Archfiend of Depravity MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Demon
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Archfiend of Depravity excels in creating card advantage by limiting opponents’ creature count each end step.
  2. Its presence dictates game pace, with strategic benefits in resource acceleration and player control.
  3. While it has mana costs that can challenge deckbuilding, its game-changing abilities justify inclusion.

Text of card

Flying At the beginning of each opponent's end step, that player chooses up to two creatures he or she controls, then sacrifices the rest.

"Why would I kill you all? Who then would be left to worship me?"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the key benefits of the Archfiend of Depravity is its ability to disrupt the card balance in your favor. By forcing your opponent to sacrifice creatures until they have only two left during their end step, you indirectly generate card advantage as your opponent loses resources while you maintain your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While this powerful fiend doesn’t directly ramp up your mana resources, it plays a vital role in resource acceleration by clearing the way for your attacks. Opponents with fewer creatures means fewer blockers and a quicker path to victory, enabling you to capitalize on your mana investments more effectively.

Instant Speed: Archfiend of Depravity’s ability doesn’t work at instant speed, but its mere presence can dictate the pace of the game. Opponents must play around its threatening end step trigger, often holding back creatures or playing at sub-optimal times. This effectively gives you the upper hand, as you can cast spells and commit to attacks knowing their attempts to build a board are limited.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Archfiend of Depravity doesn’t require you to discard cards directly, its ability can indirectly cause hand depletion. Ensuring you have the right creatures to sacrifice might necessitate strategic discards, which isn’t ideal when you’re short on cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying the Archfiend of Depravity demands a very specific mana arrangement, requiring not just five mana but also exactly two black mana sources. This can restrict its integration into multicolor decks or make it challenging to summon early on in a game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two that must be black, this demon is not the cheapest creature to get onto the battlefield. When you compare it to other creatures with impactful abilities, the Archfiend can be seen as a costly investment, especially in fast-paced games where lower-cost creatures can start affecting the board much sooner.


Reasons to Include Archfiend of Depravity in Your Collection

Versatility: The Archfiend of Depravity is a formidable inclusion in black decks that capitalize on controlling opponent creatures. This powerful demon can be a game-changer in both casual and competitive play formats, punishing token strategies and limiting opponent creature counts.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with effects that force opponents to sacrifice creatures, amplifying the impact of existing board control strategies. Its ability can also set the stage for devastating one-sided board wipes and graveyard play.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of creature-heavy decks in various metas, Archfiend of Depravity holds a spot as a meta call against them. Its presence on the battlefield can turn the tide in your favor by keeping opponent’s creature presence to a strategic minimum, thereby disrupting their plans and enhancing your position.


How to beat Archfiend of Depravity

Archfiend of Depravity poses a unique challenge on the battlefield, limiting opponents to only two creatures during each end step. Tackling this formidable foe requires a strategic approach, often involving the removal of the Archfiend itself. Utilizing instant-speed removal spells such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can catch an opponent off guard, eliminating the demon before its ability triggers. Another strategy is to pivot towards non-creature-based win conditions, such as planeswalkers or enchantments, which remain unaffected by the Archfiend’s limiting decree.

Dealing with the Archfiend can also be a matter of timing—playing creatures post-end step circumvents the restriction, though careful play is necessary to ensure they survive through the opponent’s turn. Moreover, playing indestructible creatures or those with resurrection abilities can effectively nullify the power of Archfiend of Depravity, while also keeping a robust presence on the board. Ultimately, understanding and anticipating this card’s abilities is crucial, allowing players to maintain their strategy and defeat an Archfiend-led deck with confidence.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the MTG landscape is not only about having the right cards but also understanding their strengths and potential drawbacks. Archfiend of Depravity brings a unique control dynamic to the game, reshaping the battlefield by culling enemy creatures. Its specific mana needs and the conducting of its unholy symphony during the end step provide both an opportunity and a challenge. Whether countering creature-heavy decks or weaving new strategies with its demonic influence, the Archfiend demands a place in both your collection and your tactical playbook. Strengthen your deck and navigate the complexities ahead more effectively by incorporating this formidable demon into your arsenal. Dive deeper into strategy and deck-building tips with us to harness the full might of this enthralling card.


Exploring Archfiend of Depravity and Its Siblings in Darkness

The captivating world of MTG is teeming with creatures that twist the tide of battles, among which stands the nefarious Archfiend of Depravity. A formidable presence, this card limits opponents to a scant two creatures per end phase, exemplifying control in its darkest form. It calls to mind the similarly brutal Sheoldred, Whispering One, which not only forces opponents to sacrifice creatures but also resurrects your creatures from the graveyard, a powerful duality Archfiend lacks.

Cards like Archfiend of Depravity

In the realm of MTG, Archfiend of Depravity is often compared to other fiends that also dictate the battlefield’s tempo. Harvester of Souls presents a different take on advantage through demise, rewarding its controller with card draw upon the death of any creature, not just limiting the number as Archfiend does. Demon of Wailing Agonies, while needing Lieutenant to truly shine, can also coax sacrifices from opponents when it swings. Unlike Archfiend, both of these demons offer incremental value while avoiding direct monster count manipulation.

While evaluating the merits of such cruel tenants of the board, Archfiend of Depravity carves its niche as a rule-setting tyrant, gaining an edge in formats where controlling enemy creature counts is paramount. No other card embodies the same enforcing rule with such majesty, showcasing just why it’s revered among strategies seeking to smother foes in their own excess.

Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Harvester of Souls - MTG Card versions
Demon of Wailing Agonies - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - New Phyrexia Promos (PNPH)
Harvester of Souls - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Demon of Wailing Agonies - Commander 2014 (C14)

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Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
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Skyshroud Vampire - Tempest (TMP)
Predatory Nightstalker - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Fallen Angel - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Stone Catapult - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
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Sootfeather Flock - Legions (LGN)
Zombie Cutthroat - Scourge (SCG)
Gluttonous Zombie - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Vermiculos - Mirrodin (MRD)
Woebearer - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Wei Elite Companions - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Halo Hunter - Zendikar (ZEN)
Malakir Bloodwitch - Zendikar (ZEN)
Caustic Crawler - Worldwake (WWK)
Shriekmaw - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Reaper of Sheoldred - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Dementia Bat - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Phyrexian Plaguelord - Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia (TD2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Archfiend of Depravity MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Fate Reforged, 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 Archfiend of Depravity and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Archfiend of Depravity Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2017-06-16. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 557112015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
22015-01-23Fate ReforgedFRF 622015normalblackDaarken
32015-01-23Fate Reforged PromosPFRF 62s2015normalblackDaarken
42015-01-23Fate Reforged PromosPFRF 622015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
52017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 312015normalblackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Archfiend of Depravity has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2014-11-24 The opponent chooses which creatures to spare, if any, as the ability resolves. This choice doesn’t target the creatures.
2014-11-24 The opponent may choose to spare one or no creatures. If the player doesn’t choose any creatures, they will sacrifice all creatures they control.

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