Riot Devils MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Devil |
| Released | 2011-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Innistrad |
| Set code | ISD |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 160 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Svetlin Velinov |
Key Takeaways
- Riot Devils offers solid board presence and indirect card advantage by necessitating opponent’s resources.
- Flexible play is enabled by its mana cost, which can complement instant-speed strategies.
- Despite its simplicity, it may not align with all deck strategies due to mana and playability considerations.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Riot Devils may not directly offer card draw, it provides a decent body on the field for its mana cost. With its ability to pressure your opponent, it indirectly supports card advantage by forcing your adversary to deal with it, potentially using more resources than you invested.
Resource Acceleration: Riot Devils is a cost-effective creature that aligns well with aggressive red strategies. Its presence on the board can help accelerate your game plan by maintaining pressure and enabling attacks that can disrupt your opponent’s resource management.
Instant Speed: Though Riot Devils itself is a creature and not an instant, its three mana cost makes it a flexible play. You can develop your board presence with this creature and still keep mana open for actual instant-speed interactions in your deck, which will allow for versatile play patterns and strategic depth during your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Riot Devils may not present a discard condition, but its playability can suffer in deck strategies favoring hand retention over aggressive creature deployment.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Riot Devils demands both red and generic mana, necessitating a commitment to red mana sources which may not synergize with more diverse or color-flexible strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Riot Devils competes with various cards in the same mana range that could offer more impactful effects or stats, potentially leaving it outclassed in optimized deck lists.
Reasons to Include Riot Devils in Your Collection
Versatility: Riot Devils shines in decks that thrive on aggressive strategies. Its simple casting cost makes it a straightforward choice for any red-inclusive deck, particularly those needing a solid creature in the three-mana slot.
Combo Potential: This creature can synergize with cards that capitalize on the Devils tribal theme or benefits from having numerous creatures on the battlefield, such as those that amplify attack or trigger abilities upon creature casting or death.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the shifting landscape of the game, Riot Devils can serve as a valuable sideboard card against decks that are susceptible to early damage pressure, as it presents a respectable challenge for opponents to deal with early on.
How to beat
Riot Devils may not be the most formidable creature in the MTG universe, but it can present a nuisance if not addressed early in the game. The card is known for its ability to sneak through defenses thanks to its flying trait. To effectively counter this pesky deviant, direct removal spells are highly effective. Consider Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push, which excel in dealing with creatures of this size and are a staple in many decks for just this reason.
Another strategy is to deploy creatures with reach or those that have the ability to block flying creatures, such as Giant Spider or Spiraling Serpent. These not only serve as a physical barrier against Riot Devils and similar threats but also remain on the board to deter future airborne attacks. By maintaining control of the skies, you can minimize the impact of Riot Devils and other creatures with evasion abilities.
Ultimately, staying proactive and using efficient removal options will ensure the Riot Devils don’t turn the tide against you. With the right balance of defense and removal understanding that even smaller threats can be significant, keeping the Riot Devils at bay should be a manageable task for any seasoned MTG player.
Cards like Riot Devils
Riot Devils is a creature card that brings a straightforward aggressive strategy to the red color deck in Magic: The Gathering. When considering its peers, the Skirsdag Cultist comes to mind, which shares a similar mana cost and power. While Riot Devils offers relentless offense, Skirsdag Cultist provides an additional ability allowing you to sacrifice a creature to deal damage, thereby offering flexible tactics during play.
Ashmouth Hound is another card worth comparing. It boasts a lower casting cost and a specialized ability that deals additional damage to blockers, enhancing its defensive capability beyond the Riot Devils’ simple attack approach. Conversely, Embodiment of Fury is a comparable red creature with both a land transformation ability and trample, presenting a different angle of attack and board control.
Each of these cards brings unique advantages to a red deck, but the Riot Devils stand out for their rudimentary aggressive role suitable for straightforward beatdown strategies. The simplicity of their design means minimal requirements for synergistic play, allowing players to focus on dealing quick damage to the opponent.
Cards similar to Riot Devils by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Riot Devils MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Riot Devils 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 MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Riot Devils has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |