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!
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.
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?
