ALSO COMBOS WITH Heartless summoning for a 5/5 with flying with a sometimes dangerous drawback....but then again .....for a 5/5 for B B .so what ? You might not beable to attack with it ,but your opponent is bugged to death with it , unless they are running a swarm , undying or token deck , they will be kicking them selves in the @ss when they activate the ability.
2BB for 6/6 flying is quite powerful, and the tapping is hardly a problem, given black never lack ways to remove creatures and even if the Demon is tapped it gets bigger. Against control deck, Ritual this out on turn 1 or 2 is devastating.
A card that has pretty good value, but sadly has a hard time hitting through :/
ThouMad
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(9 votes)
What's that? Wanna lock it down with tokens / Gravecrawler?
Oh I'm sorry, did I just Fling it at you for 7+ damage?
Lotsofpoopy
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(6 votes)
Like most demons, this one is very good. His drawback is really more of a bonus than a drawback anyway considering that for it to even be a drawback an opponent must sac and give it a counter. Pros like me can do some serious damage with this.
Merlin117
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
A) You kill at exact time i lay it down. You have probably used a card to do that. 1 for 1, fair enuf (majority of time win in my eyes)
B) You sacrifice even a single creature (excluding multiple token cards like lingering souls) then i have dealt with one of your cards, it gets bigger and is still on the field. We can do this again next turn as well. WIN
C) You don't/cant sacrifice to stop it. I deal 6 points of damage. WIN
D They could counter it and id be happy, 1 less counter to deal with late game (win)
Drawback to the card? Only a drawback if you put it into a "normal" deck. Is a bonus otherwise.
this seems wayyyyyy too strong. the 1/1 counters make it broken... get 4 while they're relatively cheap and legal.
clan_iraq
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.7/5.0)(6 votes)
Its worse than Juzam Djinn, which would already be pretty bad in 2012. The flying does almost absolutely nothing here, the drawback renders it moot and much, much more- its effectively a vanilla beater who can do nothing but attack and block, but with extreme anti-evasion on the attack and almost no blocking potential at all. This card is significantly worse than a 6/6 vanilla for 2BB, which is nothing to write home about. It is much worse than the Abyssal Persecutor or Phyrexian Obliterator we just saw, neither of which could find a home.
This is actually one of the worst rares in the set, on par in practical usage with Mass of Ghouls and barely a better draw in limited at that, but the ease people have in overvaluing him makes him great fodder for trades, no? The 5/5 ratings speak to that
DragonsRCool
★★☆☆☆ (2.1/5.0)(4 votes)
I love strong demons with a flavorful drawback. Delicious.
Totema
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I look forward to rendering this useless with my token deck, courtesy of Selesnya.
Dabok
★★☆☆☆ (2.1/5.0)(6 votes)
This creature's too good for me to like it. I like good cards, but this is just too powerful that I just can't put myself to like it.
StreamHopper
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(17 votes)
I'm just loving all the people who can't recognize a good card when they see one.
"Nope. Not good. Drawback hurts it."
I feel like people are just in denial about how horribly overpowered this is. I want to believe that it's a big internet joke (like Storm Crow), but it's not. People really believe that this is a bad card.
rollinsclone
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(9 votes)
Drawback? Where do you see a drawback?
Vandarringa
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Incredible card. A deck built around this would be weak to tokens, but black has very good ways of dealing with tokens (Mutilate, Cower in Fear). It might also be weak to aggro, since they can deactivate him as a blocker, but they're not likely to overrun you with one less creature. This card will win all sorts of limited games, and it will see play in Standard.
pedrodyl
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's good, especially if your deck has something to do with sacrificing stuff.
YellowWalker
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Wait wait, people are saying this card is bad? I don't even...
RAV0004
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(2 votes)
No really people, it's terrible. Throw away all your copies. Please. I don't ever want to see him on your side of the table, ever. I uh, I'll feel bad for you. yeah, that's why.
Gcrudaplaneswalker
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is a great Demon, with not much as a drawback. 6/6 Flying for 4 is a great deal. Token decks would probably be his main problem.
accsavious
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Its 6 to the face or activate morbid... both options hurt.
4.5/5 for being a 4cmc stress engine.
g00dness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Combo with Disciple of Bolas. Oh, you'll tap him down with your infinite gravecrawler recursion? OK, once on your turn after i cast him so he can't block and once before my next combat? I'll settle for 8 life and 8 cards on turn 5.
DarthParallax
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(3 votes)
This guy is not Abyssal Persecutor #2. Persecutor was good for being FAST, and this guy won't be fast, because they will be willing to sacrifice to keep him at bay, because everyone can make tokens when they want to- we have Planeswalkers if you aren't playing with Populate.
He's Reaper from the Abyss #2. These two Demons together will kill a LOT of creatures. You want to look at this card, and see that it has the power of putting pressure on your opponent, and RATHER than think 'ok, cool, pressure'- you want to INCREASE that pressure as MUCH as possible.
1 level of pressure is nothing, it might scare them but it won't kill them. They'll pay with their creatures' blood to keep their blood safe All. Day. Long. You equalize until one of you gets more draw than the other, or plays something more than 1-for-1 ing. This is not a bad strategy though, since you can make your deck designed to break equilibrium first.
2 layers of pressure is an engine. It puts them in a bad place with few good choices. This guy alone, I don't care about. This guy with Reaper, I get worried that I can't make creatures enough to keep your TWO demons off my back. Got to sack a dude to tap one, and STILL need a blocker for the other? Who is axing anyone that dares get summoned on my side as soon as I sack to Desecration Demon? Harsh. Very Harsh.
3 layers of pressure is cruelty. Bloodgift Demon is an on-curve option that lets me draw cards- which, by the way, is the ONLY thing I want/need to do once I've got my first line set up with Desecration Demon.
18 Creatures 4x Deathrite Shaman 4x Desecration Demon 4x Bloodgift Demon 4x Reaper from the Abyss 2x Griselbrand
16 Spells 4x Dreadbore 4x Abrupt Decay 4x Rakdos's Return 4x Bonfire of the Damned
Augustin_V
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
He is extremely good-- his downside is not nearly as much of an issue as you might think, and moreover, the +1/+1 counter is far more relevant than it might appear at first blush. Without the +1/+1 counter, its at least viable for your opponent to stall by saccing little creatures before eventually dropping something huge that can block this guy. But the steady accumulation of +1/+1 counters makes that almost impossible. This creature comes out pretty early and positively demands removal, which is a sure sign of a good card.
GruesomeGoo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is crazy in Limited. Every turn the situation just gets worse for your opponent. "Do I take 6 to the dome or do I lose a creature AND risk taking even more damage next turn?" I always loved the "pick your poison" mechanic in Black, and this card is a nice addition to the mechanic.
Toquinha1977
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I pulled one of these during prerelease, and of course, I happen to go up against 3 different Selesnia decks.
"As a spell or ability an opponent controls resolves, if it would force you to sacrifice a permanent, you just don't. That part of the effect does nothing. If that spell or ability gives you the option to sacrifice a permanent (as Brain Gorger's ability does), you can't take that option."
I thought I was right and the judge and opponent wrong, but what can you do?
wicked_pick
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(2 votes)
This is just a nightmare against my Modern Sligh RDW..
After I've blown my creatures to pieces (to deal quick damages of course - mogg fanatic, ember hauler, etc), then HE comes in..
In my thoughts, "NFW! How can I kill this guy with one shot?" The answer is I can't.. I'm screwed..
That's why I decided to put in "Traitors Instinct/Grab the Reins" at the side.. Don't bother killing it or sacrificing creatures, just snatch it and Fling your way to victory! haha!
At least my opponent is already down to 6 or somethin' so only a few more burn spells and I win. Wutwut!
nopemx6
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
We're all going to be sick of playing this card/seeing this card on the other side of the table by the time Gatecrash comes out. Red players especially have a hard time removing this thing. I hate it. 4/5 because it's good. Too good.
@DaShiznit: From Sigarda's Oracle rulings: 5/1/2012 You may sacrifice a permanent as a special action, even if the effect that allows you to do so comes from an opponent's permanent (such as Damping Engine or Volrath's Curse). No one controls special actions.
alphagprime
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(4 votes)
This guy RUINS red because he's simply too big to deal with outside of a Fireball effect.
So... To make this card effective, I need to sure my opponent has few if any creatures on the board. What a pity this card isn't in a color with large amounts of effective single and multiple target removal.
Oh wait, it is.
Yeah, outside of token decks, the drawback isn't much of a drawback. And against token decks, you're playing black. Killing tokens is not a hard think to do in black.
Radagast
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(12 votes)
Um, wow. Sure, if they can keep an infinite supply of creatures to sac at the ready, he's not that bad (until somebody Fling's him, untaps him, etc.) Of course, having that many creatures lying around to eat without consequences is not common, so this thing will probably just smash face in a few turns as something stupidly huge for the casting cost.
Sure, it does to removal, but it's so fast and huge, who cares?
RJStCroix
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
i made a G/B Golgari themed deck with this guy and Jarad and when both are on the table it makes the decision to sac a guy and tap him even less fun.
Atali
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
It can be compared to cards like The Abyss and Kuon's Essence, except entirely one-sided, plus if they are unable or choose not to feed him, you get the chance to attack with him. Bare minimum, he's a relatively inexpensive lightning rod, at best he's almost a Plague Wind for 4 that comes with 6+ damage built-in.
For those of you saying there is no drawback. Would you rather have this or simply a 6/6 vanilla flier for 4? The ability is a drawback, but an extremely flavourful and balanced one. Great card overall. 4.5/5
BenL
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Got a question. If Im controlling more than one desecration demon, how many demons get tapped if my opponent sacrifice a creature? Is it one creature = tapping one demon or one creature tapping all the demons? Thanks.
tlud27
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Would this be considered an activated ability? Namely, could I block it out with Pithing Needle? Or is this a triggered ability (it doesn't have the "cost:effect" format)
amielzki
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I give this card 5 stars, 4 mana for a 6/6 flying body? tap ability isnt really a drawback if you're using UB control decks with tragic slip or unsummon. two of these on board is killing spree.
wholelottalove
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5.0)(1 vote)
How is this a bad card? All you need is an untap engine and you got a flying 6/6 for four mana that your opponents can make bigger.
I repeat, HOW IS THIS BAD? Are the new players for this game so dense that they see what the opponent can do as a drawback? This card will be broken in any format outside of standard.
infinimyr
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@A.Minor I'd rather have this and constantly feed on my opponent's creatures.
but that's just me I suppose.
ThinkOriginal
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@BenL If, for example, you had two Desecration Demons in play, at the beginning of each combat step, each Demon's ability would activate separately. In order for your opponent to tap both of them, they would have to sacrifice two creatures; one after the other, rather than at the same time.
@tlud27 No, Desecration Demon's ability is a triggered ability. It triggers at the beginning of each combat step, so Pithing Needle would have no effect on the Demon.
Love this guy. Look at it this way: For four mana, you get a big ol' 6/6 flyer. Then, he either swings big or acts as a repeated source of removal, not to mention the constant growing threat of +1/+1 counters. If he's not dealt with in a couple of turns, he can take a game over for you. Especially with Corpsejack Menace out, where your opponent's sacrifice/allow-the-attack decisions are really magnified.
IN FACT, Desecration Demon and Rakdos, Lord of Riots are the only 4 cmc 6/6 or more creatures in Standard. And I hardly consider either of their abilities to be real 'drawbacks.' Like I said, Desecration Demon's ability is a boon; for Rakdos - he's half red! Damage should be easy to come by. Both are crazy powerhouses.
Wurmcaller
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Pulled one of these, super excited to put it in my Jarad Token Sac deck. Even if he doesn't successfully swing, he forces opponents to clear their battlefields more. And if your opponent doesn't have an answer for him by the time they run out of creatures to sac, they don't have very many options.
MANABURNWASGOOD
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
4 mana for a 6/6 flyer is good in of itself.
The ability, isn't a drawback, unless you happen to be against a token generator type of thing that has junk to sack to it...i'm seriously on the fence about adding this into my mono black EDH.
sylvis
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(9 votes)
He looks a bit like he's shaking his fist at someone.
"YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!"
LordRandomness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I would like to point out that the sacrifice trigger happens exactly once at the start of combat. If you untap him in some artificial manner afterwards (but before you declare attackers), I believe he can still swing.
Villainous1
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(4 votes)
The upside of this card is that it's a 6/6 with flying for 4 CMC.
The downside of this card is that the opponents can stave it off for a turn by voluntarily sacrificing one of their creatures to make it more powerful. PERMANENTLY.
I can't be sure whether people actually think this isn't an amazing card or if they're just giving it bad ratings because it's such a stupidly overpowered card and they don't want anyone using it. It's mindboggling that this is rated comparably to Seraph of Dawn and Serra Angel.
In the absolute worst case scenario, your opponent will get rid of it with Path to Exile or Doom Blade, but then they'll have one less removal spell to deal with the Phyrexian Obliterator that you're going to play next turn. Oh wait, that's a *** card too because it dies to removal.
OceanicSphinx
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
"I won't rant about Hamlet quotes fallen king, I'm too busy chewing your recently living subjects."
The art on this card is great, and the mechanic functions great with discard. When they run out of creatures, he's too strong to deal with.
Volvor
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(10 votes)
Am i the only one who paired him with that green card that untaps and gives +2+2? Savage Surge
Sironos
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Oh this is what a demon should be, powerful and cheap, yet unruly and hard to control. After all this time trying to make decks where I keep a steady supply of creatures to feed my demons so they don't kill me, I love this, it's like an opposite demon, where the opponent has to feed it, in order to avoid getting killed. A 6/6 flier vanilla for 4CMC I would never play, so boring, I hate vanilla. This card is a masterpiece of design, it is so black, it's beyond black, as it forces your opponent to say "no please, mister demon, don't kill me, why don't you eat my troops instead?" Watching noneblack players sacrificing their own creatures to a demon to avoid their own death, I cannot wait to play this, I'm really glad they've started making standard playable demons with more interesting "drawbacks". It's like this guy just screams that chaos spacemarine berserker sentence "WHERE IS THE BLOOD I WAS PROMISED?"
Daeran
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
It's just me or... the card says "any opponent", and then "if A PLAYER does"... So if I have it in play and want to sacrifice one of MY creatures to make it more powerful... maybe someone forced my demon to attack and I don't want to... you know, I'm a player, so "if a player does" means that even if the controller sacrifices a creature, the demon taps. I'm the only one around here who sees this?
JaxsonBateman
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I love how the 'drawback' to this guy being a 6/6 flier for 4 is effectively repeatable removal and permanent pump. Sure, if you get matched up against some sort of token deck and can't keep their swarming in check they can effectively nullify your creature, but against most decks it's more upside than downside.
Zetan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I love the flavor here. "We must make a blood sacrifice to the demon to keep it at bay!" Of course, why do you think he wants all those sacrifices? Because they make him stronger!
Of course, his downside is only an upside when your opponent makes the wrong choice; this is the case with any downside that gives your opponent a choice.
Crap, this is so evil. In mono-black control, his drawback helps you to control your opponent even more.
But it's a beautiful card. Beginners might see it as a bad rare because of his "drawback", but more experienced player might be able to take advantage of it.
CJM2
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@ike38
No, this guy's ability is a triggered ability and not an activated ability. Opponents can still sac creatures to tap him down even if you are using Angel of Jubilation.
sonorhC
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(1 vote)
@Daeran, you don't get the option to sacrifice a creature for this (you can't sacrifice things just because you feel like it). You could sacrifice something some other way, but that wouldn't trigger the effect on this guy.
And to everyone, the ability on this is definitely a drawback, since your opponents have a choice. If the sacrifices will hurt them, they can just not do it. But if it'll help them (maybe they have plenty of creatures and only need a few more turns), they can choose to take advantage of it.
That said, though, it's not all that bad a drawback, since it'll seldom be relevant.
chrome_dome
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
4/5. A bomb in both limited and constructed.
strider24seven
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Ike38 There is nothing stopping you. In reference to the question I believe you are asking (snarkiness aside), there is absolutely no interaction between Angel of Jubilation and Desecration Demon, barring any interference from other cards, of course. The Angel stops players from paying life or sacrificing creatures to cast spells or activate abilities. The Demon has a triggered ability that goes on the stack at the beginning of combat.
Activated =\= Triggered. If you do not know the difference, activated abilities have the format: (Cost: Effect)
Trollking21
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
People who are saying this card is ungodly good are idiots yes it's technically a 6/6 flyer for 4 but in practice there's no where he's really great either he'll eat a few lingering souls why your opponents stabilizes or the Aggro player will sac gravecrawler and hit you for lethal In aggressive decks you falkenrath aristocrat which is better (it would take demon 3 turns on the field to deal the same amount of damage) And in control decks you don't want none flash creatures that don't give you value when they die. The only use I've ever seen him is as fling/ essence harvest/ disciple of bolas fodder I like his design as a card but I don't think he's competitive worthy in any deck just due to the prevalence of both lingering souls and decks that are fat enough they don't care
Sooo good! If you can drop him early and whittle their creatures down with other removal then he's a beast. Great if you have a couple Skirsdag High Priests out too.
They sack a dork, you Burst and attack with an even bigger 8/8.
MightySqueeth
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Ok so this card is fantastic. You either get a 6/6 flier for 4 or you get a repeated Diabolic Edict that if interrupted allows for massive damage. Unless your opponent is running tokens then nobody is usually going to sacrifice things to this and if they do then Illness in the Ranks, Mutilate and Killing Wave are all in colour.
If it really comes down to it, there's always Fling =)
igniteice
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Another 6/6 flyer for 4. That alone makes it worthy of play. Then it tacks on a pseudo-removal. If they don't sacrifice, they get smacked for six. If they do, you get a free pump on your flyer.
The downside to Desecration Demon is that it works on both player's turns. An opponent can sacrifice a creature to prevent it from attacking or blocking.
Hitting this with a sacrifice or a destroy effect is almost a necessity over damage effects -- aside from Deathtouch, when your opponent drops this, you probably won't have seven mana open to use a Devil's Play type card on it or an equally strong creature to survival it.
h8yuns
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Fact is that yes, it can be dealt with (JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER CARD IN THE GAME). It does have a drawback in that opponents can hold it off at the cost of a creature, and there are good ways to do this. But it remains that it's a 2BB 6/6 flyer. And he grows when he's sacrificed to, and his growth is at the expense of your opponent. So what if your opponent *might* have alot of token producing stuff. This is a 4th turn drop and it forces acknowledgement. And acknowledgement is expensive. Made a full on demon/devil deck with sac/morbid mechanics and it is absolutely brutal. And he fits right in. No fancy combos with this one. It's a work horse all by itself. Early threat, wings, potential removal and a small price tag. All while I'm working on bigger and badder mischief. People who don't see how great this card is just aren't using it right. Just cause you're not a fan of it doesn't make it bad. I don't like Jace, and I don't like mill decks. But I made one and put Jace in it, cause it's good stuff.
Drewskithelegend
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is one of my favorite cards from RTR. It's big, it's black, and the "drawback" is hardly that. He's a monster in limited, likely going to be an automatic 1st pick for most people. I have seen a lot of this card around my locals in constructed, which surprised me a bit. In terms of card strength he's probably going to have to be a 3.5/5, simply because of the numerous contingencies that he would have to play around. That being said, he gets a 4/5 for being interesting and flavorful.
GhostCounselor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is awesome, no matter what way you spin it. Four drop 6/6 flyer? Put it in an Orzhov deck (where he'll get out much quicker then a Deathpact Angel), combo it with the Vizkopa Guildmage, and reap the rewards. I've won many a game because someone sacked creatures to the point where they turned this into a 15/15 and then they were bombed for 15 after a life gain of 15. Also works well in Rakdos decks, where it will get out faster and and maximize Rakdos, Lord of Riots better then most other cards will, and will grow bigger then Rakdos himself.
The_AC
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(5 votes)
For most practical purposes, he's basically just
2BB 6/6
He's a flyer, but he can be "chump-blocked" by any non-flying creature in the game.
EvilDarkVoid
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I feel like running this with some Curse of the Cabal and any other cards with similar effects I can find. Make them constantly sacrifice stuff to slow them down while it doesn't really hinder your strategy to cast a couple of 4 cmc stuff that you can forget about, but can still wreck your opponent if they forget about them.
Captain_Sisay_2591
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(5 votes)
Easily one of the greatest cards I've ever seen... And I've been around. 5/5
Westertin
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So its sac. a creature and power him up but stop him for now or get a 6/6 up your ass
What in the name of holy crap made them think four mana was fair with this card?
001010011100101110
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Planeswalker: Attack, attack now!
Desecration Demon: Wait I'm eating... nom nom nom
patronofthesound
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The black geist of saint traft. Who even plays creatures in the metagame now? Its all three color jace and geist decks, occasionally someone running a guild and/or actual creature based strategies. Personally, I see this card as the climax of the power creep for creatures. How can they possibly get stronger without tearing the game in two? And at worst it reverts to an incredible control effect...really blown away, making me rethink my grey token onslaught (innistrad era standard)
5/5 for bestial repercussions to the unprepared. Like bloodgift demon in that sweet aspect of "if you dont deal with this right now, its over." Thinking of running them with olivia, reanimation and extra removal so he def hits...if that's what you even want, heheh.
Back him up with a skirsdag high priest or other morbid cards to capitalize on the trail of death that follows this guy.
Final thought--much more splashable and less grievous than obliterator on the roster of B midrange powerhouses
sweetgab
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I think this card is strong, but not overpowered. After the rotation he might see more play, due to Undying and Lingering Souls rotating. There will also be less four drops competing with him - right now there are Huntmaster, Aristocrat, and Olivia, all three are incredible cards which explain why Desecration Demon isn't played right now. But this is likely gonna change as they all rotate.
Btw, ALWAYS cast him during the second main phase. Say they have a Voice of Resurgence and you summon him before combat, they could sac Voice to Demon during your combat and get an Elemental token which can attack on their turn through your now tapped Demon. Big difference.
Ygredman
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Use burst of strength during the attacker step. He can still attack if he doesn't have summoning sickness. Then he gets a permanent +2 counters. Easy as pie.
SoddenPine
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(7 votes)
I like that this demon's drawback isn't, "Sacrifice small delicious things to me or I'll slap you!" but instead it's, "Mmmmmmm, well, I could beat the everloving snot out of that guy over there, but there's a juicy Saproling here I think I'll just gnawsh on for a bit..."
You've summoned him, but he's out of control (you only paid 4, after all) and you just have to wait for him to have nothing better to do before he'll do what you want. Great flavor, solid card, and twists the whole "demons have drawbacks" thing in a different direction. 4/5.
RAT666
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
How is this card not good? This card is not only good, but it is...great!!! A 6/6 flyer for 4 mana is great!!!!
It might appear to have drawbacks but the drawbacks are like say a high percentage on a savings account! The idea is your opponent will want to sacrifice a creature that is most likely smaller than Desecration demon (because it's likely your early in the game) to prevent "D" from dealing this load of damage. At the beginning of the combat phase if your opponent sacrifices a creature "D" becomes tapped which means he can't attack, he's tapped, so he get's a +1/+1 counter. If your opponent wants to stall the damage done to him or her then he or she will continue to sacrifice a creature preventing the damage but only inevitably pumping this guy up. Hypothetically, by turn 7 you can have a 9/9 (or more) Flyer out. The possibilities are unlimited especially if you can get it out even quicker with dark rituals or quick mana production. Get a Urza's incubator out turn 3 and you got two of these in your hand turn 4.
dhinge
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
I saw this turn 2 with a Dark Ritual and was like... a 6/6 flyer on turn 2?! Sure, I can nullify it by losing a creature each turn... but I'm playing a creature each turn until like turn 5! This totally stalls the opponent cheaply and quickly, and when they run out of creatures... you've got like a 10/10 flying at them. Unbelievable. I guess I just have to keep buying the new cards to compete anymore.
Hussalo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This guy + Corpsejack = Moar Pain! This guy + Corpsejack + Burst of Strength = Moar MOAR Pain!!!
RikRaccoon
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
In a duel, this card is often equivalent to:
Enchantment Your opponent sacs a creature every one of your turns. If they don't, 6 (or more) damage is dealt to them.
SirLibraryEater
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(5 votes)
Firstly, let me address the mana cost. Even with having to only pay 4 mana for this jerk, it has 2 mana symbols to boost devotion. Secondly, his stats. 6/6 for 4 is borderline broken no matter how you look at it, even without flying and everything else. Thirdly, his abilities. 4 mana for a flyer should get you a 3/3, 4/4 at best. 4 mana for a 6/6 is absolutely ridiculous. And the tapping at the beginning of combat is stupid to begin with. It's supposed to be a drawback, but combined with a bunch of removal, your opponent will want to hold on to what little creatures they have left. His ability is the exact opposite of a drawback. He would even still see play if it didn't give him counters. This card makes me want to punch someone in the deck.
RetroGamer3
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Just when Innistrad rotated out of standard this guy just blew up in price and blew up the game. Mono black kill deck first place.
Phelplan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Yes, the ability is something of a "drawback", but just barely. Does it balance out his colossal size on a flying body and permanent gain of +1/+1 counters? Not even close.
Pipikako
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Kinda useless in MP, but 1/1 is deadly... fix the art and i will play it :)
Trustey
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Turn three Nightveil Specter, turn four Desecration Demon, turn five Grey Merchant. Wizard couldn't have made black devotion any easier.
You old-school players will almost recognize this functional reprint of The Abyss, except that it is completely one-sided, hits all creatures, and has a 6/6 flying demon stapled onto it.
MagnusMtG
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
This is a good card. It's foolish to say otherwise. I've seen 4-ofs in Pro Tour decks (Top-8 finishers too). For mono-black devotion, Orzhov mid-range, Jund, Rakdos, . . . it has a place.
I remember the first time I saw this card. It was just after RTR had come out, so about two or three weeks after I started playing. Peeking its head out at me in the first pack of RTR I had ever bought was this big ol' demon. I instantly thought that this guy was amazing. I mean, a 6/6 flyer for just 4 mana? There was a 5/5 for 4 mana in the same set at the same rarity, and it didn't even have trample or hexproof or anything! However, a couple of friends tried to convince me that it was a terrible card. "They can just keep it tapped down and then kill it with Tragic Slip." "Desecration Demon is just huge Murder bait." Mind you, these were people who had been playing for as long as twelve years, so you would think I'd take them at their word. Instead, I put this into my mono-black deck alongside things like Vampire Nighthawk and Knight of Infamy, thinking that it would be a good finisher.
Every single time this thing hit the table, it was game over. No one could handle it. Sometimes it just went through for 6 or 12 damage and then ate a kill spell, but the damage was done. Sometimes they could keep it tapped down thanks to their smaller creatures, but when they ran out of creatures and couldn't find a kill spell, they were staring down a 10/10 — sometimes even bigger! In less than a month's time, I had gone from the guy who didn't know anything about Magic to the guy who beat everyone with a card that had been called useless. It doesn't matter what kind of "drawback" this thing has; a 6/6 flyer for 4 is crazy efficient, and it forces your opponent to make tough decisions, often resulting in them making mistakes.
deep_shadow
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The power/toughness on this creature is so arbitrarily high that it might as well just be 7/7 or 8/8 at the same cost, as your options for dealing with it would be no different, and you will lose just as quickly once it hits the board.
Edit: I made the comment above before anyone realized this creature was amazing in standard, and it was ranked a 0.5. I stand by this comment though. Find me a legitimate answer to this card at 4 mana that actually cares about whether this thing is 7/7 or 8/8.
blurrymadness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's funny how he went from fringe playable to must-have in standard. As a casual demon collector/player I made a good $35 off of my set. I imagine he'll eventually fall out of favor and I'll go get my set again.
As said by others, I still prefer my Percy; but I love all my 4-drop 6/6s; which include Grinning Demon :)
JuzamJohn
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Absolutely amazing! Should be a mythic rare. With Heartless Summoning you get a 5/5 on round 3, with flying, and it destroys all your opponent's critters. Don't see a bad side whatsoever. I must have.
Paleopaladin
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
WTF???? How is this only a flat 4.0? Someone is trolling gatherer.
Osprey_93
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Got this dude as a two of in my Golgari Midrange, funny enough unless I'm dropping him t3 with Elvish Mystic I'm usually pitching him with Lotleth Troll, and scavenging onto Reaper of the Wilds with the help of Varolz.
obesechicken13
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The fact this card isn't banned in standard makes me want to quit magic. I haven't been playing much but this card makes all the other monoblack 4 drops seem lackluster. Like the way to play if one of your top priorities is winning is to just get 4 of him in almost any black deck.
Wolftitan3
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
great with morbid
Lazrbeams
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's a good card, yes, but it's not broken. People don't even play it outside of standard. It's not broken, and it certainly shouldn't be banned. Silly.
LordOfTheFlies87
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
As often happens, all the naysayers were proven wrong. This guy dominates.
MagicForDummiez
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Have you been on the receiving end when your opponent summons a SECOND desecration demon? It's like the whole universe hates you and just punched you in your kidneys.
That's when your pacifism suddenly becomes your best friend and decides to topdeck itself.
docjarvisd09
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Guys, why is no one enchanting this guy with Dying wish? This forces the opponent to either leave him as strong as he is, or keep sacing things and hoping you dont have a way to kill him yourself. You could even play it after opp has saced a few things already.
reawkwian
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
selesnya charm, plummet usually pretty funny to play when some one plays this haha
Goatllama
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
"Aha! I needed a new crown!"
HubbCapp5
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This guy fits his color well: aggressive, with creature removal built-in.
That's what most people who don't think this card is good are missing. You have to have a mix of creatures and spells in your deck. This guy lets you split the difference. He'll be a creature when the board is clear and lay down massive strikes on your enemy, but in the mean time, he'll help you clear the board.
For those saying that Gravecrawler can lock this guy down, what deck are you playing? Beside Fling and Rite of Consumption (for those who want the Fling option, but want to keep it mono-black), even in a normal black deck, you shouldn't have a problem using a normal kill spell to remove whatever zombie they are using to keep re-casting Gravecrawler.
Now they can either sac their Gravecrawler, or still take the damage because he isn't flying and can't block.
And for those with token problems, Ratchet Bomb is your friend. While traditionally sideboard material, the Demon can be a key to winning, and if this helps enable him more often in game 1, a few copies in your mainboard isn't out of the question. Plus, if they are playing aggressive, popping it to wipe out 1-drops or 2-drops while leaving your 4-drop aggro untouched is amazing, leaving remaining enemy creatures to be sacrificed for a few turns or try to race you (neither scenario is good for your enemy).
For those looking for more advanced fun, if your opponent has only one dude left, there is always the option to edict them (bounce if you splash blue, bolt if you splash red, path if you splash white, fight if you splash green) at instant speed at beginning of combat while the trigger is on the stack, leaving them awkwardly open a turn before they were anticipating.
Personally, I would like to see this in a deck with things like Gravepact, all while exploiting your own sacrifice effects to help clear their side faster. A kicked Gatekeeper of Malakir turn 3 onto this guy on turn 4 sounds good. Especially if you can sac him later to Viscera Seer that you dropped turn one after you get Gravepact out. Bonus points if you popped that Ratchet Bomb to wipe out 1-drops and force them to sac more when Viscera Seer dies. Bonus Bonus points if you sacrifice any dudes (including the Seer) to Seer instead of letting them actually get destroyed for some extra scry bonuses.
Vursor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A solid 4/5
I like having a presence on the board that will linger, making my foes ever vigilant of the consequences.
Comments (116)
4.5/5
Oh I'm sorry, did I just Fling it at you for 7+ damage?
B) You sacrifice even a single creature (excluding multiple token cards like lingering souls) then i have dealt with one of your cards, it gets bigger and is still on the field. We can do this again next turn as well. WIN
C) You don't/cant sacrifice to stop it. I deal 6 points of damage. WIN
D They could counter it and id be happy, 1 less counter to deal with late game (win)
Drawback to the card? Only a drawback if you put it into a "normal" deck. Is a bonus otherwise.
This is actually one of the worst rares in the set, on par in practical usage with Mass of Ghouls and barely a better draw in limited at that, but the ease people have in overvaluing him makes him great fodder for trades, no? The 5/5 ratings speak to that
I like good cards, but this is just too powerful that I just can't put myself to like it.
"Nope. Not good. Drawback hurts it."
I feel like people are just in denial about how horribly overpowered this is. I want to believe that it's a big internet joke (like Storm Crow), but it's not. People really believe that this is a bad card.
4.5/5 for being a 4cmc stress engine.
He's Reaper from the Abyss #2. These two Demons together will kill a LOT of creatures. You want to look at this card, and see that it has the power of putting pressure on your opponent, and RATHER than think 'ok, cool, pressure'- you want to INCREASE that pressure as MUCH as possible.
1 level of pressure is nothing, it might scare them but it won't kill them. They'll pay with their creatures' blood to keep their blood safe All. Day. Long. You equalize until one of you gets more draw than the other, or plays something more than 1-for-1 ing. This is not a bad strategy though, since you can make your deck designed to break equilibrium first.
2 layers of pressure is an engine. It puts them in a bad place with few good choices. This guy alone, I don't care about. This guy with Reaper, I get worried that I can't make creatures enough to keep your TWO demons off my back. Got to sack a dude to tap one, and STILL need a blocker for the other? Who is axing anyone that dares get summoned on my side as soon as I sack to Desecration Demon? Harsh. Very Harsh.
3 layers of pressure is cruelty. Bloodgift Demon is an on-curve option that lets me draw cards- which, by the way, is the ONLY thing I want/need to do once I've got my first line set up with Desecration Demon.
Demonfire.dec
26 Lands
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Blood Crypt
4x Dragonskull Summit
4x Woodland Cemetery
10x Swamp
18 Creatures
4x Deathrite Shaman
4x Desecration Demon
4x Bloodgift Demon
4x Reaper from the Abyss
2x Griselbrand
16 Spells
4x Dreadbore
4x Abrupt Decay
4x Rakdos's Return
4x Bonfire of the Damned
I always loved the "pick your poison" mechanic in Black, and this card is a nice addition to the mechanic.
"As a spell or ability an opponent controls resolves, if it would force you to sacrifice a permanent, you just don't. That part of the effect does nothing. If that spell or ability gives you the option to sacrifice a permanent (as Brain Gorger's ability does), you can't take that option."
I thought I was right and the judge and opponent wrong, but what can you do?
After I've blown my creatures to pieces (to deal quick damages of course - mogg fanatic, ember hauler, etc), then HE comes in..
In my thoughts, "NFW! How can I kill this guy with one shot?" The answer is I can't.. I'm screwed..
That's why I decided to put in "Traitors Instinct/Grab the Reins" at the side.. Don't bother killing it or sacrificing creatures, just snatch it and Fling your way to victory! haha!
At least my opponent is already down to 6 or somethin' so only a few more burn spells and I win. Wutwut!
@DaShiznit: From Sigarda's Oracle rulings:
5/1/2012 You may sacrifice a permanent as a special action, even if the effect that allows you to do so comes from an opponent's permanent (such as Damping Engine or Volrath's Curse). No one controls special actions.
Another thought though: Blue has a lot of "twiddle/durdle" effects that let you untap things and counterspells. What if you built a U/B deck? Things like Mizzium Skin, Elgaud Shieldmate, and Negate to protect him from removal and things like Captain of the Mists, Galvanic Alchemist, and Ghostly Touch to untap him even if they sac a creature.
Oh wait, it is.
Yeah, outside of token decks, the drawback isn't much of a drawback. And against token decks, you're playing black. Killing tokens is not a hard think to do in black.
Sure, it does to removal, but it's so fast and huge, who cares?
Bare minimum, he's a relatively inexpensive lightning rod, at best he's almost a Plague Wind for 4 that comes with 6+ damage built-in.
I repeat, HOW IS THIS BAD? Are the new players for this game so dense that they see what the opponent can do as a drawback? This card will be broken in any format outside of standard.
but that's just me I suppose.
If, for example, you had two Desecration Demons in play, at the beginning of each combat step, each Demon's ability would activate separately. In order for your opponent to tap both of them, they would have to sacrifice two creatures; one after the other, rather than at the same time.
@tlud27
No, Desecration Demon's ability is a triggered ability. It triggers at the beginning of each combat step, so Pithing Needle would have no effect on the Demon.
Love this guy. Look at it this way: For four mana, you get a big ol' 6/6 flyer. Then, he either swings big or acts as a repeated source of removal, not to mention the constant growing threat of +1/+1 counters. If he's not dealt with in a couple of turns, he can take a game over for you. Especially with Corpsejack Menace out, where your opponent's sacrifice/allow-the-attack decisions are really magnified.
IN FACT, Desecration Demon and Rakdos, Lord of Riots are the only 4 cmc 6/6 or more creatures in Standard. And I hardly consider either of their abilities to be real 'drawbacks.' Like I said, Desecration Demon's ability is a boon; for Rakdos - he's half red! Damage should be easy to come by. Both are crazy powerhouses.
The ability, isn't a drawback, unless you happen to be against a token generator type of thing that has junk to sack to it...i'm seriously on the fence about adding this into my mono black EDH.
"YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!"
The downside of this card is that the opponents can stave it off for a turn by voluntarily sacrificing one of their creatures to make it more powerful. PERMANENTLY.
I... see. Hmm.
In the absolute worst case scenario, your opponent will get rid of it with Path to Exile or Doom Blade, but then they'll have one less removal spell to deal with the Phyrexian Obliterator that you're going to play next turn. Oh wait, that's a *** card too because it dies to removal.
The art on this card is great, and the mechanic functions great with discard. When they run out of creatures, he's too strong to deal with.
It's like this guy just screams that chaos spacemarine berserker sentence "WHERE IS THE BLOOD I WAS PROMISED?"
Of course, his downside is only an upside when your opponent makes the wrong choice; this is the case with any downside that gives your opponent a choice.
But it's a beautiful card. Beginners might see it as a bad rare because of his "drawback", but more experienced player might be able to take advantage of it.
No, this guy's ability is a triggered ability and not an activated ability. Opponents can still sac creatures to tap him down even if you are using Angel of Jubilation.
And to everyone, the ability on this is definitely a drawback, since your opponents have a choice. If the sacrifices will hurt them, they can just not do it. But if it'll help them (maybe they have plenty of creatures and only need a few more turns), they can choose to take advantage of it.
That said, though, it's not all that bad a drawback, since it'll seldom be relevant.
There is nothing stopping you.
In reference to the question I believe you are asking (snarkiness aside), there is absolutely no interaction between Angel of Jubilation and Desecration Demon, barring any interference from other cards, of course. The Angel stops players from paying life or sacrificing creatures to cast spells or activate abilities. The Demon has a triggered ability that goes on the stack at the beginning of combat.
Activated =\= Triggered.
If you do not know the difference, activated abilities have the format:
(Cost: Effect)
In aggressive decks you falkenrath aristocrat which is better (it would take demon 3 turns on the field to deal the same amount of damage)
And in control decks you don't want none flash creatures that don't give you value when they die.
The only use I've ever seen him is as fling/ essence harvest/ disciple of bolas fodder
I like his design as a card but I don't think he's competitive worthy in any deck just due to the prevalence of both lingering souls and decks that are fat enough they don't care
Heartless Summoning's in Standard.
A 2-cost 5/5 flyer (with a "drawback")...
They sack a dork, you Burst and attack with an even bigger 8/8.
If it really comes down to it, there's always Fling =)
The downside to Desecration Demon is that it works on both player's turns. An opponent can sacrifice a creature to prevent it from attacking or blocking.
Hitting this with a sacrifice or a destroy effect is almost a necessity over damage effects -- aside from Deathtouch, when your opponent drops this, you probably won't have seven mana open to use a Devil's Play type card on it or an equally strong creature to survival it.
2BB
6/6
He's a flyer, but he can be "chump-blocked" by any non-flying creature in the game.
Desecration Demon: Wait I'm eating... nom nom nom
5/5 for bestial repercussions to the unprepared. Like bloodgift demon in that sweet aspect of "if you dont deal with this right now, its over." Thinking of running them with olivia, reanimation and extra removal so he def hits...if that's what you even want, heheh.
Back him up with a skirsdag high priest or other morbid cards to capitalize on the trail of death that follows this guy.
Final thought--much more splashable and less grievous than obliterator on the roster of B midrange powerhouses
Btw, ALWAYS cast him during the second main phase. Say they have a Voice of Resurgence and you summon him before combat, they could sac Voice to Demon during your combat and get an Elemental token which can attack on their turn through your now tapped Demon. Big difference.
You've summoned him, but he's out of control (you only paid 4, after all) and you just have to wait for him to have nothing better to do before he'll do what you want. Great flavor, solid card, and twists the whole "demons have drawbacks" thing in a different direction. 4/5.
It might appear to have drawbacks but the drawbacks are like say a high percentage on a savings account! The idea is your opponent will want to sacrifice a creature that is most likely smaller than Desecration demon (because it's likely your early in the game) to prevent "D" from dealing this load of damage. At the beginning of the combat phase if your opponent sacrifices a creature "D" becomes tapped which means he can't attack, he's tapped, so he get's a +1/+1 counter. If your opponent wants to stall the damage done to him or her then he or she will continue to sacrifice a creature preventing the damage but only inevitably pumping this guy up.
Hypothetically, by turn 7 you can have a 9/9 (or more) Flyer out. The possibilities are unlimited especially if you can get it out even quicker with dark rituals or quick mana production.
Get a Urza's incubator out turn 3 and you got two of these in your hand turn 4.
This guy + Corpsejack + Burst of Strength = Moar MOAR Pain!!!
Enchantment
Your opponent sacs a creature every one of your turns. If they don't, 6 (or more) damage is dealt to them.
Secondly, his stats. 6/6 for 4 is borderline broken no matter how you look at it, even without flying and everything else.
Thirdly, his abilities. 4 mana for a flyer should get you a 3/3, 4/4 at best. 4 mana for a 6/6 is absolutely ridiculous. And the tapping at the beginning of combat is stupid to begin with. It's supposed to be a drawback, but combined with a bunch of removal, your opponent will want to hold on to what little creatures they have left. His ability is the exact opposite of a drawback. He would even still see play if it didn't give him counters.
This card makes me want to punch someone in the deck.
Mono black kill deck first place.
Consider a Jund unleash deck with Desecration Demon, Corpsejack Menace, and a bunch of cheap creatures with Unleash - maybe even Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch . . .
Opponent has plenty of creatures to sac? Burst of Strength: untap Demon - with another (or two more if Corpsejack..) counter - and swing regardless!
Opponent has a swarm of flying tokens to chump-block with? Got any red mana open? Um.. Anger of the Gods, overloaded Electrickery, etc. Gruul Charm or Windstorm wipes out flyers nicely. Rakdos Charm punishes token armies, . . .
Or there's always Skarrg Guildmage or a bloodrushed Ghor-Clan Rampager to trample over the chumps.
People who criticize a card because they imagine how an opponent could answer it have a limited imagination. Find answers to the answers!
Every single time this thing hit the table, it was game over. No one could handle it. Sometimes it just went through for 6 or 12 damage and then ate a kill spell, but the damage was done. Sometimes they could keep it tapped down thanks to their smaller creatures, but when they ran out of creatures and couldn't find a kill spell, they were staring down a 10/10 — sometimes even bigger! In less than a month's time, I had gone from the guy who didn't know anything about Magic to the guy who beat everyone with a card that had been called useless. It doesn't matter what kind of "drawback" this thing has; a 6/6 flyer for 4 is crazy efficient, and it forces your opponent to make tough decisions, often resulting in them making mistakes.
Edit: I made the comment above before anyone realized this creature was amazing in standard, and it was ranked a 0.5. I stand by this comment though. Find me a legitimate answer to this card at 4 mana that actually cares about whether this thing is 7/7 or 8/8.
As said by others, I still prefer my Percy; but I love all my 4-drop 6/6s; which include Grinning Demon :)
Silly.
That's when your pacifism suddenly becomes your best friend and decides to topdeck itself.
That's what most people who don't think this card is good are missing. You have to have a mix of creatures and spells in your deck. This guy lets you split the difference. He'll be a creature when the board is clear and lay down massive strikes on your enemy, but in the mean time, he'll help you clear the board.
For those saying that Gravecrawler can lock this guy down, what deck are you playing? Beside Fling and Rite of Consumption (for those who want the Fling option, but want to keep it mono-black), even in a normal black deck, you shouldn't have a problem using a normal kill spell to remove whatever zombie they are using to keep re-casting Gravecrawler.
Now they can either sac their Gravecrawler, or still take the damage because he isn't flying and can't block.
And for those with token problems, Ratchet Bomb is your friend. While traditionally sideboard material, the Demon can be a key to winning, and if this helps enable him more often in game 1, a few copies in your mainboard isn't out of the question. Plus, if they are playing aggressive, popping it to wipe out 1-drops or 2-drops while leaving your 4-drop aggro untouched is amazing, leaving remaining enemy creatures to be sacrificed for a few turns or try to race you (neither scenario is good for your enemy).
For those looking for more advanced fun, if your opponent has only one dude left, there is always the option to edict them (bounce if you splash blue, bolt if you splash red, path if you splash white, fight if you splash green) at instant speed at beginning of combat while the trigger is on the stack, leaving them awkwardly open a turn before they were anticipating.
Personally, I would like to see this in a deck with things like Gravepact, all while exploiting your own sacrifice effects to help clear their side faster. A kicked Gatekeeper of Malakir turn 3 onto this guy on turn 4 sounds good. Especially if you can sac him later to Viscera Seer that you dropped turn one after you get Gravepact out. Bonus points if you popped that Ratchet Bomb to wipe out 1-drops and force them to sac more when Viscera Seer dies. Bonus Bonus points if you sacrifice any dudes (including the Seer) to Seer instead of letting them actually get destroyed for some extra scry bonuses.
I like having a presence on the board that will linger, making my foes ever vigilant of the consequences.