Vexing Devil MTG Card

Avacyn Restored (AVR)
2012-05-04 - Number 164

Ultimate Masters (UMA)
2018-12-07 - Number 154

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Devil
Power	4
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Vexing Devil forces difficult decisions, trading life points for preventing creature advantages.
It provides exceptional resource acceleration, offering potential high damage very early.
The card’s immediate impact mimics instant threats, adding early game pressure.

Text of card

When Vexing Devil enters the battlefield, any opponent may have it deal 4 damage to him or her. If a player does, sacrifice Vexing Devil.

It's not any fun until someone loses an eye.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While not directly providing additional card draw, Vexing Devil offers a unique choice to opponents that can indirectly lead to card advantage. If they choose to take the damage to prevent you from having a 4/3 creature, you essentially traded one card for four points of life, an efficient trade-off in aggressive strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Costing a single red mana, Vexing Devil accelerates your damage output potential significantly. In terms of mana investment versus damage output, this card stands out by potentially delivering four damage as early as turn one, giving it an exceptional acceleration in terms of resource to damage ratio.

Instant Speed: Although Vexing Devil does not operate at instant speed, its immediate impact when played mimics the pressure usually exerted by instant speed threats. This forces opponents to make difficult decisions early in the game, disrupting their own plans to deal with a potential 4/3 beater or accept a sizeable life reduction.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Vexing Devil card is its “you may” clause, which hands control over to your opponent. They decide whether to let you have a 4/3 creature for a single red mana or to take 4 damage. This choice often means you won’t get the most out of the card if your opponent’s decision is more favorable to their game plan than yours.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Vexing Devil, you require a specific mana setup—a single red mana. In multicolored decks or those with a demanding mana base, having the right type of mana exactly when you need it can sometimes be challenging, potentially limiting the versatility and timing of playing the card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a single red mana for a 4/3 creature seems like a bargain, players might find the mana cost steep when considering the trade-offs. Since the opponent can take 4 damage to prevent it from entering the battlefield, you may end up paying for a simple Lava Spike effect, which can be a high cost for what sometimes ends in minimal board impact.

Reasons to Include Vexing Devil in Your Collection

Versatility: Vexing Devil offers a unique choice to players, fitting seamlessly into aggressive red burn decks while also presenting an interesting option for decks that revolve around creature-based synergies or blink mechanics to maximize its enter-the-battlefield effect.

Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that capitalize on sacrificing creatures for value or those that can resurrect it for additional uses, making it a repeatable source of damage in the right deck.

Meta-Relevance: As a one-drop that can potentially deal four damage to an opponent or become a 4/3 creature, Vexing Devil maintains relevance in metas that favor quick, decisive plays or force early game high-impact decisions.

How to beat

Vexing Devil presents an interesting challenge in Magic: The Gathering due to its unique ability offering opponents a difficult choice. Upon casting, players face the dilemma of taking four damage or allowing you to keep a 4/3 creature on the board for a single mana. When facing down this devilish card, successful strategies often hinge on assessing the current board state and life totals.

One effective approach is to have a removal spell ready. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can swiftly deal with Vexing Devil after it lands on the battlefield, negating the difficult initial choice. Alternatively, if your life total is high, considering taking the four damage could be wise, preventing the creature from becoming a recurring threat, especially when you’re setting up for a controlled board sweep.

Strategically, building a game plan that includes life gain, creature control, and damage mitigation can circumnavigate the pressure Vexing Devil aims to create. It’s a balance of risks and rewards, understanding that sometimes taking a hit upfront can lead to a more stable position as the game progresses. Being prepared with a response to this red-aligned creature can nullify its impact and keep you ahead in the game.

Cards like Vexing Devil

Vexing Devil has carved out a unique niche among creatures within Magic: The Gathering, most notably for giving opponents a devious choice. Seeing parallels with the card Goblin Guide, both offer a substantial amount of damage for a low mana cost. Yet, Vexing Devil comes with the additional upside of potentially dealing 4 damage for just one mana. However, Goblin Guide guarantees immediate board presence and can repeatedly deal damage if not dealt with.

Another card worthy of comparison is Eidolon of the Great Revel. Both creatures exert pressure in the early game, but Eidolon of the Great Revel affects the longer game with its ability to punish players for casting low-cost spells. On the flip side, Vexing Devil’s impact is instantaneous, either as a sizeable early threat or as immediate damage. Sparks fly when comparing it to Spark Elemental as well, as both offer a burst of damage for a single red mana. However, Vexing Devil holds the potential to stay on board if the opponent declines its offer, unlike the ephemeral nature of Spark Elemental.

Assessing Vexing Devil against these similar cards, it stands out for its versatility and potential for immediate, high damage, making it a powerful choice in decks looking to close out games quickly.

Eidolon of the Great Revel - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vexing Devil by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vexing Devil MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Ultimate Masters, 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 Vexing Devil and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vexing Devil Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Lucas Graciano.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2012-05-04	Avacyn Restored	AVR		164	2003	Normal	Black	Lucas Graciano
2	2018-12-07	Ultimate Masters	UMA		154	2015	Normal	Black	Lucas Graciano

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vexing Devil has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vexing Devil card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2012-05-01	If a player chooses to have Vexing Devil deal 4 damage to them, but some or all of that damage is prevented or redirected, Vexing Devil will still be sacrificed.
2018-12-07	As Vexing Devil’s ability resolves, the next opponent in turn order (or, if it’s an opponent’s turn, that opponent) chooses whether to be dealt 4 damage, then each other opponent in turn order does the same. If any of them do, you sacrifice Vexing Devil.
2018-12-07	No player may take actions between the time an opponent chooses to be dealt damage by Vexing Devil and the time you sacrifice Vexing Devil. This means that you can’t use a spell or ability (such as Turn to Mist) to stop Vexing Devil from being sacrificed if a player chooses to be dealt damage.