Steel Hellkite MTG Card


Steel Hellkite excels in wiping out multiple permanents, granting players a commanding board presence. Its activation cost is versatile, allowing for strategic use of mana to dictate battlefield control. Despite its power, the Hellkite requires significant mana, presenting a trade-off in resource allocation.
Card setsReleased in 12 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying : Steel Hellkite gets +1/+0 until end of turn. : Destroy each nonland permanent with converted mana cost X whose controller was dealt combat damage by Steel Hellkite this turn. Activate this ability only once each turn.


Cards like Steel Hellkite

Steel Hellkite stands as a mighty juggernaut among artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to deal damage and then pay X to destroy each nonland permanent with converted mana cost X whose controller was dealt combat damage by Steel Hellkite this turn, it offers a sweeping mechanism that rivals cards like Duplicant. While Duplicant excels at removing single threats by exiling them, it doesn’t have the sweeping range of Hellkite.

Furthermore, comparing it to another dragon, Balefire Dragon brings a similar board impact with its ability to deal damage to every creature a player controls if it deals combat damage to that player. Still, Steel Hellkite shines with its control over what gets destroyed based on the mana you spend. Then there’s the likes of Ugin, the Spirit Dragon, whose ultimate also delivers a wipeout effect. However, Steel Hellkite provides a more immediate and versatile destruction tool due to it being creature-based and requiring no loyalty counters.

Judging Steel Hellkite against its contemporaries, it becomes apparent that its value lies in its flexible and powerful removal capabilities, which makes it a formidable card in the Magic: The Gathering universe. The flying juggernaut not only towers over the battlefield but also offers strategic depth to players with its unique destruction abilities.

Duplicant - MTG Card versions
Balefire Dragon - MTG Card versions
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon - MTG Card versions
Duplicant - MTG Card versions
Balefire Dragon - MTG Card versions
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon - MTG Card versions

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

Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
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Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Celestial Sword - MTG Card versions
Voodoo Doll - MTG Card versions
Tetravus - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Mirror Golem - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Celestial Sword - MTG Card versions
Voodoo Doll - MTG Card versions
Tetravus - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Mirror Golem - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Steel Hellkite. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Colorless ShopsColorless Shops VintageOther ShopsHSI7
Rogue DecklistsRogue Decklists Legacy90 / The 90th Legacy at Home

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Steel Hellkite offers an exceptional ability to sweep away your opponents’ permanents, making it a potential powerhouse in accruing card advantage. Every successful attack followed by paying {X} mana allows you to remove multiple cards from the opponent’s board, thus curbing their resources while you maintain or enhance your own.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly serving as a resource accelerator, the Steel Hellkite can indirectly contribute to this by clearing a path for your other attackers or by managing the opponent’s resources. Its {0} activation cost for its ability is particularly effective as it allows you to utilize whatever mana you have available to exert control over the board.

Instant Speed: While the Steel Hellkite itself isn’t an instant-speed play, it possesses a dynamic activated ability that can be utilized at any time you could play an instant. This gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn, wiping out freshly cast tokens or problematic permanents before they can become a threat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Steel Hellkite doesn’t directly ask players to discard cards, its activation cost requires a substantial mana investment. This can be akin to a discard effect as it forces players to deplete resources that could otherwise be used for playing other cards or responses.

Specific Mana Cost: The Steel Hellkite demands a consistent source of colorless mana to execute its ability. Given its specific need for colorless mana, inclusion in multi-color decks can be somewhat restrictive due to their often limited production of colorless mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring six mana to summon, the Steel Hellkite can be challenging to deploy in the early game. This high casting cost means that it competes with other game-ending threats that may offer immediate impact without the need for additional mana investment.


Reasons to Include Steel Hellkite in Your Collection

Versatility: Steel Hellkite is a powerful addition to numerous deck archetypes given its ability to wipe out an opponent’s permanents regardless of their card type, simply by dealing damage. Its adaptability to any situation makes it a juggernaut in commander and other formats.

Combo Potential: Commanders that scale with artifact synergy or dragon tribal themes can exploit Steel Hellkite’s destructive abilities. Its damage-triggered effect can be the linchpin in turning the tide of a game when combined with ways to multiply its damage or utilize its wipe ability strategically.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta full of token strategies or decks that rely on a vast array of permanents, Steel Hellkite acts as an equalizer. Its ubiquitous relevance makes it a force to be considered when building your collection for competitive play.


How to beat

Steel Hellkite’s presence in Magic: The Gathering can significantly influence the board, demanding attention from its opponents. This formidable artifact dragon boasts the ability to wipe out an opponent’s permanents, specifically those with a cost equal to the amount of mana you pump into its ability. One effective strategy against this flying behemoth involves utilizing instant-speed removal when the Hellkite attempts to activate its ability. Cards like Path to Exile or Heartless Act can efficiently dispatch Steel Hellkite before it unleashes destruction.

Another key tactic is to never underestimate the power of counter spells. Denying the dragon’s cast in the first place by employing counters such as Counterspell or Negate can save you from ever having to deal with its board-clearing might. Alternatively, controlling the battlefield with numerous low-cost creatures can mitigate the impact of its second ability, as over-committing mana to the Hellkite’s removal power could lead to your opponent’s mana shortage, leaving them vulnerable elsewhere.

In summary, facing down a Steel Hellkite demands preparedness and precise timing. By keeping removal or counters in hand and strategically deploying creatures, you can neutralize this threat and maintain control over the game’s flow.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Steel Hellkite is a formidable force in Magic: The Gathering, offering vast potential to sway the battlefield in your favor. Harnessing this artifact dragon’s capacity for clearing opponents’ boards can strategically dismantle their defenses, setting you up for victory. If you’re eager to incorporate the Steel Hellkite into your deck-building endeavors or improve your current game plan, we’re here to guide you. Delve into advanced strategies, discover synergies, and optimize your deck’s performance with this commanding card. Embark on a deeper exploration with us, and fortify your collection to dominate the MTG arena.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steel Hellkite MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Steel Hellkite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Steel Hellkite Magic the Gathering card was released in 12 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 378592003NormalBlackJaime Jones
22010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 2052003NormalBlackJames Paick
32014-11-07Commander 2014C14 2732015NormalBlackJames Paick
42017-08-25Commander 2017C17 2252015NormalBlackJames Paick
52018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 2222015NormalBlackJames Paick
62018-08-09Commander 2018C18 2242015NormalBlackJames Paick
72021-04-23Commander 2021C21 2662015NormalBlackJaime Jones
82022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 8742015NormalBlackJaime Jones
92022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1631997NormalBlackJaime Jones
102023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 9752015NormalBlackJames Paick
112024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 2392015NormalBlackJames Paick
122024-02-09Year of the Dragon 2024PL24 42015NormalBlackWalleystation

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steel Hellkite has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-01-01 If Steel Hellkite's third ability is activated with X equal to 0, it will destroy each nonland permanent with mana value 0 the appropriate players control.
2011-01-01 If a nonland permanent has no mana symbols in its upper right corner (because it's a token that's not copying of something else, for example), its mana value is 0.
2011-01-01 If a permanent is copying something else, its mana value is the mana value of whatever it's copying.
2011-01-01 If the mana cost of a permanent includes , X is considered to be 0.
2011-01-01 In all cases, ignore any alternative costs or additional costs (such as kicker) paid when the permanent was cast.
2011-01-01 It doesn't matter who controlled those permanents at the time Steel Hellkite dealt combat damage, or if those permanents were even on the battlefield at that time.
2011-01-01 Steel Hellkite's last ability destroys only nonland permanents whose mana value is exactly equal to X, and only those controlled by players who have been dealt combat damage by Steel Hellkite this turn.
2011-01-01 The mana value of a permanent is determined solely by the mana symbols printed in its upper right corner, unless it's copying something else (see below). The mana value is the total amount of mana in that cost, regardless of color. For example, a card with mana cost has mana value 5.
2011-01-01 You may activate the last ability even if Steel Hellkite hasn't dealt combat damage to any players that turn. If you do, the ability won't do anything.