Asmodeus the Archfiend MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 6 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Legendary Creature — Devil God |
Power | 6 |
Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
Binding Contract — If you would draw a card, exile the top card of your library face down instead. : Draw seven cards. : Return all cards exiled with Asmodeus the Archfiend to their owner's hand and you lose that much life.
Cards like Asmodeus the Archfiend
In the realm of unique MTG demons, Asmodeus the Archfiend stands in its own league. It exhibits similarities with other potent creatures like Rakshasa’s Secret for its hand disruption ability. However, where Asmodeus becomes unparalleled is its potential for massive card draw, given the conditions are met for its banquet of blood ability.
Graveyard-based strategies also bring to mind the mechanic of Underworld Broker. While this creature offers a steady card advantage by exchanging cards in your hand for those in your graveyard, Asmodeus allows for a potentially larger, yet riskier draw. Moreover, the Archfiend is a hefty creature with a significant presence on the battlefield, unlike Underworld Broker’s more modest stat line.
Yet, when considering bulk card access, Blood Scrivener presents itself as another card to compare. Still, it only triggers when you’re drawing with an empty hand, making Asmodeus the go-to for a more controlled and impactful draw. Overall, Asmodeus the Archfiend serves a distinctive role with its draw mechanics and the demon theme, standing prominent amongst its parallels in MTG.
Cards similar to Asmodeus the Archfiend by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Asmodeus the Archfiend excels in providing an overwhelming card advantage. His ability to draw seven cards for just one life each has the potential to turn the tide of a game by filling your hand with an arsenal of options.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, Asmodeus’s bargain with players allows them to put numerous cards into their hand without spending mana immediately. This can lead to explosive turns later on, when the cards are paid for with life instead.
Instant Speed: One of the key strategic benefits of this card is activating its abilities at instant speed. Players can wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to draw seven cards, which not only surprises the opponent with a sudden swell of resources but also ensures that you’re making the most informed decisions with a full hand of cards.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Asmodeus the Archfiend necessitates a hefty discard cost, compelling players to discard their entire hand which can strategically cripple their game if not executed with caution.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting requirements are stringent, demanding both black and generic mana, thus potentially restricting its synergy to decks heavily favoring the black mana pool.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: To summon Asmodeus the Archfiend, a fair amount of mana is needed, which may be challenging to muster promptly, especially when competing with other high-impact cards that require less resource investment.
Reasons to Include Asmodeus the Archfiend in Your Collection
Versatility: Asmodeus the Archfiend offers flexibility in various deck archetypes, particularly those harnessing the power of card draw and demonic synergies. Its ability to exchange life for cards provides a unique engine in formats where card advantage is key.
Combo Potential: This card’s abilities open up numerous combo routes. With the right setup, Asmodeus the Archfiend can fuel strategies focusing on filling the hand, graveyard manipulation, or even an instant win scenario with the right combination of cards.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting nature of MTG, a card like Asmodeus the Archfiend can disrupt opponents by forcing them to deal with an immediate and recurring threat. In metagames where longevity and resilience are crucial, this card’s presence on the battlefield can’t be easily ignored.
How to beat
Asmodeus the Archfiend commands attention in the MTG realm with its formidable ability to draw seven cards for the price of life and a complicated yet rewarding payoff. Overcoming this demon requires strategic finesse, but it’s absolutely feasible. Managing the battlefield by removing creatures can stymie Asmodeus’s effectiveness. Spot removal spells such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can exile or destroy the Demon before its abilities become relevant, cutting short the card advantage it seeks to offer.
Another successful strategy is to direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt or Shock not just at the creature but at the opponent, keeping their life total low and making the cost of utilizing Asmodeus’s abilities more risky. Additionally, graveyard disruption tools, like Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze, can disrupt the delayed card draw ability by removing cards before they’re returned to the opponent’s hand. This can neutralize the threat of a stocked hand.
Remember, while Asmodeus the Archfiend can be an explosive game-changer, like any card in MTG, it can be countered with thoughtful play. A mix of removal, life pressure, and graveyard disturbance forms the crux of turning the tables on this dangerous fiend.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the power of Asmodeus the Archfiend is a nuanced journey for dedicated MTG players. Properly leveraging its advantages in card drawing and hand manipulation can lead to significant turns and surprising victories. However, being aware of its cons is equally essential to prevent potential setbacks during gameplay. Recognizing and preparing for both the strengths and weaknesses of this commanding card can transform your matches into captivating showdowns. To harness Asmodeus the Archfiend to its full potential and explore its impact on various deck types, don’t hesitate to seek out more knowledge as you aim to outmaneuver opponents with skillful play.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Asmodeus the Archfiend MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos, 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 Asmodeus the Archfiend and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Asmodeus the Archfiend Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Aleksi Briclot.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 92704 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | ||
2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 88s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
3 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 88p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
4 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 88 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
5 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 373 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
6 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 88a | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Asmodeus the Archfiend has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Asmodeus the Archfiend card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2021-07-23 | If Asmodeus the Archfiend leaves the battlefield before you activate its last ability, any cards exiled by its replacement effect remain exiled face down for the rest of the game. If you somehow return the same Asmodeus the Archfiend card to the battlefield, it will be a different object with no connection to those face-down cards. |
2021-07-23 | If a card is exiled face-down and no player has been given permission to look at it, no player is allowed to look at it as long as it remains exiled face-down. |
2021-07-23 | If your library is empty, no cards will be exiled but you won't lose the game due to drawing from an empty library. |