Demonfire MTG Card
2006-05-05 - Number 60
2008-11-07 - Number 57
2014-12-05 - Number 57
2019-02-15 - Number 56
2024-01-12 - Number 107
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Hellbent |
Text of card
Demonfire deals X damage to target creature or player. If a creature dealt damage this way would be put into a graveyard this turn, remove it from the game instead. Hellbent If you have no cards in hand, Demonfire can't be countered by spells or abilities and the damage can't be prevented.
Cards like Demonfire
Demonfire is a powerful burn spell in Magic: The Gathering that sets itself apart with its ability to dish out damage in direct correlation to available mana. Comparable to Fireball, Demonfire offers the added advantage of being uncounterable if cast with no cards in hand. Fireball, while versatile in its capacity to split damage among multiple targets, doesn’t carry the hellbent bonus of Demonfire that ensures the spell reaches its intended target without interruption.
Another relative is Banefire, which also guarantees damage that can’t be prevented or countered if enough mana is spent. Yet, Banefire offers flexibility in being uncounterable at five or more mana, a lower threshold than Demonfire’s hellbent condition. Banefire allows for a more strategic setup earlier in the game as opposed to waiting until your hand is empty with Demonfire.
When assessing burn spells with uncounterable potential, Demonfire stands out for its unique requirement that rewards players who strategically sequence their plays to empty their hand. This distinctive trait can turn the tide of a game, making Demonfire a formidable option in the arsenal of any Magic: The Gathering player.
Cards similar to Demonfire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Demonfire doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its exile effect can be seen as a card advantage in matchups where graveyard recursion is prevalent. By removing a creature permanently, you effectively negate any potential card advantage your opponent could gain from it later.
Resource Acceleration: Demonfire shines in a deck built around mana ramping. Its variable mana cost means the more resources you accumulate, the more damage you deal. This ensures that any late-game excessive mana can translate into a potent finisher, providing indirect resource acceleration by turning surplus lands into potential damage.
Instant Speed: Although Demonfire is a sorcery, its X cost gives it a flexibility not unlike that of instant speed spells. It permits strategy in terms of when to play it, often as a game-ending move after carefully managing your mana reserves. By strategizing your play to occur at the most opportune time, you exploit its potential to turn the tides in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Demonfire demands an empty hand to activate the Hellbent bonus, which can be a significant drawback during gameplay. Ensuring no cards are in hand to unleash its full potential often leaves players vulnerable and limits their strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell requires a heavy red mana commitment, which can be restrictive for multicolored decks. Players must ensure a substantial red mana base which can compromise a deck’s flexibility and color balance.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the base damage is considerable, Demonfire’s escalating mana cost for increased effect can be demanding. Given the pace of modern formats, there may be alternative burn spells or finishers that offer a more manageable mana investment for similar or better impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Demonfire is a dynamic card that can slide into various red deck builds. It serves as a reliable finisher in burn decks or can act as removal in matchups that require control over the board state.
Combo Potential: This card has significant potential in combo strategies. When paired with card mechanics that increase spell damage or reduce mana costs, Demonfire can deliver a devastating blow to opponents, possibly ending the game in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where longer plays are common, Demonfire’s ability to be uncounterable when you have no cards in hand makes it an excellent choice against control decks. Its versatility in dealing with creatures or pressuring life totals keeps it relevant in various metas.
How to beat
Demonfire is a powerful finisher in the right deck, dealing massive damage to a player or creature for an X amount of mana. Its unique hellbent ability ensures that if you have no cards in hand, the damage can’t be prevented and the targeted creature can’t be regenerated, making it lethal against many strategies.
Countering Demonfire is all about timing and resource management. Effective strategies include keeping a healthy hand size to invalidate its hellbent bonus, deploying counterspells to negate the Demonfire before it resolves, and utilizing instant-speed removal to deal with the casting player’s threats before Demonfire becomes a game-ending concern.
Keep in mind that high life totals and preventative measures such as damage prevention or life gain can mitigate Demonfire’s impact. It’s crucial to adjust your tactics to maintain a strategic advantage against decks that harness the explosive power of Demonfire. Planning ahead and understanding the key moments to disrupt your opponent’s strategy are fundamental in ensuring that this devastating card doesn’t seal your fate.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Demonfire MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra, 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 Demonfire 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Demonfire Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Greg Staples.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-05-05 | Dissension | DIS | 60 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 2 | 2008-11-07 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra | DD2 | 57 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 3 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra | JVC | 57 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 4 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 5 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Demonfire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |