Heliod's Punishment

Description

Heliod's Punishment, designated as card THB-21 in the 2024 The List series, is a notable Magic: The Gathering trading card game card. This enchantment functions as an Aura, requiring a creature to be enchanted to remain in play. The card’s design centers around a unique mechanical interaction involving task counters, which dictate its behavior and lifespan on the battlefield. When played, this Aura enters the battlefield with four task counters placed on it. These counters are integral to the card's strategy, as they limit the movement capabilities of the enchanted creature. The target creature is unable to attack or block, significantly altering its role in combat. Furthermore, the creature loses all of its existing abilities, rendering it vulnerable and dependent on the Aura's specific effects. The card offers a strategic exit mechanism through its activated ability. By tapping the enchanted creature, the player can remove a single task counter from Heliod's Punishment. This action allows for a gradual reduction of the counters. Once the final task counter is removed, the Aura is destroyed. This mechanic creates a dynamic play pattern where the duration of the effect is directly tied to the player's decisions regarding counter management. Art for this release is provided by Aleksi Briclot, whose work contributes to the visual identity of The List subset. Collectors interested in the broader Magic: The Gathering ecosystem often seek out cards from The List due to their unique printing context. The combination of Aleksi Briclot’s artistry and the card’s specific mechanical design makes Heliod's Punishment a compelling item for those building a comprehensive collection of modern Magic: The Gathering releases.