Xathrid Demon MTG Card
2009-07-17 - Number 122
2014-11-07 - Number 170
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Demon |
| Abilities | Flying,Trample |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Key Takeaways
- Xathrid Demon grants control with a creature removal effect during upkeep, impacting opponent strategies early.
- Demands creature sacrifices, potentially lethal if unable or ill-equipped to satisfy the requirement continuously.
- Offers valuable deck synergy, particularly with token generators and sacrifice-based strategies.
Text of card
Flying, trample At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a creature other than Xathrid Demon, then each opponent loses life equal to the sacrificed creature's power. If you can't sacrifice a creature, tap Xathrid Demon and you lose 7 life.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Xathrid Demon provides an edge by letting you potentially eliminate a creature each turn, maintaining board control while whittling down your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: As a powerhouse at six mana with flying and trample, this demon can swiftly tilt the game tempo in your favor upon entering the battlefield, especially when combined with token generators that serve as sacrifice fodder.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Xathrid Demon’s effect is triggered during your upkeep, which can disrupt your opponent’s strategy before they draw, acting somewhat akin to the benefits of instant speed interactions in the game’s progression.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Xathrid Demon comes with a hefty price beyond its mana cost. When it enters the battlefield or attacks, you must sacrifice another creature. If you can’t, you will lose the game, which can be detrimental if you’re short on creatures or facing a strategy that quickly depletes your board.
Specific Mana Cost: The specific mana cost for Xathrid Demon is somewhat restrictive, demanding three black mana. This requirement makes it less flexible and can challenge deck-building for players who want to run multiple colors or lack sufficient mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three generic and three black mana, Xathrid Demon is relatively expensive. For this mana investment, players might expect an immediate game-changing impact. However, without the right setup, this creature’s abilities might not provide the best value compared to other options in the high-mana slots.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Xathrid Demon offers a unique blend of power and sacrifice mechanics that can seamlessly integrate into various black-themed or demon-centric decks. Its ability to fit multiple roles—from finisher to enabler—makes it a valuable asset for collections.
Combo Potential: When used in combination with cards that generate tokens or recurring creatures, Xathrid Demon becomes an engine for controlling the board while amassing a substantial lead in life totals or leveraging sacrifice synergies for advantageous effects.
Meta-Relevance: Given its considerable size and the ability to dictate creature trades, Xathrid Demon has the potential to shake up matches that are creature-heavy or where controlling the board state is of high importance. Its relevance can shift with the meta, keeping it a dynamic contender for deck inclusion.
How to beat
Xathrid Demon is a formidable force in the world of Magic: The Gathering, providing players with an imposing flying creature that can truly sway the direction of a match. This creature stands out with its high power level and the ability to dominate the battlefield if left unchecked. To tackle such a threat, it’s essential to have a strategy that can adapt to its daunting sacrifice ability which bolsters its strength.
The key to overcoming Xathrid Demon lies in targeted removal spells or abilities that can bypass its defenses. Spells such as Path to Exile or Murder are efficient ways to remove it from the field before its sacrifice mechanic can cause irreparable damage to your game plan. Alternatively, countering the demon when it’s cast with spells such as Mana Leak ensures it won’t have the chance to impact the board.
A well-timed use of exile or bounce effects, through cards like Oblivion Ring or Unsummon, can also provide a temporary solution, hindering your opponent’s momentum. Effective management of the board and readiness with answers in your deck are your best defenses against Xathrid Demon. Keep control, and this colossal demon can be dispatched before its darkness envelops the game.
Cards like Xathrid Demon
Xathrid Demon is a powerful force in the realm of black creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable card echoes the traits of other notable demons such as Lord of the Pit. Like its predecessor, Xathrid Demon demands a tribute in the form of creature sacrifices to avoid dealing substantial damage to its controller. Where it sets itself apart is its ability to pilot strategies that benefit from creature deaths, rewarding you with the power to decimate your opponent’s life total.
Another cousin in darkness is Archfiend of Depravity, a demon with a different approach. While it doesn’t impact life totals directly or demand regular sacrifices, it restricts opponents to only two creatures during their end step, which could be a subtle yet effective way to manage the battlefield. Ob Nixilis, Unshackled, shares the sacrifice theme but punishes opponents for searching their library, illustrating the diverse strategies that demonic cards adopt within the game.
Every demon offers distinctive advantages within the MTG landscape. Xathrid Demon boasts an aggressive presence with potential for life decimation, standing out in its synergy with sacrifice-centered strategies, making it a formidable choice for players who embrace the intricacies of black mana plays.
Cards similar to Xathrid Demon by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Xathrid Demon MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Commander 2014, 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 Xathrid Demon 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
Printings
The Xathrid Demon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2014-11-07. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 122 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds | |
| 2 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 170 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Xathrid Demon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xathrid Demon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | If you have two Xathrid Demons, both abilities will trigger at the beginning of your upkeep. When the first Demon’s ability resolves, you can sacrifice the second Demon to satisfy the requirement (“Sacrifice a creature other than Xathrid Demon” really means “Sacrifice a creature other than this creature”). When the second Demon’s ability resolves, you must sacrifice another creature. If you can’t (because the first Demon has somehow left the battlefield and you control no other creatures), you lose 7 life, regardless of whether the second Demon is still on the battlefield at this time. |
| 2009-10-01 | When the ability resolves, if you control any other creatures, you must sacrifice one of them. You lose life only if no creature can be sacrificed. |
