Fists of the Demigod MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2008-05-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shadowmoor |
| Set code | SHM |
| Number | 187 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dan Scott |
Text of card
Enchant creature As long as enchanted creature is black, it gets +1/+1 and has wither. (It deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) As long as enchanted creature is red, it gets +1/+1 and has first strike.
Cards like Fists of the Demigod
Fists of the Demigod is a unique enchantment with duality abilities in Magic: The Gathering, offering both power boost and wither to a single creature. In terms of enchantments that provide additional strength to creatures, Madcap Skills similarly enhances a creature with a +3/+0 and menace advantage. The latter offers a clear path for damage but lacks the wither ability that Fists of the Demigod brings to the table, wherein damage dealt by the creature also diminishes the opponent’s creature by placing -1/-1 counters on it.
Exploring closer relatives, Unholy Strength is a basic augmentation with a straightforward +2/+1 boost. Although it’s cost-efficient, it doesn’t contribute the layered attack and defense mechanism that Fists of the Demigod does. Infectious Bloodlust is another augment card that gives a substantial power hike and has a built-in recursion ability when the host creature dies, but again, the wither aspect that defines Fists of the Demigod isn’t paralleled here.
Comparing these variants demonstrates that while many cards grant creatures significant power-ups, Fists of the Demigod stands out for its synergistic blend of offense and defense, establishing it as a versatile option for any player aiming to weaken enemy creatures while bolstering their own.
Cards similar to Fists of the Demigod by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Fists of the Demigod doesn’t directly allow you to draw more cards, the substantial boost it gives to a creature can lead to eliminating opponents’ creatures in combat, effectively providing indirect card advantage by diminishing their board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Fists of the Demigod doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration in terms of mana, but it can be considered a form of acceleration for power and toughness, allowing for faster damage output which can speed up the clock on your opponent’s life total.
Instant Speed: Fists of the Demigod is an aura that is attached at sorcery speed. While it might not benefit from the flexibility of instant speed, the quick boost in power and advantageous keywords upon resolution can turn the tables during your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the downsides of Fists of the Demigod is its necessity to be paired with a creature to be effective. Without a creature on the battlefield, this enchantment lacks utility, potentially clogging your hand when you’re in need of other types of spells or facing an empty board.
Specific Mana Cost: Fists of the Demigod requires both black and red mana, making it a less flexible choice for decks that don’t consistently produce both types of mana. For players running multicolor decks that aren’t heavily focused on black and red, incorporating this card could pose a significant challenge in mana management.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not exorbitant in its mana demand, the cost to cast Fists of the Demigod might be a turnoff for some players, especially when considering other buffs or creature enhancements available at lower mana costs. This makes Fists of the Demigod a heavier investment, competing for valuable mana resources against other formidable spells in your arsenal.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fists of the Demigod can be easily integrated into multicolor decks, particularly those that align with its red and black mana requirements. It enhances creatures by providing both offensive and defensive boosts, making it a solid choice for a variety of strategies.
Combo Potential: This enchantment synergizes well with creatures that have abilities activated upon dealing damage or receiving damage, leveraging its power and toughness enhancements to trigger powerful effects and dominate the board.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to increase a creature’s survival and damage output, Fists of the Demigod can be particularly impactful in aggressive meta environments where board presence and creature endurance are crucial.
How to beat
Fists of the Demigod is a unique aura from the Shadowmoor set that significantly boosts the abilities of multicolored creatures. When you’re facing this enchantment, the key is to disrupt the synergy it creates. Removing the Fists of the Demigod-enhanced creature from the battlefield is a direct way to neutralize the threat. Utilize spot removal spells that can target creatures, regardless of their color, or spells that can bypass the added protection from Fists of the Demigod, like those that don’t target or those that say “destroy all creatures.”
Another effective strategy is to employ enchantment removal. Since Fists of the Demigod is an aura, spells or abilities that can destroy or exile enchantments can immediately negate its effect, leaving your opponent at a sudden disadvantage. In addition, countermagic can be a preemptive resolution to the problem, preventing Fists of the Demigod from ever attaching to a creature. Control decks often have access to these spells, thus maintaining a balance on the battlefield.
Considering the strategies above, overcoming the enhancements provided by Fists of the Demigod involves a combination of preparation and responsive tactics. By employing the right spells at the opportune moments, you can ensure that this powerful aura doesn’t lead to your downfall.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fists of the Demigod MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Fists of the Demigod 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fists of the Demigod has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fists of the Demigod card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-05-01 | If the enchanted creature is both of the listed colors, it will get both bonuses. |