Demonic Hordes MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 103
1993-10-04 - Number 104
1993-12-01 - Number 104
1993-12-10 - Number 104
1993-12-10 - Number 104
1994-04-01 - Number 104
1994-04-01 - Number 104
1994-06-21 - Number 104
2011-01-10 - Number 76
2022-11-28 - Number 100
2022-11-28 - Number 397
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Demon |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Tap to destroy 1 land. Pay o Bo Bo B during upkeep or the Hordes become tapped and you lose a land of opponent's choice.
Created to destroy Dominia, Demons can sometimes be bent to a more focused purpose.
Cards like Demonic Hordes
Demonic Hordes holds a unique place in the array of formidable creatures in Magic the Gathering. Like Demonic Hordes, the card Lord of the Pit is another high-cost creature with an upkeep that can impact the board significantly. Both cards demand sacrifices, with Demonic Hordes requiring land instead of the creatures needed by Lord of the Pit. Additionally, while Lord of the Pit boasts a considerable damage capability, Demonic Hordes offers a tactical advantage by allowing players to control the battlefield via land destruction.
Card similarities extend to Keldon Firebombers, a creature that meshes with Demonic Hordes in the aspect of land control. Keldon Firebombers, however, impacts all players equally upon entry, potentially disrupting strategies including your own, unlike the strategic selectivity afforded by Demonic Hordes. On a smaller scale, Icefall mimics Demonic Horde’s land destruction but lacks the repeated use and powerful presence of a 5/5 creature.
In analyzing the strengths and utility within the game’s landscape, Demonic Hordes stands out with its recurring land removal capability, offering a unique avenue for players to corner opponents and manipulate the flow of the game.
Cards similar to Demonic Hordes by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Demonic Hordes stands out as a compelling card draw engine, enabling sectional control over the game’s momentum. It can effectively disrupt your opponent’s land base, forcing them to answer or face potential mana shortages.
Resource Acceleration: In decks that utilize heavy ramp or mana generation, Demonic Hordes can be deployed much earlier than expected. Its natural synergy with cards that untap lands can lead to a significant acceleration of resources, establishing a formidable board presence.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Demonic Hordes can benefit greatly from instant speed interactions. Cards that untap creatures or lands at instant speed can drastically increase the utility of Demonic Hordes, catching opponents off-guard and disrupting their strategies during crucial moments in the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Demonic Hordes demands the sacrifice of a land during your upkeep, which can steadily deplete your available resources, potentially crippling your mana base essential for executing your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: The card requires a substantial commitment to black mana with a triple black casting cost. This makes it less versatile and can strain your mana base, especially in multicolored decks where balancing colors is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of six mana to get onto the battlefield, Demonic Hordes is a relatively hefty investment. In competitive play, where speed and efficiency are paramount, opting for lower-cost creatures or spells can sometimes lead to a more streamlined and effective strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Demonic Hordes offers a unique capability to control the battlefield by allowing you to tap it to destroy an opponent’s land. This can be exceptionally powerful in decks that aim to hinder an opponent’s mana base, fitting into control strategies that require a careful manipulation of resources.
Combo Potential: This card has interesting interactions with various untap mechanics, giving you the opportunity to use its land destruction ability multiple times in a single turn. When paired with cards that untap your creatures, Demonic Hordes can become a repeating source of disruption, creating opportunities to dismantle your adversary’s land strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where land plays are crucial, having a card that directly targets an opponent’s mana sources can be a significant advantage. During matches where the meta favors resource-heavy decks, introducing Demonic Hordes can shift the balance in your favor, making it a strategic addition to your collection.
How to beat
Demonic Hordes stands as a formidable force in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This mighty black creature card can threaten your land base, leaving you scrambling for answers. One effective strategy against it is to use instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy, which can deal with the Hordes before they wreak havoc. Keeping mana open to respond to its activation is crucial.
Another approach involves taking advantage of its cumulative upkeep cost. Cards like Pacifism or Imprison in the Moon can neutralize Demonic Hordes without forcing you to destroy it, thus bypassing any potential death triggers or recursion your opponent may have in store. Alternatively, turning the tables with land restoration effects or cards like Splendid Reclamation can help recover from the Hordes’ devastating land destruction once you’ve dealt with the creature itself.
Connecting with this overwhelming adversary requires careful navigation. Yet, with the right cards and strategy in play, overcoming Demonic Hordes’ challenge can lead you to a path of victory. Adaptability and preparation are your best allies in ensuring this demonic threat doesn’t end your game prematurely.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Demonic Hordes MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Hordes 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 Demonic Hordes Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Jesper Myrfors.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 103 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 104 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 104 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 104 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 104 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 104 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 104 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 104 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 9 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 76 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 10 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 11 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 397 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jesper Myrfors |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Demonic Hordes has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |