Devil's Play MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeSorcery
Abilities Flashback

Key Takeaways

  1. Flashback grants Devil’s Play repeat value, effectively serving dual purposes in one game.
  2. Scalable damage aligns with mana growth, positioning it as a game-long threat.
  3. Instant speed post-Flashback enhances strategy, impacting games at pivotal moments.

Text of card

Devil's Play deals X damage to any target. Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

A devil's hands are never idle.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Casting Devil’s Play from your graveyard through its Flashback ability can give you a serious edge by essentially doubling the utility you get from a single card. This dual utility can tip the scales in your favor, whether you’re aiming for board control or the final blow.

Resource Acceleration: This flexible card can adjust to your available resources, allowing you to maximize your mana at every stage of the game. Its scalability means it can accelerate your damage output as your mana pool grows, making it a threat that scales with the game’s progression.

Instant Speed: While Devil’s Play itself is a sorcery, its inherently flexible nature means you can tailor your strategy dynamically, unleashing it when your opponent least expects it or when it can have the maximum impact, particularly post-combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn following a Flashback from the graveyard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not requiring an actual discard, Devil’s Play has a flashback mechanic which essentially serves as discarding it from the graveyard for a secondary use. This means that its reuse is strictly a one-time deal, potentially limiting its versatility when planning long-term strategies in a game.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell locks players into a specific mana investment – exclusively red. This can challenge deckbuilding flexibility, making it difficult to include in multi-color decks that might not generate enough red mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its starting cost of a single red plus three other mana and a flashback cost that increases significantly, Devil’s Play can be a costly investment. Players may find cards with lower mana costs or those that offer additional effects or flexibility to be more efficient choices in a fast-paced or mana-tight game scenario.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Devil’s Play offers a flexible damage solution, capable of being a targeted removal for troublesome creatures or a direct game-ending blow to an opponent. Its flexibility makes it a fit for various red-themed decks, particularly those needing a scalable damage spell.

Combo Potential: With the flashback mechanic, this card synergizes well in strategies aiming to utilize the graveyard. Combine it with spells that allow you to shuffle your graveyard back into your library, and you can potentially use Devil’s Play multiple times throughout the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that may swing between creature-heavy boards and control-oriented playstyles, Devil’s Play can adapt—providing the tool to either clear a path for your creatures or finish off an opponent behind a wall of counter-spells.


How to beat

Devil’s Play is a flexible burn spell in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to target creatures, players, or even planeswalkers. Its versatility, combined with the flashback mechanic, allows it to be a persistent threat from both the hand and graveyard. However, this card can be outmaneuvered. One effective strategy is to utilize counter spells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto which are specifically suited to handle noncreature spells like Devil’s Play.

Another approach is gaining life, which can put you out of reach of its direct damage. Cards like Sphinx’s Revelation can offer a critical lifeline against burn strategies, ensuring that your life total stays out of dangerous zones. In addition to that, redirect effects or spells like Swerve can turn the tables, possibly even using the opponent’s Devil’s Play to your advantage. Finally, permanents with damage prevention abilities or indestructible can nullify the effect of Devil’s Play when targeting creatures, preserving your board presence.

Overcoming a card like Devil’s Play requires a proactive approach to control the pace and flow of the game, ensuring that its potential impact is mitigated or used in your favor. Understanding the nature of your opponent’s threats allows for strategic planning and secures the upper hand in match-ups involving this fiery spell.


BurnMana Recommendations

Devil’s Play brings fiery versatility to any MTG player’s arsenal. Whether aiming to swiftly eliminate creatures or deliver a decisive blow to opponents, this card’s scalability and potential for reuse through Flashback make it a formidable tool in your red spell repertoire. If you’re keen on deepening your strategic options and exploring advanced gameplay maneuvers, consider adding Devil’s Play to your collection. Its ability to adapt and strike when needed can turn the tides of battle in your favor. Enhance your MTG experience and discover the depth of tactics available—learn more and refine your deck with this dynamic burn spell.


Cards like Devil's Play

Devil’s Play brings a burst of damage to any target in MTG, falling into the category of versatile burn spells. In comparison, Fireball serves as a notable relative, sharing the ability to allocate damage across multiple targets or concentrate on a single one. However, Devil’s Play offers a unique flashback ability, allowing players a second chance to unleash a fiery demise on their opponents, which Fireball lacks.

Another kindred spell is Banefire. It also delivers damage that can’t be prevented if enough mana is invested into it. While Devil’s Play has the advantage of being cast twice if needed, Banefire becomes uncounterable, guaranteeing its effect if the mana cost is met. Lastly, Comet Storm presents itself as a competitor with its multitarget flexibility and instant casting speed. Although pricier in terms of mana cost compared to Devil’s Play, its potential for various targets can be a deciding factor in play.

Evaluating the nuances of each card, Devil’s Play has its place in MTG as a flexible and reusable source of damage, illustrating its distinct strategic advantage in direct damage spell options.

Fireball - MTG Card versions
Banefire - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Fireball - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Banefire - Conflux (CON)
Comet Storm - Worldwake Promos (PWWK)

Cards similar to Devil's Play by color, type and mana cost

Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Fireball - MTG Card versions
Disintegrate - MTG Card versions
Goblin Grenade - MTG Card versions
Mana Clash - MTG Card versions
Winds of Change - MTG Card versions
Detonate - MTG Card versions
Meteor Shower - MTG Card versions
Tremor - MTG Card versions
Seething Anger - MTG Card versions
Blaze - MTG Card versions
Gamble - MTG Card versions
Meltdown - MTG Card versions
Landslide - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Fire - MTG Card versions
Tahngarth's Glare - MTG Card versions
Lava Burst - MTG Card versions
Overmaster - MTG Card versions
Firebolt - MTG Card versions
Mishra's Command - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - Tales of Middle-earth Commander (LTC)
Fireball - The List (PLST)
Disintegrate - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Goblin Grenade - The List (PLST)
Mana Clash - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Winds of Change - Masters Edition (ME1)
Detonate - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Meteor Shower - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Tremor - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Seething Anger - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Blaze - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Gamble - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Meltdown - Urza's Saga (USG)
Landslide - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Ghitu Fire - Invasion (INV)
Tahngarth's Glare - Apocalypse (APC)
Lava Burst - Deckmasters (DKM)
Overmaster - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Firebolt - The List (PLST)
Mishra's Command - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Devil's Play MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad Promos, 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 Devil's Play and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Devil's Play Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-09-24 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 428682003normalblackRaymond Swanland
22011-09-24Innistrad PromosPISD 1402003normalblackRaymond Swanland
32011-09-30InnistradISD 1402003normalblackAustin Hsu
42013-03-15Duel Decks: Sorin vs. TibaltDDK 722003normalblackAustin Hsu
52019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1382015normalblackAustin Hsu
62023-03-21Shadows of the PastSIS 392015normalblackAustin Hsu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Devil's Play has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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