Demonic Rising MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Avacyn Restored
Set code	AVR
Number	94
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Trevor Claxton

Key Takeaways

Generates a powerful 5/5 Demon token each turn, enhancing creature advantage without additional mana.
Restricts players to one creature, necessitating careful play to optimize its powerful effect.
Suitable for control decks, Demonic Rising can shift the tide in your favor if conditions are met.

Text of card

At the beginning of your end step, if you control exactly one creature, put a 5/5 black Demon creature token with flying onto the battlefield.

Which is the greater folly, summoning the demon or expecting gratitude from it?

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Demonic Rising gives players an edge by providing a consistent mechanism to generate creature advantage each turn, as long as you meet the card’s one-creature condition. This can equate to a steady flow of formidable 5/5 black Demon creature tokens which can overwhelm opponents over time, particularly in longer matches where grinding out value becomes vital.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing mana resources, the card enhances board presence without requiring additional mana investment after it’s played. This frees up resources for other strategic plays, letting you maintain or even accelerate your position on the battlefield without further tapping into your mana pool.

Instant Speed: Although Demonic Rising itself isn’t an instant, it triggers at the beginning of your end step, offering a pseudo-instant speed advantage. This timing allows you to maneuver around your opponent’s plays, only needing to meet the card’s requirement at the end of your turn. This strategic component forces opponents to consider their removal and creature control options carefully, under the looming threat of a new Demon emerging each round.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Demonic Rising necessitates having exactly one creature on the battlefield, which can impose strategic restrictions. This requirement might force a player to alter their gameplay, limiting the potential of their board state.

Specific Mana Cost: Demonic Rising features a dedicated black mana cost which narrows its integration exclusively to black or multicolored decks, potentially excluding it from a broad array of deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of 3BB, Demonic Rising sits at a higher curve, potentially making it a slow option in more aggressive or tempo-driven matches where early board presence and low-cost plays are crucial.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Demonic Rising is a unique enchantment that excels in decks built around having exactly one creature. It’s a perfect fit for any black-based control deck that aims to dominate with powerful single threats.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that regulate creature count, Demonic Rising allows you to consistently generate 5/5 black Demon creature tokens every turn. This can be an engine for sacrifice-based strategies or to simply overwhelm the opponent.

Meta-Relevance: Given that many players in the current meta favor creature-heavy strategies, Demonic Rising can give you an edge by providing a recurring threat that must be answered each turn, making it a valuable asset against the popular decks of the format.

How to beat

Demonic Rising is an enchantment card that can present challenges for players due to its ability to create a powerful 5/5 black Demon creature token with flying at the end of your turn, should you control exactly one creature. To overcome this threat in a game, one strategy is to maintain creature removal spells in your arsenal. Cards like Path to Exile, Doom Blade, or Wrath of God can effectively change the creature count, preventing the condition of the enchantment from being met.

Another effective approach is to use enchantment removal spells or abilities that can dispatch Demonic Rising directly from the battlefield. Naturalize, Disenchant, or more versatile options such as Oblivion Ring offer a way to circumvent the creation of Demon tokens entirely. Additionally, playing around the card by either diversifying your board with multiple creatures or by going creature-less for a while can stifle your opponent’s plans and give you an edge.

Tackling Demonic Rising requires forethought and an adaptable game plan. Selecting the right mix of removal and control elements can help ensure that the demonic tide does not turn against you.

Cards like Demonic Rising

Demonic Rising is a unique enchantment in MTG that shines in decks built around maintaining a singular, powerful creature. It stands alongside cards like Luminarch Ascension, which similarly rewards players for meeting particular conditions with angel tokens. However, Demonic Rising requires the player to control exactly one creature at the end of their turn, providing a steady stream of formidable 5/5 black Demon creature tokens, unlike Luminarch Ascension which focuses on not losing life to generate tokens.

When it comes to card comparisons, Bitterblossom springs to mind. Both enchantments create tokens, but Bitterblossom does so at the price of life points, offering a less conditional approach and generating 1/1 Faerie tokens with flying each turn. Conversely, Demonic Rising’s conditions are stricter, yet yield more powerful effects. It also parallels to Underworld Connections, which provides a draw mechanic instead of token creation but requires a tap and life payment to engage its benefit.

Analyzing these cards, Demonic Rising presents a potent option for players who can reliably orchestrate the board state to meet its activation conditions. Within the realm of black enchantments and token generators, it holds a specific niche that, when leveraged properly, can be incredibly rewarding and game-changing.

Underworld Connections - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Demonic Rising by color, type and mana cost

Curse of Death's Hold - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Demonic Rising MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Demonic Rising and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Demonic Rising has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Demonic Rising 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	Although you must control exactly one creature both when the ability would trigger and when it would resolve in order for the ability to create the Demon token, that creature doesn’t have to be the same one both times. For example, if the ability triggers, then you lose control of your one creature before it resolves, you can cast a creature with flash to make sure you control exactly one creature when the ability resolves.
2012-05-01	If you control zero creatures or more than one creature at the beginning of your end step, the ability won’t trigger. If you control zero creatures or more than one creature when the ability resolves, it will do nothing.