Diabolical Salvation MTG Card

Diabolical Salvation - 2017 Heroes of the Realm

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Mythic
Type	Instant
Abilities	Split second,Treasure
Released	2018-08-01
Set symbol
Set name	2017 Heroes of the Realm
Set code	PH17
Number	1
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros

Key Takeaways

Provides instant board presence with multiple tokens, crucial during tight defensive or offensive situations.
Demands strategic discarding, which could be a setback if resources are already stretched thin.
While versatile, Diabolical Salvation’s black mana requirement and high cost may limit its use.

Text of card

Split second Create four 4/4 red Devil creature tokens with haste and "When this creature dies, create a colorless Treasure artifact token with ', Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.'" Sacrifice the Devil tokens at the beginning of the next end step.

To succeed, the wizards made a deal with devils.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Diabolical Salvation offers a strategic upper hand by providing multiple tokens with a single card. This allows players to widen their board presence or create blockers, which could be key during tight situations.

Resource Acceleration: The spell’s ability to grant a slew of tokens in one fell swoop can be a game-changer, giving you the means to catalyze your strategic plays and outmaneuver your opponent using the extra permanents at your disposal.

Instant Speed: The capacity to cast Diabolical Salvation at instant speed is what sets it apart. It offers the flexibility to react swiftly to your opponent’s moves, potentially disrupting their strategy or making a pivotal defensive play at the moment it matters most.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Diabolical Salvation demands that you discard another card to play it. This can set you back, especially if your hand is already low on cards — a harsh trade-off when you’re seeking to maintain momentum in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With a stringent mana requirement that is particular to black mana, Diabolical Salvation limits flexibility. Decks that don’t heavily feature black mana may struggle to cast it efficiently, thereby narrowing its overall adaptability across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its mana cost is notable when compared to other spells in your arsenal. The investment to summon creatures with Diabolical Salvation may detract from being able to activate other critical abilities or spells within the same turn, potentially affecting your strategic plays.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Diabolical Salvation offers flexibility by providing a surprise blocker element, which can be slotted into various decks that require instant-speed defenses against unpredictable attacks.

Combo Potential: As a card that creates multiple creature tokens, Diabolical Salvation can synergize with strategies that capitalize on having a wide board presence, enabling numerous interactions and triggering of abilities across different creature-orientated decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies are prevalent, the ability to instantly create blockers can shift the tide of the game. Diabolical Salvation fits well in this space, offering strategic options and responses that are vital in the current competitive landscape.

How to beat

Diabolical Salvation presents a unique challenge in a game of Magic: The Gathering, arriving on the battlefield as an emergency defense mechanism. Creating a sudden legion of tokens can be a real roadblock for opponents aiming to deal lethal damage. Understanding its strengths is key to circumventing its threat. The card can only be cast when an opponent declares attackers, so timing is everything.

To effectively counter this card, control strategies that include counter spells can negate its entry altogether. Sweepers or mass removal spells activated prior to the combat phase can also clear the path. Additionally, evasive measures, such as granting your creatures flying or trample, can help bypass or minimize the impact of the tokens. Cards that prevent the casting of spells during combat or restrict token generation are another path to victory. Lastly, keeping pressure on your opponent’s life total outside of combat can render Diabolical Salvation less impactful. By adapting your strategy and maintaining awareness of the battlefield state, you can neutralize the potential setback posed by this potent spell.

While it may seem daunting at first, with careful play and the right counters, overcoming Diabolical Salvation is completely within reach for seasoned players.

Cards like Diabolical Salvation

Diabolical Salvation is an intriguing choice for players who seek to summon a multitude of creatures in a single turn. This card is often compared to spells like Secure the Wastes, which can also flood the battlefield with token creatures, albeit Warrior tokens instead of the Devil tokens created by Diabolical Salvation. While both spells have instant speed, allowing strategical flexibility during gameplay, Secure the Wastes does not grant the damage-dealing ability that Diabolical Salvation’s tokens possess upon death.

Another close relative in terms of token generation capabilities is Raise the Alarm, a commonly used card with a lower mana cost that creates two Soldier tokens at instant speed. Even though Raise the Alarm is quite efficient, the two Soldiers lack the incremental damage potential provided by Diabolical Salvation’s Devil tokens upon their demise. Lastly, Hordeling Outburst produces a trio of Goblins at sorcery speed, which means that it won’t surprise opponents during their turn, an edge that Diabolical Salvation holds for strategic deployment.

In summary, while there are several options for token generation in Magic: The Gathering, Diabolical Salvation carves out a niche with its balance of quantity, quality, and instant speed, making it an enticing pick, particularly for players looking to deliver quick blows with Devil tokens that can sting an opponent even in defeat.

Cards similar to Diabolical Salvation by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Diabolical Salvation MTG card by a specific set like 2017 Heroes of the Realm, 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 Diabolical Salvation and other MTG cards:

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Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-12-07	The Commander RC has ruled that if your name is printed on the bottom of a Heroes of the Realm card, that card is legal for you in Commander.