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Pojo's Magic The Gathering Card of the Day
Daily Since November 2001!


Image from Wizards.com

Xathrid Demon
Magic 2010

Reviewed July 1, 2009

Constructed: 2.33
Casual: 3.00
Limited: 4.00
Multiplayer: 4.00

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.  3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating

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Card of the Day Reviews 


David Fanany

Player since 1995

Xathrid Demon

This card is, among other things, an ultra-condensed linguistics lesson. The letter X is one of the least-used words in the English language, and whenever an English speaker sees it, he or she unconsciously knows that the word it appears in is exotic and alien. In the case of Xathrid Demon, that effect layers on top of its menacing grin and high-risk high-reward game text. I'm already a fan, and I haven't even seen one in person yet!

Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 4/5
Multiplayer: 4/5
Limited: 4/5
PsychoAnime

#1 Magic Noob in Canada since 2002
Xathrid Demon

Although 6 mana for 7/7 flier is efficient, this will see no play because it just dies to itself much too easily. 6 mana can get you a more more reliable finisher regardless of colour.

In limited though, this guy is easily fatal as long as you can keep a few creatures on the field.

Constructed: 1/5
Casual: 1/5
Limited: 4/5
Paul Magic The Gathering COTD: Xathrid Demon

Welcome back readers today’s card is an interesting variant on Lord of The Pit, as an avid black mage Xathrid Demon appeals directly to my sadistic nature. Six mana nets you a 7/7 flying and trampling creature that requires you to sacrifice a creature other than Xathrid Demon, if you can’t sacrifice a creature the demon becomes tapped and you lose 7 life. Unlike its predecessor this demon makes each opponent lose life equal to the sacrificed creature’s power. Wow. A creature with two great forms of evasion at a modest cost for black and a semi-negligible drawback, again wow! Xathrid Demon could fill the role as a solid finisher in mono block decks that are sure to appear after Magic 2010 is released. The existence of Thoughtseize, Duress, Tendrils of Corruption, Bitterblossom, Nyxalid, and the new terror means black mages have a huge arsenal to choose from.

Mono black decks after the release of M10 could be a serious contender and after Zendiker in October black is still most likely going to be a prominent force. In standard and extended Xathrid Demon could prove an alluring finisher for Mono Black Control decks and a compliment to powerful cards in the formats. In eternal formats no chance. In multiplayer and casual the room for shenanigans is great if you’re able to sac creatures that want to be in the graveyard, use big fatties with haste, or token shenanigans. Xathrid Demon screams deal with me can dominate the ground and skies of kitchen tables. In limited a huge beater if you’re heavy in black, the evasion is awesome and even if you don’t have impressive creatures to sacrifice the drawback still makes this guy a great finisher. Another impressive card to come out of Magic 2010, and hopefully a boon to black mages everywhere.

Constructed- 3.0
Casual- 4.0
Limited- 4.0
Multiplayer- 4.0
BMoor Xathrid Demon
Meet the newest member of the Pit's V.I.P. club. Like Lord of the Pit and Liege of the Pit, Xathrid here has quite the healthy appetite. Unlike them, he comes down a turn earlier, and will make everybody else lose life when you feed him, instead of just whacking you for 7 when you don't. Meaning that while previous Demons were most likely to feed on expendable 1/1 (or even 0/1) tokens, Xathrid here has more expensive tastes, preferring to feast on bigger creatures in order to maximize the life loss he causes your opponents. This guy is a Breath of Malfegor waiting to happen, if you have a 5-power dude to spare. And after all, if you had a 7/7 flying, trample, and a 5/5, wouldn't you be willing to give up the 5/5 for the 7/7?

Constructed- 2.75
Casual- 4.5
Multiplayer- 4.75
Limited- 4

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