Helvault — ruling 1

Helvault’s first and third abilities are linked. Similarly, Helvault’s second and third abilities are linked. Only cards exiled as a result of Helvault’s first or second abilities will be returned to the battlefield by its third ability.

Helvault : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Helvault is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

, : Exile target creature you control. , : Exile target creature you don't control. When Helvault is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, return all cards exiled with it to the battlefield under their owners' control.

Complete guide

Helvault is a legendary artifact from the dark world of Innistrad that acts as a magical prison for the living. Whether you are shielding your own allies or locking away your enemies, this silver monolith ensures that nothing truly stays gone forever. Once the vault is shattered, every soul trapped within is released back to the battlefield.

A Dual-Purpose Prison

Helvault features two distinct activated abilities that exile creatures. For one mana and a tap, you can exile a creature you control, often to save it from a board wipe or removal spell. For seven mana and a tap, you can forcibly exile an opponent's creature. These abilities are specifically linked to the third ability, meaning the card remembers exactly which creatures it has 'consumed' over the course of the game.

The Release Mechanic

The true power of Helvault lies in its triggered ability. When Helvault is moved from the battlefield to the graveyard, it triggers a mass-return effect. Every card currently exiled by its first two abilities returns to the battlefield under its owner's control. It is important to note that this only happens if Helvault is put into a graveyard; if it is exiled or returned to your hand, the trapped creatures remain in exile indefinitely.

Strategic Considerations

Timing is everything with Helvault. Because it requires seven mana to exile an opponent's threat, you often need to prioritize your mana spend. Players frequently forget that the creatures return under their *owner's* control, not the controller of Helvault. This means if you exile an opponent's creature, they will get it back as soon as your Helvault is destroyed.

Interaction examples

Protecting the VIP

Swiftfoot Boots

If your opponent targets your creature with a destruction spell, you can respond by activating Helvault to exile your own creature. Later, if you need that creature back to equip Swiftfoot Boots for a haste attack, you can destroy your own Helvault. The creature returns to the battlefield as a new object, ready to be equipped.

Fueling the Vault

Arcane Signet

To utilize Helvault's expensive second ability, you need a significant amount of mana. Using Arcane Signet helps you reach the seven-mana threshold faster. Once you have the mana, you can tap Helvault to exile a problematic creature an opponent controls, keeping it off the board until Helvault is put into a graveyard.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Helvault

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1January 22, 2011· Wizards of the Coast
Helvault’s first and third abilities are linked. Similarly, Helvault’s second and third abilities are linked. Only cards exiled as a result of Helvault’s first or second abilities will be returned to the battlefield by its third ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.