Demonic Taskmaster MTG Card


Demonic Taskmaster offers card advantage and aggressive battlefield pressure, excelling in creature sacrifice strategies. Despite its power, the mandatory sacrifice and specific mana needs may limit its fit in varied deck types. This card is versatile, with potential in fast-paced aggressive decks and meta where sacrifice themes thrive.
Demonic Taskmaster - Avacyn Restored
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Demon
Abilities Flying
Released2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set nameAvacyn Restored
Set codeAVR
Power 4
Toughness 3
Number95
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChris Rahn

Text of card

Flying At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a creature other than Demonic Taskmaster.

Subservience to greater power is the only law in the pit.


Cards like Demonic Taskmaster

Demonic Taskmaster is a unique creature within the vast menagerie of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in terms of card functionality are the likes of Blood-soaked Champion and Heir of Falkenrath. Both creatures offer powerful effects at a budget-friendly mana cost, much like the Taskmaster. Blood-soaked Champion allows for repeated reanimation, promoting an aggressive playstyle that the Demonic Taskmaster also encourages with its requirement that you sacrifice other creatures.

Heir of Falkenrath stands out with its ability to transform into a more menacing creature, which is somewhat reminiscent of the Taskmaster’s increase in power each turn. While the Taskmaster’s upkeep cost is a hefty sacrifice, Heir of Falkenrath’s discard requirement can be a boon by enabling graveyard strategies. Nonetheless, the Taskmaster’s consistent pressure and formidable presence on the battlefield can be a game-changer, especially when you successfully maneuver around its demanding sacrifice mechanic.

Thus, Demonic Taskmaster presents itself as a formidable option for players looking to harness the power of sacrifice-driven decks. Its aggressive stature and the strategic depth it brings to the table make it a card worth considering in comparison to other sacrificial creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Demonic Taskmaster by color, type and mana cost

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Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Demonic Taskmaster excels in creating card advantage through its potent ability to dominate the battlefield. Embodying the sheer force of demonic entities, this creature swiftly becomes the focal point, overshadowing your opponent’s lesser minions and demanding immediate answers.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting your mana pool, deploying Demonic Taskmaster early in the game accelerates your board presence significantly. With it on your side of the field, the pressure on your opponent’s resources mounts, as they’re forced to deal with this formidable threat swiftly.

Instant Speed: Although Demonic Taskmaster operates at sorcery speed, its presence has an instant impact on the game’s dynamic. Each turn, it requires sacrifices, plotting out your game strategy at a rapid pace and influencing the decisions of both players. This constant pressure can lead to game-changing advantages when navigated skillfully.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Demonic Taskmaster comes with the downside of needing to sacrifice other creatures you control during your upkeep. If your battlefield is scant on creatures, this requirement can lead to [THEME]’s effectiveness being thwarted, particularly in decks that need to maintain a strong creature presence.

Specific Mana Cost: The [THEME] requires a dedicated black mana to be cast. This can be restrictive for multicolored decks where having the specific black mana at the right time could be challenging, thus potentially limiting the deck options that the card can efficiently function within.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a 4/3 flying creature can indeed be potent, the three mana cost for Demonic Taskmaster may influence its playability. Considering alternative creatures in the same mana range that either come without such a harsh upkeep cost or provide additional benefits, [THEME]’s cost-effectiveness is brought into question, especially in competitive play where mana efficiency is paramount.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Demonic Taskmaster offers a strong presence on the battlefield as a 4/3 flier, providing an aggressive edge to both mono-black and multicolored decks focused on aerial dominance and sacrifice themes.

Combo Potential: This creature synergizes well with deck strategies that capitalize on sacrificing creatures, either for benefitting from death-triggered abilities or powering up sacrifice-matters cards.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where faster, aggressive decks are the norm, Demonic Taskmaster can serve as a formidable threat, forcing opponents to deal with it quickly or face significant aerial damage each turn.


How to Beat Demonic Taskmaster

Confronting the formidable Demonic Taskmaster card in Magic: The Gathering requires a clear strategy. This card presents a unique challenge due to its ability to significantly bolster your forces with a powerful 4/3 flyer for a mere three mana investment. However, this comes with a cost, as it necessitates the sacrifice of another creature during your upkeep, which can quickly dwindle your board presence if unmanaged.

Savvy players often employ removal spells that can target the Demonic Taskmaster directly, minimizing the potential advantage it offers your opponent. Utilizing enchantments that hinder its abilities or tapping effects that negate its combat prowess are also effective methods. It is crucial to address this threat quickly, as a continuous attack unchallenged could lead to your swift defeat.

Maintaining creature control on the board and retaining your removal resources can prepare you for this encounter, ensuring that the Demonic Taskmaster’s downside for your opponent becomes a decisive point in your favor. Outmaneuvering this card is all about timing and resource management, which can pivot the game to a victorious outcome for you.


BurnMana Recommendations

Demonic Taskmaster is a card that can turn the tides of battle in MTG, demanding a calculated approach to deck building and play strategy. Its ability to dominate the skies as a 4/3 flyer makes it a formidable asset, especially in decks that leverage the sacrifice mechanic. However, its upkeep cost requires a well-stocked battlefield and thoughtful play to avoid being a double-edged sword. If you’re intrigued by the challenge and potential of incorporating Demonic Taskmaster into your arsenal, we encourage you to dive deeper. Learn more about maximizing this card’s strengths in your favor and crafting a deck that fearlessly welcomes the essence of sacrifice. Join us as we explore innovative strategies and tips to make Demonic Taskmaster a powerhouse in your MTG matches.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Demonic Taskmaster MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Demonic Taskmaster and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Demonic Taskmaster has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-05-01 If Demonic Taskmaster leaves the battlefield after its ability triggers but before it resolves, you’ll still have to sacrifice a creature. Notably, if you control two Demonic Taskmasters and no other creatures, each one will force you to sacrifice the other.
2012-05-01 If you control no other creatures, you won’t sacrifice anything.