Carnival Hellsteed MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 147★
2012-10-05 - Number 147
2019-02-15 - Number 62
2002-06-24 - Number 46885
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Nightmare Horse |
| Abilities | First strike,Haste,Unleash |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Carnival Hellsteed bolsters strategic play, synergizing well with aggressive deck styles.
- Demands color commitment to black and red, potentially limiting deck versatility.
- A late-game entry with high cost, it competes with lower-cost creatures offering similar impact.
Text of card
First strike, haste Unleash (You may have this creature enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. It can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Its favorite treats are candied hands and sweet hearts.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Carnival Hellsteed contributes to strategic board presence, allowing players to leverage its unique abilities in synergy with other cards.
Resource Acceleration: While it does not directly provide mana acceleration, its First Strike and Unleash abilities can complement aggressive decks focused on rapid resource utilization, allowing for swift and impactful plays.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Carnival Hellsteed can be summoned at the end of your opponent’s turn if you have the means to flash it into play. This tactic preserves mana for responses during your opponent’s turn while still expanding your battlefield position when the time is right.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Carnival Hellsteed’s unleash mechanic can be potent, but it’s not without trade-offs. Opting to give it +1/+1 and haste means it can’t block, which could leave you vulnerable on the defensive end. This can significantly impact your board control, especially in the late game when every blocker counts.
Specific Mana Cost: With its black and red mana requirements, Carnival Hellsteed demands a strict commitment to its color pair. This can potentially restrict it to Rakdos decks exclusively, reducing its versatility across a broad range of deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Charging in with a cost of six mana, Carnival Hellsteed enters the battlefield later than many would prefer. Considering its abilities, there are other creatures in the MTG universe that come into play sooner or offer more impactful effects for a similar cost, which can lead to it being overlooked in deck building.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Carnival Hellsteed adds strength to decks that desire a swift and impactful board presence. Its haste ability ensures it can apply pressure instantly, suitable for aggressive strategies aiming to outpace opponents.
Combo Potential: Equipped with unleashed, Carnival Hellsteed can become a powerful component of sacrifice and recursion strategies, enabling combos that capitalize on sending a high-power creature to the battlefield or the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: In a dynamic playing environment where combat plays a significant role, this card’s swift strike capability proves extremely valuable, allowing it to take down threats efficiently while its formidable presence deters adversaries from attacking.
How to Beat Carnival Hellsteed
Carnival Hellsteed is an eye-catching creature that charges into the battlefield with the combination of first strike and haste. These abilities allow the Hellsteed to both avoid damage while attacking and be a surprise threat right out of the gate. This Rakdos guild card is a formidable force, but there are strategies to counter it effectively.
One method to overcome Carnival Hellsteed is through removal spells that can bypass its first strike. Cards like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can dispatch the Hellsteed before it has a chance to make an impact. Another tactful play involves countering it as it’s cast. Spells like Negate or Essence Scatter are excellent for stopping the Hellsteed in its tracks. Likewise, setting up a solid defense with creatures boasting high toughness can discourage attacks, rendering its haste less threatening. Utilizing enchantments such as Pacifism also neutralizes its offensive capabilities, making it a non-issue.
Being prepared for what Carnival Hellsteed brings to the table is crucial. A good mix of removal, counterspells, and defensive setups can ensure that the Hellsteed’s parade doesn’t trample your chance at victory.
Cards like Carnival Hellsteed
In the dynamic world of Magic: The Gathering, the Carnival Hellsteed stands out as a force to be reckoned with, especially within the Rakdos guild. This card invites comparisons with other creatures such as Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis. Both have similar power levels, but the Carnival Hellsteed comes with the unique advantage of haste and unleash – enabling it to attack faster and potentially with more power than Nefarox.
Another interesting comparison is with the Rix Maadi Guildmage. While the Guildmage doesn’t have the brute strength of the Hellsteed, it does offer a more tactical advantage with capabilities that can hinder opponents through life manipulation. However, it doesn’t quite provide the immediate board presence and pressure that the Hellsteed’s 5/4 stat line represents.
Comparatively, the Carnival Hellsteed finds its niche with players looking for a potent finisher in a Rakdos deck. Its swift and augmented attacks can outpace cards like Lava Hounds, which although have haste, lack the flexibility of the unleash mechanic. The Hellsteed, therefore, presents itself as a formidable option for those looking to race against their opponents with aggressive strategies.
Cards similar to Carnival Hellsteed by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Carnival Hellsteed MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Return to Ravnica Promos, 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 Carnival Hellsteed 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
Printings
The Carnival Hellsteed Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 46885 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Min Yum | ||
| 2 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica Promos | PRTR | 147★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Min Yum | |
| 3 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 147 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chase Stone | |
| 4 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chase Stone |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Carnival Hellsteed has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Carnival Hellsteed card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | A creature with unleash can’t block if it has any +1/+1 counter on it, not just one put on it by the unleash ability. |
| 2013-04-15 | Putting a +1/+1 counter on a creature with unleash that’s already blocking won’t remove it from combat. It will continue to block. |
| 2013-04-15 | The unleash ability applies no matter where the creature is entering the battlefield from. |
| 2013-04-15 | You make the choice to have the creature with unleash enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter or not as it’s entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late for a player to respond to the creature spell by trying to counter it, for example. |
