Frontline Devastator MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 93
2019-11-07 - Number 939
2020-09-26 - Number HOU-93
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Minotaur Warrior |
| Abilities | Afflict |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Afflict mechanic ensures steady damage output, boosting aggressive MTG playstyles.
- Four mana cost and specific mana needs may limit deck integration flexibility.
- Offers potent combo potential and resilient pressure in creature-centric metagames.
Text of card
Afflict 2 (Whenever this creature becomes blocked, defending player loses 2 life.) : Frontline Devastator gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
The God-Pharaoh's benevolence concealed the factory he created to produce an army of Eternals.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Frontline Devastator encourages aggressive gameplay with the added benefit of an energy-efficient ‘Afflict’ mechanic, which can ensure you’re always edging out in damage, potentially leading to an advantage over the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: With its four mana cost and substantial presence on the battlefield, the card synergizes well with mechanics that reward you with ramping capabilities or cost reductions, contributing to your resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the Devastator can benefit from various instant speed spells and abilities within your strategy, supporting swift reactions to threats and enhancing your field position during your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Frontline Devastator necessitates that players discard a card to activate its Afflict ability. This can prove detrimental during gameplay when your hand is already depleted, potentially forcing tough decisions or hindering your strategic momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires both generic and red mana, Frontline Devastator’s placement into a deck is slightly restrictive. It demands a commitment to red mana sources, which can be less than ideal for multicolored or color-flexible strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at four mana to deploy, Frontline Devastator’s impact on the board is overshadowed by other creatures in the same cost bracket. Players may find that for the same investment, other options could present more immediate threats or valuable effects in the battle for victory.
Reasons to Include Frontline Devastator in Your Collection
Versatility: Frontline Devastator offers a flexible role in decks that capitalize on aggressive strategies. With the ability to act as both a four-power attacker and a mana sink for its afflict ability, it suits various red deck builds.
Combo Potential: The afflict mechanic of the Frontline Devastator adds a layer of inevitability against opponents. It can be an integral part of a deck that punishes blocking and utilizes damage triggers, making it a fearsome combo piece in the right setup.
Meta-Relevance: For players facing a creature-heavy battlefield, the Devastator’s ability to deal damage to an opponent even when blocked makes it relevant. It thrives in environments where ensuring consistent damage output is key to whittling down an adversary’s life total.
How to beat
Frontline Devastator is a formidable force in the battlefield, a creature that players need to be prepared to face. With an imposing presence and the Afflict 2 ability, it can be difficult to block without taking some damage. To counteract the Devastator, a strategic mix of removal spells, well-timed blocks, and possibly bigger creatures to overpower it would be advantageous.
Efficient removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can effectively deal with the Devastator before it becomes too much of a threat. A precise strategy might involve waiting for the right moment to play these spells, possibly when your opponent is tapped out to minimize their chances to counteract. Additionally, employing creatures with reach or those with enough toughness to survive a strike from the Devastator could also help stem the tide of damage coming your way.
Moreover, utilizing instant-speed tricks to surprise an opponent during combat or using board wipes to reset the battlefield can be key in maintaining control. Remember, while Frontline Devastator is surely a threat, a well-prepared deck with multiple answers will often find a way to prevail over a single card, no matter how strong it might seem.
Cards like Frontline Devastator
Exploring the realm of aggressive creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Frontline Devastator stands as a notable example with its Afflict ability, causing opponents to lose life even when blocking. It finds company in other aggressive red creatures like Ahn-Crop Crasher, which can also impact the battlefield by preventing blockers from engaging. However, the Devastator’s edge comes from its built-in ability to boost its own power through the firebreathing effect, increasing its damage output potentially each turn.
In addition, there’s Makindi Sliderunner, which shares the red creature commonality but focuses on landfall to increase its power instead. The Devastator is less dependent on land draws and offers more consistent pressure on the opponent. Alternatively, Keldon Marauders enters the field with an immediate impact, dealing damage upon arrival and departure, suited for an extremely aggressive, fast-paced strategy. Though not as enduring as the Devastator, Marauders can be a suitable option for a quick damage output.
Within its niche, Frontline Devastator serves as a durable choice for MTG enthusiasts, providing consistent pressure and flexible power adjustment, making it a solid inclusion in decks designed to keep the opponent on their heels.
Cards similar to Frontline Devastator by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Frontline Devastator MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Mystery Booster, 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 Frontline Devastator 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
Printings
The Frontline Devastator Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Tommy Arnold.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 93 | 2015 | normal | black | Tommy Arnold | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 939 | 2015 | normal | black | Tommy Arnold | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | HOU-93 | 2015 | normal | black | Tommy Arnold |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Frontline Devastator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Frontline Devastator card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-07-14 | Afflict causes the defending player to lose life; it’s not damage or combat damage. |
| 2017-07-14 | Afflict resolves before combat damage is dealt. If this loss of life brings a player to 0 life or less, that player loses the game immediately. A blocking creature with lifelink won’t deal combat damage in time to save that player. |
| 2017-07-14 | If a creature is attacking a planeswalker, that planeswalker’s controller is the defending player. |
| 2017-07-14 | If multiple creatures block a creature with afflict, afflict triggers only once. |
