Demons in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) have long captivated players with their imposing presence, powerful abilities, and dark allure. These formidable creatures, predominantly aligned with black mana, are known for their game-changing effects and ability to turn the tide of battle. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 10 best demons in MTG, delve into their strengths, and provide insights on how to use them effectively in your decks.
The Role of Demons in MTG
Before we dive into our list, let’s briefly examine what makes demons such a unique and powerful creature type in MTG:
- High Power and Toughness: Demons typically boast impressive stats, making them formidable threats on the battlefield. In fact, some demons are among the biggest creatures in MTG, rivaling even the mightiest dragons and eldrazi.
- Flying: Most demons have the flying ability, allowing them to soar over ground-based defenses.
- Powerful Abilities: Demons often come with game-altering effects that can drastically swing the game in your favor.
- Flavor and Lore: In MTG’s multiverse, demons embody ambition, power, and the darker aspects of magic, adding rich thematic elements to the game.
- Color Identity: While primarily associated with black mana, some demons venture into red or even blue, offering diverse strategic options. This makes them interesting choices for multicolor decks, like those led by Izzet commanders.
Now, let’s countdown the 10 best demons that have left their mark on MTG:
10. Master of Cruelties
This demon may have relatively low power and toughness (1/4), but its ability is devastating. When Master of Cruelties attacks alone and isn’t blocked, it reduces the defending player’s life total to 1. Combined with its first strike and deathtouch abilities, it’s a threat that demands an immediate answer.
9. Reiver Demon
Reiver Demon’s enters-the-battlefield effect can completely reshape the game state. When cast from your hand, it destroys all nonartifact, nonblack creatures. This board wipe effect attached to a 6/6 flying body makes Reiver Demon a powerful top-end threat in many black decks.
8. Harvester of Souls
While not as flashy as some other demons, Harvester of Souls provides incredible value over time. Its deathtouch makes it a potent defender, and its ability to draw a card whenever a nontoken creature dies fuels your hand with additional resources. In creature-heavy metas, Harvester of Souls can draw you an overwhelming number of cards.
7. Demonlord Belzenlok
This legendary demon offers a unique mix of card advantage and potential risk. When Demonlord Belzenlok enters the battlefield, it allows you to exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card, then put that card into your hand. This ability can provide significant card advantage, especially in decks built to maximize its potential.
6. Demon of Dark Schemes
A versatile demon that excels against token strategies, Demon of Dark Schemes can clear the board of small creatures upon entering the battlefield. Its energy-generating ability and power to reanimate creatures make it a Swiss Army knife of a card, useful in various situations.
5. Archfiend of Despair
This powerhouse prevents opponents from gaining life and doubles the life they lose each turn. In decks focused on dealing consistent damage, Archfiend of Despair can quickly close out games. Its hefty 6/6 flying body also presents a significant clock on its own.
4. Rakdos, the Showstopper
A chaotic and powerful demon, Rakdos brings an element of chance to the battlefield. When it enters, you flip a coin for each creature that isn’t a Demon, Devil, or Imp. Heads? That creature is destroyed. This ability can potentially clear the board, leaving Rakdos as the dominant force. Its 6/6 flying, trample body is nothing to scoff at either.
3. Vilis, Broker of Blood
Vilis turns life loss into card advantage, drawing you cards equal to the life you lose. This ability synergizes incredibly well with many black strategies that use life as a resource. Additionally, Vilis can remove threats by giving them -1/-1 until end of turn, providing both card advantage and board control.
2. Razaketh, the Foulblooded
Razaketh’s ability to tutor for any card in your deck at the cost of sacrificing a creature and 2 life is incredibly powerful. In decks that can generate expendable creatures or mitigate life loss, Razaketh provides unparalleled consistency, allowing you to find exactly the card you need in any situation.
1. Griselbrand
Often considered the most powerful demon in MTG, Griselbrand’s ability to draw seven cards for 7 life is unprecedented. With lifelink to offset the life payment and a respectable 7/7 flying body, Griselbrand can single-handedly take over games. It’s so powerful that it’s banned in several formats, including Commander.
Honorable Mentions
While they didn’t make our top 10, these demons are still formidable in their own right:
- Doom Whisperer: Surveil 2 for 2 life, repeatable as often as you can pay for it.
- Overseer of the Damned: Destroys a creature on entry and creates Zombies when opponents’ creatures die.
- Shadowborn Demon: Cheaper to cast than many demons, with a powerful destruction effect.
Building a Demon Tribal Deck
If you’re inspired to build a deck around these infernal powerhouses, here are some tips:
- Mana Acceleration: Demons are often expensive to cast. Include mana rocks or rituals to get them out faster. Consider including some of the best lands in MTG to ensure a smooth mana base.
- Reanimation: Cheat big demons into play using cards like Reanimate or Animate Dead.
- Life Gain: Offset the life payments many demons require with cards like Gray Merchant of Asphodel.
- Protection: Use cards like Lightning Greaves to keep your expensive demons safe.
- Synergy Cards: Cards like Shadowborn Apostle can tutor for demons while providing early game plays.
Popular commanders for demon tribal decks include:
- Rakdos, the Showstopper: Provides a powerful effect and fits the demon theme perfectly.
- Kaalia of the Vast: Can cheat demons (and angels and dragons) into play for free. This commander allows you to combine demons with some of the best angels in MTG for a powerful celestial and infernal mix.
- Vilis, Broker of Blood: Provides card advantage and removal in the command zone.
For those who prefer a different color identity, consider building a mono-green commander deck and using cards like Natural Order to cheat out powerful creatures, including some colorless demons.
Demons in Different MTG Formats
The effectiveness of demons can vary across formats:
- Standard: Demons come and go in Standard, depending on recent sets. They’re often top-end finishers in black-based midrange or control decks. Keep an eye on demons in the latest MTG core set for potential Standard powerhouses.
- Modern: While less common, some demons like Griselbrand see play in reanimator strategies.
- Commander: This is where demons truly shine. The multiplayer nature and longer games of Commander allow these expensive, powerful creatures to dominate.
- Legacy/Vintage: Griselbrand is a powerhouse in reanimator strategies in these eternal formats.
The Evolution of Demons in MTG
Demons have been a part of MTG since its inception, with Lord of the Pit appearing in the game’s first set, Alpha. Over time, demon design has evolved:
- Early demons often had significant drawbacks to balance their power.
- Modern demons tend to have more immediate impact on the game state.
- Recent designs have explored new mechanical space, like Rakdos, the Showstopper’s coin-flipping ability.
Interestingly, some demons have abilities that mimic other powerful effects in the game. For instance, some demons have abilities similar to clone cards in MTG, allowing them to copy other creatures on the battlefield.
Tips for Playing Demons Effectively
- Timing is Key: Due to their high mana cost, knowing when to deploy your demons is crucial.
- Life Management: Many demons require life payments. Always be aware of your life total.
- Embrace the Risk: Demons often involve an element of risk or sacrifice. Build your strategy around mitigating or capitalizing on these aspects.
- Protect Your Investment: Given their high mana cost, losing a demon to removal can be devastating. Include protection or recursion in your deck.
- Planeswalker Synergy: Consider pairing your demons with some of the best planeswalkers in MTG for additional support and synergy.
Conclusion
Demons in Magic: The Gathering offer a potent mix of power, strategy, and flavor. From the card-drawing prowess of Griselbrand to the chaotic coin flips of Rakdos, the Showstopper, these infernal beings provide a wealth of options for players who aren’t afraid to dabble in the dark arts. Whether you’re looking to build a demon tribal deck or just want to include a few of these powerhouses in your strategy, the demons on this list are sure to make an impact.
Remember, the best demon for your deck will depend on your strategy, format, and playstyle. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different demons to find the perfect fit for your infernal machinations!
FAQ
Q: Are demons only black in MTG? A: While predominantly black, some demons incorporate other colors, particularly red. There are even a few blue demons!
Q: Why is Griselbrand banned in Commander? A: Griselbrand’s ability to draw 7 cards for 7 life is considered too powerful in a format with 40 starting life, potentially allowing players to draw their entire deck.
Q: Are there any good budget demons for Commander? A: Yes! Cards like Shadowborn Demon, Overseer of the Damned, and Archfiend of Depravity can be powerful additions to a demon deck without breaking the bank.
Q: How do I deal with the high mana costs of demons? A: Mana acceleration (like Dark Ritual or Cabal Coffers), reanimation spells, and cards that cheat creatures into play (like Kaalia of the Vast) can all help get demons onto the battlefield faster.
Q: Are there any good demon planeswalkers? A: While not technically a demon card, Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath is a planeswalker that creates demon tokens and fits well in demon-themed decks.
