Demon's Grasp MTG Card
2015-10-02 - Number 108
2016-09-02 - Number 43
2019-11-07 - Number 622
2022-12-02 - Number 400
2020-09-26 - Number BFZ-108
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Target creature gets -5/-5 until end of turn.
"Take what solace you can in the knowledge that you will not be here to witness Zendikar's demise." —Ob Nixilis
Cards like Demon's Grasp
Demon’s Grasp is an impactful removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, bearing resemblance to several others in the realm of creature control. Much like Murder, Demon’s Grasp is designed to unconditionally remove a creature from the battlefield. Where Murder excels with its lower casting cost and instant speed, Demon’s Grasp compensates with its flexibility in targeting, including the ability to bypass hexproof and shroud by not requiring a target.
When considering removal spells, nuances make all the difference. Languish, for instance, is a sweep that can affect multiple creatures, but its -4/-4 until end of turn may not handle larger threats as effectively as Demon’s Grasp’s direct removal. On the other hand, Grasp of Darkness is more mana-efficient with its -4/-4 to a single target but again falls short in dealing with large indestructible creatures which Demon’s Grasp can address without difficulty.
Finally, as we analyze the nuances of creature removal, Demon’s Grasp finds its niche particularly in controlling environments where the inevitability of dealing with hefty threats is paramount. Its higher mana cost is justified in contexts where guaranteed removal can be the difference between victory and defeat in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Demon's Grasp by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Demon’s Grasp is key for controlling the board state by eliminating a threat, which can effectively lead to card advantage. By removing an opposing creature, you reduce the number of resources an opponent can utilize, tipping the scales in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, Demon’s Grasp can be instrumental in protecting your resources. By removing a critical threat, you preserve your life total and the integrity of your side of the board, ensuring your mana and other assets can be utilized for future plays.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the card’s effect is potent enough to warrant inclusion in strategies that benefit from strong sorcery-speed removals. Planning the use of such powerful sorcery speed spells can be analogous to wielding instant speed interactions in terms of strategic depth and impact during your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Demon’s Grasp is that it doesn’t have a discard requirement, but this is counterbalanced by other factors that can make it less appealing, especially in fast-paced games where you need every card in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana combination to cast, one black and four of any other color, which can be prohibitive and limit deck flexibility. Players without a solid mana base might struggle to cast it on time.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five, Demon’s Grasp is considered to have a high cost for its effect. Many players consider this to be a steep investment, especially when there might be other removal options that are more cost-effective.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Demon’s Grasp offers a high-impact removal tool that can clear the way for victory. It fits well into control decks or any build that aims to manage threats on the board effectively.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in control combo decks, creating openings by removing problematic creatures that stand between you and your endgame strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a creature-heavy meta, the ability to eliminate high-priority targets makes Demon’s Grasp a noteworthy choice, potentially shifting the tide of a match in your favor.
How to beat
Demon’s Grasp is a formidable removal spell in MTG with the capacity to change the tides of the game by neutralizing a major threat on the board. To successfully overcome this card, players must develop strategic plays that consider the potential of Demon’s Grasp being in their opponent’s hand. It’s crucial to avoid overcommitting your most valuable creatures to the battlefield when mana indicates the possibility for this sorcery to be cast. Diversifying threats and maintaining a robust hand can help mitigate the impact of losing a key creature.
Utilizing spells that offer hexproof or indestructible attributes can shield your creatures from becoming targets of Demon’s Grasp. Alternatively, playing creatures with an enter the battlefield effect ensures that you still gain value even if they are later removed. Another tactic is to bait out the removal spell with a less critical creature before deploying your primary threat. Remember, maintaining a pace where you can replenish your board quickly after a removal will keep you in the game and diminish the advantage gained by your opponent’s use of Demon’s Grasp.
Overall, while Demon’s Grasp can be a powerful tool for your opponent, incorporating these strategies into your gameplay can help you secure your position and eventually lead you to victory even if this daunting spell is cast.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Demon's Grasp MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis, 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's Grasp 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 Demon's Grasp Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by David Gaillet.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 108 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 2 | 2016-09-02 | Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis | DDR | 43 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 622 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | BFZ-108 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | ||
| 5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 400 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Demon's Grasp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |