Devastating Summons MTG Card

Transforms excess lands into creatures, optimizing late-game land resources and can surprise opponents. Requires sacrificing all lands, which can be risky, and is only suitable for red mana strategies. Offers versatility and combo potential in red decks, enhancing adaptability in various game situations.

Devastating Summons - Rise of the Eldrazi

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	2010-04-23
Set symbol
Set name	Rise of the Eldrazi
Set code	ROE
Number	140
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jung Park

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast Devastating Summons, sacrifice X lands. Put two X/X red Elemental creature tokens onto the battlefield.

Things born in magma are always angry.

Cards like Devastating Summons

Devastating Summons holds a unique space within Magic: The Gathering as a powerful, yet risky, board-altering spell. It draws a parallel to cards like Goblin Offensive, which similarly allows the summoning of multiple creature tokens based on the investment of mana. However, Devastating Summons requires the sacrifice of lands, a move that can swing the game either way by potentially overwhelming the board or leaving you vulnerable.

Another comparable spell is Firecat Blitz; it too generates a swarm of creature tokens. Firecat Blitz’s token production is direct with mana, avoiding the sacrifice of valuable land resources. Conversely, Devastating Summons offers the added flexibility of deciding the creature token’s power and toughness, a potential game-ender with the right setup. Finally, Krenko’s Command is worth mentioning, a consistent spell that always produces two Goblin tokens. Though not as explosive as Devastating Summons, Krenko’s Command provides a reliable option without jeopardizing your land base.

Through comparing these cards, Devastating Summons emerges as a high-risk, high-reward option, suitable for decks equipped to utilize or mitigate the potential downside of land sacrifice. Its dynamic impact on the battlefield characterizes it as a spell for players who enjoy strategic gambles in their game plan.

Decks using this card

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

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
8-Whack	Modern	8-Whack	Modern Preliminary 2024-04-11
Mono-Red Goblins	Modern	8-Whack	F2F Tour Championship - Ottawa Round 5 (Regional Championship)
Mono-Red Aggro	Modern	8-Whack	DEN24 Sat 9:00 - U.S. Regional Championship - presented by Laughing Dragon

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Devastating Summons doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it transforms your lands into potent creature threats, effectively turning each land sacrificed into a resource with combat potential. This helps to utilize lands that are otherwise redundant in the late game and can turn the tide by creating unexpected blockers or attackers.

Resource Acceleration: Devastating Summons is a unique form of resource acceleration. By sacrificing surplus lands, you can create large Elemental creatures that may exceed the power and toughness you would normally be able to play for the same amount of mana, giving you an accelerated board presence that can quickly overwhelm your opponent.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Devastating Summons at instant speed provides tremendous strategic advantages. You can initiate this spell at the end of your opponent’s turn to surprise them with new creatures for your next attack or use it as a response to actions that would leave you with untapped lands, maximizing your mana usage efficiency.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Devastating Summons presents a unique challenge in that you must sacrifice all of your lands when you cast it. This can significantly hinder your ability to play other spells during the same turn or in subsequent turns, especially if the summoned creatures don’t immediately turn the tide in your favor.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a red mana to cast. Because of its color-specific mana cost, it fits primarily within red decks or those that can reliably produce red mana, which might restrict its inclusion in a broader range of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the initial casting cost is low, the true cost of Devastating Summons is the loss of all your lands. This effectively makes the card’s cost variable and potentially high, as you could be sacrificing a substantial amount of mana resources. In a game where mana efficiency is key, Devastating Summons could be a risky play if not timed perfectly or if you lack a follow-up plan.

Reasons to Include Devastating Summons in Your Collection

Versatility: Devastating Summons offers a high level of adaptability for a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to quickly generate creature tokens can serve as both a defensive maneuver and an aggressive play, fitting seamlessly into both control and aggro strategies.

Combo Potential: This card presents numerous synergies within red-based decks. When paired with cards that capitalize on sacrificing lands or that benefit from the creation of multiple creatures, Devastating Summons can become a game-changing combo enabler.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where board presence can deter opponents or swing the tide of battle, having the ability to create instantaneous blockers or attackers can be crucial. Especially in metas where tempo plays make the difference, this card’s capacity to rapidly alter board states makes it a noteworthy addition to any collection.

How to beat Devastating Summons

Devastating Summons is a unique sorcery card in Magic: The Gathering that serves as an aggressive strategy, enabling players to sacrifice lands in exchange for elemental creatures. The card can quickly turn the tides of a game by creating sizable creatures that can potentially overwhelm opponents. However, there are strategies to counter this power move effectively.

Counterspell strategies are an initial line of defense to consider. Having instant speed removal or board wipes at the ready can mitigate the threat posed by the creature tokens generated. For example, cards like Doom Blade or Wrath of God can be pivotal in maintaining control of the battlefield. Managing your removal resources efficiently and timing your board resets post-summons can render the sacrifice made by your opponent almost futile. Additionally, combat tricks such as Settle the Wreckage can both clear the summoned creatures and provide you with an advantageous position.

Overall, while Devastating Summons can dramatically change the face of the game, preparedness for its arrival ensures it doesn’t signify the end. Instead, it becomes an opportunity for savvy players to turn an impressive play into a harrowing misstep for their opponent.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Devastating Summons MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi, 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 Devastating Summons and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Devastating Summons 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 Devastating Summons card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2010-06-15	You may sacrifice zero lands as you cast Devastating Summons. If you do, you’ll put two 0/0 creature tokens onto the battlefield as the spell resolves. Unless some effect (such as the one from Glorious Anthem) is boosting their toughness, they’ll be put into the graveyard as a state-based action. Abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield will trigger, as will those that trigger when a creature leaves the battlefield.