Devouring Light MTG Card


Devouring Light allows exiling creatures, eliminating graveyard recursion strategies effectively. Instant speed and convoke mechanic provide flexible and efficient resource use. Restrictive mana requirements and convoke can limit deck-building options and gameplay.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Convoke

Text of card

Convoke (Each creature you tap while playing this spell reduces its cost by or by one mana of that creature's color.) Remove target attacking or blocking creature from the game.

Into the light the good are welcomed, and with the light the evil are banished.


Cards like Devouring Light

Devouring Light offers players a unique tactical advantage in Magic: The Gathering by allowing them to exile target attacking or blocking creature. This stands in contrast to other removal spells like Oblivion Ring, which temporarily removes any permanent until the ring leaves the battlefield. Devouring Light’s focus on combatants provides a strategic edge during battles.

Likewise, the spell Condemn also interacts with attacking creatures but rather than exile, it tucks the creature to the bottom of its owner’s library and grants them life equal to its power. While this is an efficient way to deal with a single menace, it could unintentionally benefit your opponent’s life total. Swords to Plowshares is another classic spell that exiles creatures, but it compensates the creature’s controller with life points equivalent to its power, introducing a potential downside for the caster.

When contemplating removal options in your Magic: The Gathering deck, Devouring Light’s exile effect, paired with its convoke ability – letting you tap creatures to help cast the spell – stands out. Such a feature can be decisive, particularly if you’re aiming for a tactic that retains battlefield presence while managing threats.

Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Condemn - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Condemn - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Devouring Light by color, type and mana cost

Reverse Damage - MTG Card versions
Army of Allah - MTG Card versions
Holy Light - MTG Card versions
Morale - MTG Card versions
Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
Piety - MTG Card versions
Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Abolish - MTG Card versions
Restrain - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Strands - MTG Card versions
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Protection - MTG Card versions
Oblation - MTG Card versions
Wing Shards - MTG Card versions
Reverse Damage - MTG Card versions
Army of Allah - MTG Card versions
Holy Light - MTG Card versions
Morale - MTG Card versions
Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
Piety - MTG Card versions
Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Abolish - MTG Card versions
Restrain - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Strands - MTG Card versions
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Protection - MTG Card versions
Oblation - MTG Card versions
Wing Shards - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Devouring Light offers a sort of card advantage by efficiently dealing with threats. By exiling a creature, you’re effectively removing that card from the game without the chance for graveyard recursion, which can be pivotal against decks that rely on such strategies.

Resource Acceleration: While this card itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, its efficient cost-to-effect ratio means you’re using your mana effectively. This economy of action can indirectly accelerate your board presence by keeping opponent’s threats at bay and preserving your mana for other critical plays.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Devouring Light offers the flexibility to respond to threats at the most opportune time, without needing to commit resources during your own turn. This allows you to keep mana open for other interactions or, if nothing else arises, to cast Devouring Light on an attacking or blocking creature, thereby maintaining optimal board control.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Devouring Light does not explicitly require discarding, its convoke ability can tie up your creatures, potentially leaving you unable to cast other spells or leaving you open to attacks.

Specific Mana Cost: Needing two white mana in its cost makes Devouring Light specifically tailored for white or white-heavy decks, limiting its versatility in multicolored deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two that are color-specific, Devouring Light may be less attractive compared to other removal spells that are either more cost-efficient or provide additional effects.


Reasons to Include Devouring Light in Your Collection

Versatility: Devouring Light doesn’t discriminate against creature types, offering a flexible solution for removal. Whether it’s a token swarm or a singular formidable threat, this card can cleanly address it.

Combo Potential: As a card that can be cast using the convoke mechanic, Devouring Light works seamlessly in decks that swarm the board with creatures, essentially turning your army into a resource to exile opposing threats.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where combat-centered decks are prevalent, Devouring Light shines by removing key combatants and potentially disrupting enemy combos. Its ability to interact during the combat phase makes it a tactical asset in many matchups.


How to beat

Devouring Light is an intriguing removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, standing out with its convoke mechanic that allows players to tap creatures they control to help pay the spell’s cost. It exiles attacking or blocking creatures, which is a powerful effect since it circumvents graveyard-related abilities that could otherwise bring creatures back into play.

To successfully combat Devouring Light, consider playing cards that don’t incentivize attacking or blocking, such as creatures with strong enter-the-battlefield effects. Additionally, spells that provide hexproof or shroud can protect your creatures from being targeted. Counterspells are also an effective strategy, as they can prevent Devouring Light from resolving in the first place. Moreover, timing your creature plays around your opponent’s mana availability can reduce the chances of them successfully casting Devouring Light. This approach requires a tactical understanding of when to advance your board and when to hold back.

Ultimately, while Devouring Light presents a real threat to combat-heavy strategies, there are numerous ways to mitigate its impact. A blend of protective spells, savvy play timing, and non-combat-focused creatures can ensure your formidable forces evade the reach of this potent exile spell.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering Magic the Gathering is about knowing your cards as much as using them effectively. With Devouring Light, control becomes part art, part science. Its exile effect makes it a potent addition against strategies that play from the grave. Whether you’re constructing a new deck or refining an old favorite, understanding the nuances of each card is key. For those looking to sharpen their tactical edge and explore the depths of white magic’s potential, Devouring Light might just be the gem to illuminate your path. Dive deeper into MTG strategy and choose your cards wisely to edge out competitors in your next duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Devouring Light MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Magic 2015, 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 Devouring Light and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Devouring Light Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 132003NormalBlackPete Venters
22014-07-18Magic 2015M15 92015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
32018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 1032015NormalBlackPete Venters
42021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 672015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 1752015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
62023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 1802015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
72024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 152015NormalBlackPete Venters
82024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3051997NormalBlackPete Venters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Devouring Light has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-07-18 The declare blockers step is the last chance to cast Devouring Light before creatures deal their combat damage. However, a creature remains an attacking or blocking creature during the combat damage step and end of combat step. Devouring Light may be cast targeting such a creature during those steps, after the creature has dealt combat damage.
2014-07-18 You can tap untapped attacking or blocking creatures you control to help cast Devouring Light. This doesn't remove those creatures from combat.
2021-03-19 If a creature you control has a mana ability with in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with convoke will result in the creature being tapped before you pay the spell's costs. You won't be able to tap it again for convoke. Similarly, if you sacrifice a creature to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with convoke, that creature won't be on the battlefield when you pay the spell's costs, so you won't be able to tap it for convoke.
2021-03-19 When calculating a spell's total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Convoke applies after the total cost is calculated. Convoke doesn't change a spell's mana cost or mana value.
2021-03-19 You can tap any untapped creature you control to convoke a spell, even one you haven't controlled continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn.