Demon of Death's Gate MTG Card
2010-07-16 - Number 92
2020-09-26 - Number M11-92
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 9 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Demon |
| Abilities | Flying,Trample |
| Power | 9 |
| Toughness | 9 |
Text of card
You may pay 6 life and sacrifice three black creatures rather than pay Demon of Death's Gate's mana cost. Flying, trample
The locks on the cages of the damned are opened with keys of marrow, sinew, and blood.
Cards like Demon of Death's Gate
Demon of Death’s Gate stands out in the realm of high-powered creatures in Magic: The Gathering. If we consider other powerful demons such as Lord of the Void, which boasts a massive 7/7 body and an impactful exile ability, Demon of Death’s Gate offers a similar intimidation factor with its own substantial 9/9 stats. However, Demon of Death’s Gate has an interesting advantage – it can potentially be played much earlier by paying a significant alternative cost of life and sacrificing creatures rather than its high mana cost.
Another comparable creature is Griselbrand. This legendary demon provides flying, lifelink, and an ability to draw cards at the cost of life, but it doesn’t have the same cost condition flexibility as Demon of Death’s Gate. Additionally, Razaketh, the Foulblooded offers tutor abilities at the cost of sacrificing another creature, aligning with Demon of Death’s Gate’s theme of leveraging your own field for ultimate power. Yet, Razaketh doesn’t share the same unique early game presence that Demon of Death’s Gate can achieve.
When we analyze Demon of Death’s Gate alongside its counterparts, its early game potential built on strategic creature and life sacrifices marks its distinctive place among potent MTG creatures, giving it a looming table presence that can pressure opponents from the outset.
Cards similar to Demon of Death's Gate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Casting Demon of Death’s Gate provides a significant presence on the board by introducing a powerful creature early in the game. Its substantial 9/9 stats can dominate the battlefield and pressure opponents into using multiple resources to deal with it, often leading to a card advantage for the player who controls this impactful creature.
Resource Acceleration: One of the unique characteristics of Demon of Death’s Gate is its alternative casting cost. Rather than paying the hefty mana cost, a player can opt to sacrifice three black creatures and pay 6 life, effectively accelerating the resource usage and bypassing the traditional mana curve. This ability can turn the tide of the game as it allows deploying a major threat well ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: While Demon of Death’s Gate itself does not have instant speed, it pairs well with instant-speed spells and abilities that can create the necessary tokens or conditions for its alternative casting cost. The synergy with instant-speed interactions enhances the strategic depth and timing for when to best deploy this demonic behemoth, making it a formidable card for players who can leverage their resources effectively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Summoning the Demon of Death’s Gate requires you to sacrifice three black creatures in addition to paying six black mana. This substantial demand might leave you vulnerable by depleting your board presence, particularly if you don’t have the creatures to sacrifice or you’re sacrificing valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Although it has an alternative casting cost, the specific mana requirement of triple black can be restrictive for multicolor decks. It demands a heavy commitment to black mana sources, potentially limiting the card’s versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its alternative casting condition, if you opt to pay the mana cost, nine mana is a significant investment. This makes the Demon of Death’s Gate less accessible in the early stages of the game and potentially slower compared to other high-impact creatures available in MTG.
Reasons to Include Demon of Death’s Gate in Your Collection
Versatility: Demon of Death’s Gate offers flexibility in black-centric or multicolor decks that have a focus on life manipulation. This powerhouse can often be played earlier than its nine-mana cost through the alternative payment of six life and sacrificing creatures, which can align well with strategies that benefit from creatures entering and leaving the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with various combo engines, notably those revolving around creature sacrifice for gain. Its sheer power can swiftly end games or be utilized in tandem with resurrection spells to repeatedly exploit its entry onto the field, making it a threat that keeps on giving.
Meta-Relevance: With a meta that shifts to accommodate heavy-hitter creatures and life-total focused gameplay, Demon of Death’s Gate can offer significant advantage. Its presence deters opponents and demands immediate answers, making it a potent force in any format that can support its unique casting requirements.
How to Beat
The Demon of Death’s Gate poses a formidable threat on the battlefield, presenting a sizeable challenge for even the most experienced Magic: The Gathering players. With its hefty 9/9 body capable of flying and trample, overcoming this behemoth requires strategic planning and resourceful play. One effective method is utilizing exile spells, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, which can swiftly remove the Demon from play without triggering its devastating abilities.
Another viable approach is to employ sacrificial effects. Cards like Diabolic Edict force the Demon’s controller to sacrifice a creature. Since the Demon often enters the battlefield early in the game, thanks to its alternative casting cost which allows for sacrificing creatures, the likelihood of it being the sole creature present is high. Thus, these types of spells can be a clean and efficient resolution. Additionally, deploying creatures with death touch, such as Typhoid Rats, can ensure a deadly block, making for an equal trade despite the power disparity.
In conclusion, while the Demon of Death’s Gate is an imposing presence, it is not insurmountable. With careful deck construction and timely responses, you can ensure that this high-powered creature is nothing more than a temporary setback in your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Demon of Death's Gate MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and The List, 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 Demon of Death's Gate 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
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Printings
The Demon of Death's Gate Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2010-07-16. Illustrated by Vance Kovacs.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 92 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Vance Kovacs | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | M11-92 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Vance Kovacs |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Demon of Death's Gate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Demon of Death's Gate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-08-15 | Casting Demon of Death’s Gate by paying its alternative cost doesn’t change its mana cost or converted mana cost. |
| 2010-08-15 | Casting Demon of Death’s Gate by paying its alternative cost doesn’t change when you can cast it. You can cast it only at the normal time you could cast a creature spell. |
| 2010-08-15 | Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast Demon of Death’s Gate will apply to it even if you choose to pay its alternative cost. |