Infernal Denizen MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Demon |
| Released | 1995-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ice Age |
| Set code | ICE |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 7 |
| Number | 136 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Drew Tucker |
Key Takeaways
- Infernal Denizen delivers card advantage by commandeering an opponent’s creature each turn.
- It accelerates resources, allowing immediate use of the hijacked creature for various tactical gains.
- The ability to sacrifice creatures at instant speed grants superior battlefield adaptability.
Text of card
During your upkeep, sacrifice two swamps. If you cannot, tap Infernal Denizen, and target opponent may gain control of target creature of his or her choice you control. The opponent loses control of that creature if Infernal Denizen leaves play. oc T: Gain control of target creature. Lose control of that creature if Infernal Denizen leaves play.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Infernal Denizen allows you to exert control over the battlefield by offering the ability to essentially ‘borrow’ an opponent’s creature each turn. This not only adds to your resources but potentially depletes theirs, tipping the scales in your favor as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: With Infernal Denizen, you gain the flexibility to exploit the taken creature immediately, whether as an attacker, defender, or for other effects. This acceleration of your resources can be pivotal in overtaking your opponent in both tempo and options.
Instant Speed: One of Infernal Denizen’s most strategic characteristics is its capacity to sacrifice a creature at instant speed. This function can disrupt opponent’s strategies during their turn, allowing you to adapt to changing game states and maintain dominance on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To activate Infernal Denizen’s ability to gain control of an opponent’s creature, you are obliged to discard a card, a significant disadvantage when your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: With its demand for both black mana and a substantial amount of general mana, Infernal Denizen’s cost structure may not align well with more versatile or faster-paced decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at eight mana to cast, there are more cost-effective creatures available that might provide similar control effects or offensive pressure without such a steep investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Infernal Denizen offers a unique ability to control opponents’ creatures, which can be slotted into various deck archetypes that aim to disrupt or utilize enemy cards.
Combo Potential: This card excels when paired with sacrifice effects or abilities that benefit from owning your opponent’s creatures, setting up powerful plays and unexpected board states.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based decks are prevalent, Infernal Denizen becomes a strategic asset, weakening an opponent’s battlefield presence while bolstering your own.
How to beat
Infernal Denizen may seem like a formidable creature in the MTG universe. As a unique card, it demands respect on the battlefield with its ability to take control of opponent’s creatures as long as it remains in play. However, this doesn’t mean it’s unbeatable. A fundamental strategy against cards like Infernal Denizen involves removing it from the playing field; this can be achieved through various removal spells or abilities that specifically target creatures, such as Path to Exile or Murder.
A key tactic is to minimize the card’s impact by selectively determining which creatures are put into play. Having fewer creatures, or ones with less utility to your opponent, can limit Infernal Denizen’s controlling effects. Additionally, spells that grant your creatures hexproof or shroud can prevent Infernal Denizen from targeting them, keeping your side of the board safe from hostile takeovers.
Another approach is to focus on speed. Deploying a swift, aggressive deck can outpace a card like Infernal Denizen, which requires a substantial mana investment and setup. Quick strikes and continued pressure can often lead to victory before Infernal Denizen even becomes a significant problem. Understand its weaknesses, prepare your removal spells, and keep pressure high to ensure that Infernal Denizen’s stay on the board is a short one.
Cards like Infernal Denizen
In the realm of unique creatures within Magic: The Gathering, Infernal Denizen is a card that often piques the curiosity of players. It’s a behemoth from the Ice Age set that not only devours opponent’s creatures but also offers the rare ability to control them at the cost of a black mana during your upkeep. Comparatively, a creature such as Empress Galina doesn’t destroy, but outright takes control of legend creatures, offering a distinction in the type of control utilized.
Looking at other cards, Sower of Temptation from the Lorwyn set allows players to gain control of a target creature for as long as you control Sower of Temptation itself. It doesn’t require an investment each turn, but it lacks the brutal force and the destroy mechanic that Infernal Denizen wields. Then there’s Control Magic, a classic card that gives you control of a target creature for as long as Control Magic remains on the battlefield. It’s not a creature itself, which both limits interactions but also avoids certain removal that targets creatures specifically.
Overall, while there are numerous cards offering control over enemy forces, Infernal Denizen remains a niche card with its blend of creature destruction and temporary control, suited for decks that capitalize on both of these effects.
Cards similar to Infernal Denizen by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Infernal Denizen MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Infernal Denizen and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Infernal Denizen has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Infernal Denizen card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You must sacrifice the Swamps if you can. You can’t choose not to pay if you have them. |
| 2004-10-04 | You should always have one creature for your opponent to take (i.e. the Denizen). If by chance you have no creature for your opponent to take, then they don’t get one. Remember that taking a creature is optional so your opponent is not forced to take the Denizen. |
