Forge Devil MTG Card
2012-02-03 - Number 91
2014-07-18 - Number 140
2019-11-07 - Number 935
2020-07-17 - Number 322
2023-03-21 - Number 41
2020-09-26 - Number M15-140
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Devil |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Forge Devil enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to target creature and 1 damage to you.
Devils infiltrated the lower levels of Thraben Cathedral, making cracks in load-bearing pillars and setting fire to precious archives.
Cards like Forge Devil
Forge Devil stands out in the array of enter-the-battlefield effect creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It’s an intriguing comparison to similarly costed cards like Shock, a staple in dealing two damage to any target. Unlike Shock, Forge Devil’s damage is automatically dealt upon entering the battlefield, but comes with the drawback of also dealing one damage to its owner – a risky yet strategically useful trade-off.
In contrast, we have cards like Fanatical Firebrand, another low-cost creature with the ability to ping targets but with more control as it can choose when to deal its damage. Fanatical Firebrand offers player-driven timing, which can be crucial in tight gameplay scenarios versus the automatic trigger of Forge Devil. Then there is Footlight Fiend, it too operates on a similar concept of dealing one damage but upon death instead of entry, offering a lingering threat on the board.
Overall, while Forge Devil shares common ground with these cards in the deal-damage-quickly category, its balance of advantage and self-affliction places it in a unique spot. It’s a card that can potentially swing the early game in Magic: The Gathering by providing a crucial ping combined with a creature on the board.
Cards similar to Forge Devil by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Forge Devil doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, it does offer the possibility of removing an opponent’s creature upon entry, potentially ridding you of a threat and maintaining parity on the board.
Resource Acceleration: Forge Devil isn’t a traditional source of resource acceleration. However, its low cost can lead to an advantageous state where you utilize your mana efficiently in the early game, allowing you to deploy more threats or answers.
Instant Speed: Although Forge Devil is a creature and not cast at instant speed, its enter-the-battlefield effect triggers immediately, akin to an instant, offering you a timely response to early-game creatures your opponent controls.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Forge Devil is that it doesn’t require a discard, which might lead some players to overlook synergy with decks that capitalize on self-discard mechanisms. A missed opportunity for decks focusing on graveyard strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Forge Devil is specific to red, making it less flexible for decks that are not heavily red or those that do not run mana fixing utilities to accommodate single-color cards.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Forge Devil’s mana cost is only one red mana, for its enter-the-battlefield effect, dealing one damage to a creature and one to itself, it’s somewhat overpriced. In an environment filled with low-cost creatures that offer more impact without self-inflicted harm, its cost-effectiveness is questionable.
Reasons to Include Forge Devil in Your Collection
Versatility: Forge Devil shines in decks that capitalize on dealing damage upon creature entry. This can be particularly useful in red aggressive strategies or those that aim to control the board early in the game.
Combo Potential: The card synergizes well with effects that trigger upon dealing damage or when another creature dies, making it a useful cog in an intricate combo machine.
Meta-Relevance: Given a meta where utility creatures and mana dorks are prevalent, Forge Devil serves as an early play that can disrupt your opponent’s board development, keeping the pace in your favor.
How to beat
Forge Devil is an intriguing creature card that brings a direct damage ability to the battlefield in MTG. Upon casting, this little devil deals one damage to a target creature and another to you, which can make it a double-edged sword. While its ability to ping creatures right when it hits the field is handy, its own single toughness makes it susceptible to easy removal, and as such, it can be overcome without much hassle.
Counteracting Forge Devil’s impact can be as simple as having creatures with more than one toughness, which negates its initial damage. Furthermore, since it also deals damage to its controller upon entering the battlefield, life gain strategies can easily offset the toll taken on your life total. Additionally, instant-speed removal spells can dispose of the devil before it can pair with other cards or effects that might capitalize on the damage dealt. Strategically, holding back on playing weaker creatures until Forge Devil is dealt with can minimize its potential impact on your side of the field.
Ultimately, with its fragile nature and self-inflicted damage, Forge Devil poses a minor threat that can be swiftly managed in the scope of the MTG universe.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Forge Devil MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Magic 2015, 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 Forge Devil 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Forge Devil Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Austin Hsu.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 91 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 2 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 140 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 935 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 4 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 322 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | M15-140 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | ||
| 6 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows of the Past | SIS | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Forge Devil has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Forge Devil card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-07-18 | Forge Devil’s ability is mandatory. If it’s the only creature on the battlefield, you’ll have to choose it as the target and have it deal 1 damage to itself and 1 damage to you. |