Dictate of Heliod MTG Card


Boosts each creature, markedly improving their threat level and maximizing value from your deck’s creature base. Flash ability allows for surprise plays, transforming combat dynamics and disrupting opponent strategies effectively. Versatile in different decks, enhancing battlefield presence and offering substantial advantages in creature-focused metas.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Abilities Flash

Text of card

Flash Creatures you control get +2/+2.

"In our war Heliod gave mortals some favor, yet other times he withheld aid. Are we still no more than game pieces to him?" —Polyxene the Doubter


Cards like Dictate of Heliod

Dictate of Heliod is an intriguing enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that provides a substantial boost to your creatures’ power. Its closest relatives in terms of function are other enchantments that permanently increase creature stats. Honor of the Pure is often compared as it boosts white creatures’ power, though only by +1/+1, and does not have the versatility of Dictate of Heliod’s across-the-board bonus.

Glorious Anthem stands out in the buffing enchantments category, offering a constant +1/+1 increase to all your creatures, akin to Honor of the Pure but without the color restriction. However, what sets Dictate of Heliod apart is the notable +2/+2 boost, making it highly impactful in turning the tide of the game. Spear of Heliod not only gives a +1/+1 bonus but also provides a deterrent against opposing creatures attacking you, though it lacks the potent power-up provided by Dictate of Heliod.

Considering the strategic depth these cards bring to the battlefield, Dictate of Heliod holds a unique position with its considerable creature enhancement and ‘flash’ ability, allowing for surprise plays and dramatic shifts in control during a match.

Honor of the Pure - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Spear of Heliod - MTG Card versions
Honor of the Pure - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Spear of Heliod - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dictate of Heliod by color, type and mana cost

Safeguard - MTG Card versions
Angelic Chorus - MTG Card versions
Noble Stand - MTG Card versions
Righteous Cause - MTG Card versions
Noble Purpose - MTG Card versions
Lucent Liminid - MTG Card versions
Boon Reflection - MTG Card versions
Mammoth Umbra - MTG Card versions
Commander's Authority - MTG Card versions
Cathars' Crusade - MTG Card versions
Sigil of the Empty Throne - MTG Card versions
Debtor's Pulpit - MTG Card versions
Celestial Archon - MTG Card versions
Mystic Barrier - MTG Card versions
Skybind - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Near-Death Experience - MTG Card versions
Consulate Crackdown - MTG Card versions
Call for Unity - MTG Card versions
Safeguard - MTG Card versions
Angelic Chorus - MTG Card versions
Noble Stand - MTG Card versions
Righteous Cause - MTG Card versions
Noble Purpose - MTG Card versions
Lucent Liminid - MTG Card versions
Boon Reflection - MTG Card versions
Mammoth Umbra - MTG Card versions
Commander's Authority - MTG Card versions
Cathars' Crusade - MTG Card versions
Sigil of the Empty Throne - MTG Card versions
Debtor's Pulpit - MTG Card versions
Celestial Archon - MTG Card versions
Mystic Barrier - MTG Card versions
Skybind - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Near-Death Experience - MTG Card versions
Consulate Crackdown - MTG Card versions
Call for Unity - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Increases the potency of each creature you control, effectively turning each one into a greater threat and allowing you to get more value out of the creatures you’ve already played. By bolstering your entire field with the +1/+1 boosts, you’re maximizing the impact of every creature card drawn and played thereafter.

Resource Acceleration: Although Dictate of Heliod doesn’t directly produce mana or additional lands, by enhancing your creatures’ power and toughness, it accelerates the rate at which you can apply pressure on your opponents and potentially shorten the length of the match. This form of indirect resource acceleration can be decisive in securing victory.

Instant Speed: Dictate of Heliod can be cast at instant speed thanks to its flash ability. This enables surprise enhancements during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, not only conserving your mana for other plays but also potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategies with sudden and unexpected power boosts to your field.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: The Dictate of Heliod requires a commitment to white mana, needing double white within its five total mana cost to be played. This can be restrictive for multi-color decks vying for mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, it competes with other impactful spells and creatures in the five-mana slot which can sometimes offer immediate board presence or effects.

Discard Requirement: While Dictate of Heliod doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, in decks that run it, the card can represent a missed opportunity to hold up mana for other spells or play a different threat altogether.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dictate of Heliod is a flexible enchantment that boosts creatures’ power, a boon for decks emphasizing combat. It slots into a variety of white strategies from token swarms to control archetypes, always enhancing your battlefield presence.

Combo Potential: Thanks to its Flash ability, Dictate of Heliod pairs well with cards that benefit from sudden strength increases, setting the stage for unexpected tactical plays and combo victories out of nowhere.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with creature-centric combat, Dictate of Heliod shines, offering a permanent anthemic effect which can tilt the scales in your favor, outclassing opponents’ creatures and turning the tides during critical turns.


How to Beat

Dictate of Heliod is a powerful enchantment in MTG that can sway the battlefield by giving your creatures a significant +2/+2 boost. While this can be intimidating for any opponent, overcoming this card is about strategy and timing. Being an enchantment, Dictate of Heliod is vulnerable to any form of enchantment removal such as Disenchant or Naturalize, making the timing of such spells key in dismantling your opponent’s advantage. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field, negating the Dictate of Heliod’s effect entirely.

Control decks have the upper hand, capable of countering the Dictate of Heliod when it’s cast, while aggressive decks might opt to race against it, overpowering the opponent before the enchantment’s impact is fully felt. In the end, the path to victory involves careful resource management and a deep understanding of when to disrupt your opponent’s game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

In the tactical realm of MTG, every card serves as a key to unlocking your path to victory, and Dictate of Heliod stands as a beacon for strategists and battlers alike. As you’ve seen, maximizing its potential includes timing its deployment for maximum impact, integrating it in creature-heavy decks, and being cognizant of both its strengths and limitations. Whether amplifying your offensive might or crafting unexpected defenses, the Dictate of Heliod can be a game-changer. We encourage you to continue honing your deck-building skills, leveraging the power of such spells, and charting your course to domination. Join the BurnMana community to learn more and refine your MTG prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dictate of Heliod MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx and Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora, 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 Dictate of Heliod and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dictate of Heliod Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2014-05-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Terese Nielsen.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-05-02Journey into NyxJOU 82003NormalBlackTerese Nielsen
22015-02-27Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. KioraDDO 82015NormalBlackTerese Nielsen
32015-11-13Commander 2015C15 682015NormalBlackTerese Nielsen
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 762015NormalBlackTerese Nielsen
52020-09-26The ListPLST DDO-82015NormalBlackTerese Nielsen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dictate of Heliod has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.