Lord of the Pit MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 114
1993-10-04 - Number 115
1993-12-01 - Number 115
1993-12-10 - Number 115
1993-12-10 - Number 115
1994-04-01 - Number 116
1994-04-01 - Number 116
1994-06-21 - Number 116
1995-04-01 - Number 144
1995-04-01 - Number 144
1997-03-24 - Number 174
2007-07-13 - Number 154★
2007-07-13 - Number 154
2009-04-10 - Number 30
2014-12-05 - Number 30
2017-11-17 - Number 96
2022-11-28 - Number 111
2022-11-28 - Number 408
2019-12-02 - Number 715
| Card sets | Released in 19 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Demon |
| Abilities | Flying,Trample |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Text of card
Flying, trample You must sacrifice one of your own creatures during upkeep or Lord of the Pit does 7 damage to you. You may still attack with Lord of the Pit even if you failed to sacrifice a creature.
Cards like Lord of the Pit
Lord of the Pit holds a notorious place in Magic: The Gathering as a formidable demon creature. Its kin, such as Abyssal Persecutor, share the thematic trait of high risk and reward. Abyssal Persecutor boasts immense power for less mana but carries the drawback of preventing your victory while it’s on the field. Lord of the Pit, in contrast, demands a tribute in the form of a creature sacrificed each turn, at the cost of steep life penalties if the demand is unmet.
Desecration Demon is another creature that echoes the imposing presence of Lord of the Pit. It provides players a strategic choice to sacrifice creatures, momentarily grounding the Demon but boosting its strength each time they do. While Desecration Demon allows opponents to steer its ability, Lord of the Pit offers no such latitude, merely punishing the controller for any lapse in devotion.
Considering their demonic might, all these cards can be game-enders in their own right. However, the original menace of Lord of the Pit stands out with both its archetypal flavor and challenging gameplay, continuing to captivate MTG players who relish commanding such dark and powerful forces on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Lord of the Pit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lord of the Pit provides a dominant board presence that can pressure opponents and deter attacks. Its massive power and toughness make it a card that can often command a game on its own, leading to indirect card advantage as it demands multiple resources from opponents to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: While the Lord of the Pit itself doesn’t directly provide mana or resource acceleration, it motivates players to build decks that synergize with demon tribal themes or include additional means of creature generation to satisfy its upkeep cost, which can lead to setups that produce extra mana or tokens.
Instant Speed: Despite being a creature, Lord of the Pit’s influence on the game can be felt instantly once it’s in play. Its immediate ability to swing in as a formidable flying threat during each combat phase forces an immediate response, making it a persistently pressing issue for opponents to address in a manner reminiscent of instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Lord of the Pit demands a consistent sacrifice of creatures, seeing as you need to feed it one during each of your upkeep phases. Failure to meet this requirement chips away at your life points, dealing a punishing seven damage each time you can’t satisfy its appetite. This can put you in a tight spot, particularly when you’re short on creatures to sacrifice.
Specific Mana Cost: The iconic demon requires a hefty payment of three black mana and four generic mana to summon it to the battlefield. This particular mana composition can strain your deck, especially if you’re running a multi-colored deck or if your mana sources are limited, potentially delaying your ability to play the card when you need it most.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of seven mana to bring Lord of the Pit into play is steep compared to other creatures. In a game where efficiency can make or break you, there are other creatures and spells that offer powerful effects with less investment, freeing up mana for other strategic plays.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Despite its specific mana requirements, Lord of the Pit offers a powerful force on the battlefield that can fit into black-centered decks or those that emphasize sacrifice strategies, offering both a formidable presence and an avenue for indirect damage to opponents.
Combo Potential: When paired with token generators or creatures that benefit from being sacrificed, Lord of the Pit becomes a keystone in a high-stakes synergy, leveraging its sacrifice demand to activate other cards’ abilities or to fulfill the conditions for various black spells and effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where large, intimidating creatures can dominate and end games quickly, having Lord of the Pit in your arsenal offers a way to outmatch or even intimidate opponents with its sheer power and game-swinging potential each turn.
How to Beat
Lord of the Pit is an iconic and powerful creature that has been a part of Magic: The Gathering lore since its inception. Commanding the board with its massive power and toughness, this creature can seem overwhelming, but there are strategies to turn the tide in your favor. One effective method is using removal spells that can directly target this fearsome demon. Spells like Doom Blade, Path to Exile, or Murder can dispatch Lord of the Pit before it wreaks havoc on your life total.
Another approach is to take advantage of the upkeep sacrifice needed to keep Lord of the Pit on the field. Employing creature tokens or cheap creatures you’re willing to lose can be an efficient way to meet the demon’s demands without losing valuable assets. Alternatively, you could use enchantments like Pacifism to neutralize Lord of the Pit, preventing it from attacking or blocking without the need to remove it entirely.
Lastly, remember that Lord of the Pit is a valuable target for control magic spells. Gaining control of this creature not only removes the threat from your opponent but also gives you a dominant presence on the board. With careful planning and the right cards, this mighty demon can be defeated.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lord of the Pit MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Lord of the Pit 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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Printings
The Lord of the Pit Magic the Gathering card was released in 17 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 114 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 115 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 115 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 115 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 115 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 116 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 116 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 116 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 144 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 144 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 174 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 12 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 154★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Sutfin | |
| 13 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 154 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Sutfin | |
| 14 | 2009-04-10 | Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic | DDC | 30 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 15 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic | DVD | 30 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 16 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 96 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 17 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 715 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Wizard of Barge | ||
| 18 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 111 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 19 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 408 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lord of the Pit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lord of the Pit card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-11-17 | If Lord of the Pit has gained lifelink, being dealt 7 damage by it doesn’t cause your life total to change, even though you gain and lose life. If your life total is less than 7, you won’t lose the game. |
| 2017-11-17 | If you control any other creatures as Lord of the Pit’s triggered ability resolves, you must sacrifice one. You can’t choose to be dealt 7 damage instead. |
| 2017-11-17 | If you have two Lords of the Pit, you can sacrifice them to each other. |