Devil

Devil
Creature Type
(Subtype for creature/kindred cards)
Statistics	52 cards 7.7% 75% 13.5% 3.8% as of Jumpstart 2022
Scryfall Search
type:"Devil"

Devil is a primarily red creature type used for cards that depict atrociously wicked, cruel, or ill-tempered evil spirits, having the power to afflict bodily harm and spiritual corruption.

Description

Devils are subordinate to Demons but do not share their affiliation for black mana, being more psychotically self-indulgent and impulsive (and thus red) than power-hungry and manipulative. Physically, they bear a resemblance to Demons, except that they are usually smaller and lack wings. Let loose in the world, they satisfy their mad craving for destruction in a whirlwind of chaos.

The first card to bear the type was Stone-Throwing Devils in Arabian Nights. While Dissension and Shards of Alara had one Devil card each, the majority of printed Devils originate from Innistrad block and Shadows over Innistrad block.

Alara

Devils are found in the shard of Grixis, surrounding themselves with the undead.

Capenna

In New Capenna devils are associated with the three red-aligned crime families, the Maestros, the Riveteers and the Cabaretti. While most are violent and combative as devils tend to be, some like the Witty Roastmaster go into more upstanding (though not necessarily less damaging) employment like stand-up comedy.

Innistrad

Innistrad is home to several devils that accompany greater demons. Of the Pitchburn Devils of Innistrad it is said that they have the ingenuity of goblins, the depravity of demons and the smarts of sheep. Devils are said to spring from the unearthly desires of demons that take the form to sake their hunger for destruction. Humans have learned to train Devilthorn Foxes to counteract their mischief.

The failed skaberen Tibalt was transformed into a half-devil through a spell that was taught to him by devils attracted by his experiments and that he used to defend himself from a pitchfork-wielding mob that had discovered his experiments.

Ravnica

On Ravnica, devils are part of the Cult of Rakdos. While the larger demons embody evil qualities such as blood lust and torment, the devils reflect the whimsical and chaotic side of Rakdos and his cult. Their mischievous antics cause disorder and destruction out of proportion to the demons' small size. Some excel at vocal mimicry, making them deeply irritating impressionists. Cacklers are small, jabbering jesters that spice up Rakdos performances with their chaotic antics. Their incessant cackling can inspire uncontrollable laughter by making everything seem hilarious. Rakdos performers enjoy dressing cacklers in a variety of masks, hats, and costumes to lampoon public figures. Some are used as footlights, while others are seen riding the monocycle.

Notable Devils

Innistrad

• Tibalt, Planeswalker half devil.

New Capenna

• Henzie
• Two of the three Beamtown Bullies

Ravnica

• Olrich, Rakdos club owner.

Unknown

• Auntie Blyte, Bad Influence
• Zurzoth

Other

• Devil K. Nevil
• Jalum Grifter

Non-canon

• Asmodeus the Archfiend
• Lorcan, Warlock Collector
• Mahadi, Emporium Master
• Raphael, Fiendish Savior
• Zariel

Tokens

Token Name	Color	Type Line	P/T	Text Box	Source	Printings
Devil	Red	Creature — Devil	1/1	When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to any target.	Burn Down the House Dance with Devils Devils' Playground Maestros Diabolist Make Mischief Ob Nixilis, the Adversary Pugnacious Pugilist Raphael, Fiendish Savior Tibalt, Rakish Instigator Tibalt, Wicked Tormentor Zariel, Archduke of Avernus Zurzoth, Chaos Rider

Heroes of the Realm

Token Name	Color	Type Line	P/T	Text Box	Source	Printings
Devil	Red	Creature — Devil	4/4	Haste When this creature dies, create a Treasure token.	Diabolical Salvation

Trivia

• The flavor text of the sorcery Devil's Play ("A devil's hands are never idle") refers to the old folk saying that "Idle hands are the devil's plaything", regarding the stupid things people can do when they are bored.
• Rakdos Keyrune is a manstone that can become a 3/1 black and red Devil artifact creature with first strike.
• There are three monoblack Devils in Magic, two Legends from Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (Asmodeus the Archfiend and Lorcan, Warlock Collector) and one from Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, Chain Devil. This is due to a change in lore, where the generalised characteristics of demons and devils in Dungeons and Dragons are swapped from that in Magic.

External links

• Doug Beyer (February 15, 2012). "Sympathy for the Devils". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.