Desecration Demon MTG Card


Desecration Demon can force opponents into losing resources each turn, gaining you card advantage. Its considerable size relative to mana cost accelerates your strategy, pressuring opponents early on. Opponents sacrificing creatures enables interaction on their turn, offering a tactical advantage.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Demon
Abilities Flying
Power 6
Toughness 6

Text of card

Flying At the beginning of each combat, any opponent may sacrifice a creature. If a player does, tap Desecration Demon and put a +1/+1 counter on it.


Cards like Desecration Demon

In the deep and diverse world of creature cards in Magic the Gathering, Desecration Demon stands out as a fearsome powerhouse. It’s often compared to other high-impact creatures such as Abyssal Persecutor for their similar mana cost and imposing board presence. Both creatures carry the potential to swiftly tilt the game in favor of the player controlling them. However, Desecration Demon’s unique ability to grow stronger each time your opponent sacrifices a creature, coupled with its flying advantage, gives it an edge in certain situations.

Shadowborn Demon also shares a thematic and mechanical kinship, offering both a removal ability and a significant body. Although it does not have the capacity to scale its power like Desecration Demon, the upfront elimination of an opponent’s creature can be pivotal during gameplay. On the flip side, Overseer of the Damned can be a contender as well, with its added value of generating tokens upon the death of other creatures. It doesn’t present the same degree of immediate threat enlargement, but it provides long-term strategic advantages.

Comparing these formidable black creatures highlights the unique space Desecration Demon occupies in MTG. Combining evasion with a potentially limitless growth mechanism, this demon can command immediate attention and dominate matches if left unchecked.

Abyssal Persecutor - MTG Card versions
Shadowborn Demon - MTG Card versions
Overseer of the Damned - MTG Card versions
Abyssal Persecutor - MTG Card versions
Shadowborn Demon - MTG Card versions
Overseer of the Damned - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Desecration Demon by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Desecration Demon. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Black ControlMono-Black Control PioneerMono-Black MidrangePeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Desecration Demon presents a formidable threat that often requires opponents to sacrifice their creatures to keep it at bay. This attrition can lead to significant card advantage, as each of your opponent’s turns can potentially result in a loss of their resources without you expending any additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: Although Desecration Demon itself does not directly offer resource acceleration, its sheer presence accelerates your strategy by efficiently pressuring opponents. Its substantial power and toughness relative to mana cost ensure a quick clock, potentially hastening the game towards your favor without needing additional mana investment.

Instant Speed: While Desecration Demon operates at sorcery speed, its instant-speed interaction comes into play when opponents begin their turn. Each upkeep, they must decide whether to sacrifice a creature, which can disrupt their plans. This creates a pseudo-instant-speed dynamic where you influence the board during their turn without expending spells from your hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Desecration Demon offers substantial power for its casting cost, it has a drawback requiring opponents to sacrifice a creature to tap it. This can be a considerable disadvantage, especially in matches against decks that generate numerous tokens or expendable creatures, as it allows your opponent to manipulate the Demon’s availability for your plans.

Specific Mana Cost: Desecration Demon’s casting cost demands two specific black mana symbols, which could limit deck-building options. It’s essential for players to have a consistent mana base to play the card on curve, which might be challenging in multicolored decks that rely on a wider variety of mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Desecration Demon may compete with other four-drop creatures or spells that do not offer opponents a choice in how to manage them. This can sometimes make the Demon less attractive in a deck where maintaining control of the board is paramount.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Desecration Demon offers a dynamic approach to various game plans. As a flyer with formidable stats, it has the power to serve as both an offensive threat and a defensive blocker, making it adaptable to different deck strategies.

Combo Potential: This demon shines when paired with cards that benefit from creatures entering and leaving the battlefield. Its ability to force sacrifices can be exploited to clear the way for a winning attack or to synergize with sacrifice-triggered abilities.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-changing MTG landscape, Desecration Demon remains a stalwart presence against many popular decks. Its ability to disrupt opponent strategies and dominate the skies keeps it relevant and a force to be reckoned with in various metagame scenarios.


How to beat

Desecration Demon poses a substantial threat on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, with its ability to grow stronger for each creature sacrificed by your opponent. However, like any formidable card, it does have its weaknesses. Utilizing removal spells like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can effectively neutralize it before it accumulates too much power. Additionally, deploying creatures with ‘tap’ abilities can constantly keep the demon at bay, preventing it from attacking or blocking.

Another strategy involves leveraging its forced sacrifice mechanic to your advantage. By continuously offering it creatures to devour – preferably those with beneficial ‘leaves the battlefield’ effects or ‘enter the battlefield’ triggers – you can essentially mitigate the demon’s impact while reaping benefits for your gameplay. It’s also worth noting that Desecration Demon requires careful timing from opponents when deciding to sacrifice creatures, rendering instants that generate token creatures especially valuable for interrupting its assault.

In essence, while Desecration Demon can dominate games if left unchecked, a combination of strategic creature play and targeted removal can contain and even exploit its presence on the board.


BurnMana Recommendations

Desecration Demon presents a unique set of strengths and challenges for MTG players seeking to bolster their decks or counter this powerful creature. Balancing your approach to its abilities can be the difference between victory and defeat. For those intrigued by its potential and interested in integrating Desecration Demon into your arsenal, further exploration is key. Discover strategies to unlock its full power, and devising tactics to mitigate its weaknesses could offer you a considerable edge. To deepen your understanding and enhance your gameplay with Desecration Demon and more, join our community where seasoned players and newcomers alike come to thrive.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Desecration Demon MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica 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 Desecration Demon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Desecration Demon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2017-03-17. Illustrated by Jason Chan.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 632003NormalBlackJason Chan
22016-09-02Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob NixilisDDR 442015NormalBlackJason Chan
32017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 662015NormalBlackJason Chan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Desecration Demon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Desecration Demon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-03-14 Each opponent in turn order may choose to sacrifice a creature, even if an opponent already chose to sacrifice a creature that combat. Desecration Demon will have a maximum of one +1/+1 counter put on it each combat, no matter how many creatures were sacrificed.
2017-03-14 Players won’t know which player or planeswalker Desecration Demon will attack, if any, when deciding whether to sacrifice a creature.