature or player and you gain 4 life.

"There is no time to remedy our enemies' ignorance. Blast it out of them." —Aurelia


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Warleader’s Helix shines in its ability to not only deal a substantial amount of damage but also provides a noteworthy life swing. The effect enables players to remove key threats on the board while simultaneously bolstering their life total, setting up a better standing in both their defense and offensive strategies.

Resource Acceleration: While Warleader’s Helix itself doesn’t provide a direct means of resource acceleration, the life gained can often equate to an extra cushion against aggressive strategies, effectively giving players more time and thus more resources to work with in the long game.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed offers flexibility, allowing players to strategically choose the best moment for its use. This can be during the opponent’s turn to disrupt their plays or at a point where it can maximize the turn of the tides during combat scenarios or in response to an opponent’s actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Warleader’s Helix doesn’t have a discard requirement, players must be mindful of the card’s demand on resources. Without a strong hand, casting it might lead to a weaker board presence or missed opportunities for more impactful plays the same turn.

Specific Mana Cost: Warleader’s Helix requires a precise blend of mana to cast—one red and one white, plus two additional of any type. This can make it a challenging fit for multicolor decks that may not have the right mana available at the crucial moment.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, including two that are color-specific, Warleader’s Helix can be considered costly, especially when weighed against cards with similar effects. In situations where speed is of the essence, its casting cost might be a significant drawback, potentially slowing down the game plan of more aggressive strategies.


Reasons to Include Warleader’s Helix in Your Collection

Versatility: Warleader’s Helix is an excellent addition to a diverse array of decks, extending its utility beyond just one archetype. This card is a powerhouse in any build looking to deal damage while gaining life, serving as both a removal spell and a source of sustain.

Combo Potential: This card can easily become part of intricate combos or synergize with mechanics that reward life gained or damage dealt. Its instant speed also allows for tactical plays during a match, keeping your opponents on their toes.

Meta-Relevance: Particularly in environments where burn strategies or aggro decks are prevalent, Warleader’s Helix shines as a method to stabilize your life total while removing threats. It’s a smart choice for those anticipating direct damage confrontations or looking to turn the tide in a close game.


How to beat

Warleader’s Helix is a potent card in MTG that not only deals 4 damage to any target but also grants the player 4 life points—a dual advantage that can swing the game. However, like any strategy in MTG, there are methods to mitigate or counteract its effects. To beat this card, it’s essential to consider its cost. With a casting cost that includes two red and two white mana, it’s not the quickest card to hit the battlefield. Playing a low-cost counterspell can effectively neutralize it before it casts its dual threat.

Shielding your most valuable creatures with hexproof or using protection spells can limit the impact of the damage component. As for the life gain, having a steady offensive strategy can help balance out the life your opponent gains from Warleader’s Helix. Moreover, cards that restrict life gain or react to it by inflicting damage or providing you with benefits can offset the life advantage your opponent receives. The key is to anticipate this high-impact spell and maintain a defense that keeps its benefits in check. Ultimately, with the right counterplay, Warleader’s Helix doesn’t have to dictate the outcome of a match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Warleader’s Helix offers a dynamic blend of damage and life gain that can tip the scales in your favor. Its value extends from removing threats to giving you a crucial life buffer, key for outlasting opponents. While it requires a precise mana setup and carries a higher casting cost, the strategic benefits often outweigh its limitations. Consider its versatility in a variety of decks and the potential to shape the match in crucial moments. If you’re looking to harness the power of this formidable spell and revolutionize your gameplay, expand your MTG insight with us, and discover how to make Warleader’s Helix a cornerstone of your winning strategy.


Cards like Warleader's Helix

Warleader’s Helix stands as a strong contender in the realm of life-gaining burn spells in Magic: The Gathering. It’s not unlike Lightning Helix, with both cards harnessing the dual power of dealing damage and gaining life. Where Warleader’s Helix takes the edge, is in the magnitude of its effect, delivering a more significant punch with four damage and four life restored, as opposed to Lightning Helix’s three.

Analogously, we have Searing Blaze, which shares the burn aspect but focuses more on targeted play, requiring a landfall condition for an optimal strike. While Searing Blaze can be more situational, Warleader’s Helix offers a consistent and immediate bolster to both your offense and defense, minus the conditional requirement. Then there’s Char, another related card, providing a hefty deal of damage to any target, but at the cost of harming its caster as well.

In essence, Warleader’s Helix provides a balanced blend of aggression and sustenance, making it a powerful choice for players looking to impact the board and their life total simultaneously. Its upfront cost is matched by its robust effect, solidifying its place within Magic: The Gathering’s arsenal of versatile spells.

Lightning Helix - MTG Card versions
Searing Blaze - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Lightning Helix - MTG Card versions
Searing Blaze - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Warleader's Helix by color, type and mana cost

Master Warcraft - MTG Card versions
War Flare - MTG Card versions
Heartwarming Redemption - MTG Card versions
Zenith Flare - MTG Card versions
Heroic Charge - MTG Card versions
Olórin's Searing Light - MTG Card versions
Take the Bait - MTG Card versions
Master Warcraft - MTG Card versions
War Flare - MTG Card versions
Heartwarming Redemption - MTG Card versions
Zenith Flare - MTG Card versions
Heroic Charge - MTG Card versions
Olórin's Searing Light - MTG Card versions
Take the Bait - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Warleader's Helix MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dragon's Maze, 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 Warleader's Helix and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Warleader's Helix Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 515402003NormalBlackWesley Burt
22013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 1162003NormalBlackGreg Staples
32014-01-01Friday Night Magic 2014F14 12003NormalBlackWesley Burt
42018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 2102015NormalBlackWesley Burt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Warleader's Helix has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-12-07 If the chosen target becomes an illegal target for Warleader’s Helix, the spell doesn’t resolve. You don’t gain life.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
See more decks