Demon Deck Evolution: Top Cards & Strategy in MTG Standard

This Deck is on DEMON TIME

Explore the top-tier Demon deck in MTG's Standard format with new cards from Foundations. Optimize your strategy for competitive play in Best of 3 matches.

We went into Foundations knowing that the demon deck was a top archetype in Standard, and even in Pioneer, but the question still remained: with new cards coming, would it still be good? And if it's still good, what could we do to make it better? Foundations gives us some key cards that almost appear to be made for the deck, and we won't scoff at that. The set is made to be a basis for many different archetypes, so it was nice that we got some decent demons with our core set. Something we'll have to worry about going forward is all of the other decks that will be popping up. We will be vigilant about our sideboard choices and stay prepared to make the changes that are needed. We do have some cards in the sideboard from the new set, so let's take a look at the deck itself that will show us main deck and sideboard additions from Foundations.

Total Cards:

We are following the previous demon archetype, but now we are able to be a little bit more well-rounded, and we have cut down on some of the cost by building the deck in paper. One could also argue that the deck has a better mana curve, as the previous version ran 10 four drops. Since we took out two copies of Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, that lowers the cost of the deck by about $150 USD. While some argue that we have taken out one of the best cards in the format, we are also helping the deck stay more true to its goal, while making it more accessible to newer players.

New Cards in the Deck

Magic the Gathering Card - Abyssal Harvester - MTG Circle

This is our new replacement for Sheoldred, and a way to get more three drops in the deck. It is akin to Dauthi Voidwalker, but a Standard version. Our deck has plenty of removal, so we can remove a creature, and then immediately cast the spell for free with Harvester's ability. This gives us a great matchup against Domain Decks, and other big mana decks that want to get large creatures on the board. The creature also attacks well, and it blocks well. It is a demon that increases the likelihood of Unholy Annex giving us as much value as possible. It seemed like we had to include at least a couple of copies of this card to test its worth.

Magic the Gathering Card - Soulstone Sanctuary - MTG Circle

Standard Mutavault, anyone??? This new creature land is awesome. It is unique in the sense that it stays a land after animating it just one time. You will lose the flexibility of it being evasive in other scenarios, but we run 25 lands in the deck and can spare one or two if absolutely needed. The fact that this one is all creature types should all but make it an auto-include in tribal/typal decks. The creature having vigilance is also helpful, as we can attack with it, then use it for mana after. The fact that it allows us to add up to two more demons to the deck is definitely intriguing. Annex is becoming one of the most powerful cards in the format, and the win rate chances seem to be that much higher when we have at least one copy of it on the board. It helps a lot when we get the residual value from it, while also maximizing the possible value by having demons on the board.

New Sideboard Cards

Magic the Gathering Card - Blasphemous Edict - MTG Circle

In a format that relies on a lot of removal to answer threats, Blasphemous Edict is a great option that gets around a lot of different protections. It is commonly viewed as an efficient EDH board wipe, but with some of the archetypes that we have in Standard, we might be able to get good value from it in the current climate. The fact that it can be a board wipe for as little as one mana makes it almost impossible for me to not at least try it for a bit. Since it is an edict effect, it even gets around some cards in the format that give cards indestructible as well. It also says "each player", so it gets around effects that give players hexproof, which are also present in the format. One could make the argument that Deadly Cover-Up is a better option if it is going to cost five mana, and I don't fully disagree. We just owe it to ourselves to try out these new cards and find out the situations where they may or may not be the better choice.

Magic the Gathering Card - Rune-Scarred Demon - MTG Circle

This is kind of a fun card that I think doesn't necessarily need to be in the deck, but it also is a tutor, which effectively creates a useful two-for-one from this creature. Since it is seven mana, I decided to only make it a one-of in the sideboard. I believe that this creature could prove itself useful in maybe a mirror match, or in those grindy games where you just need that one card to get you there. He's also a demon, so it basically forced me to give it a shot. I think if it were any other type, I would have to leave him out and try the card in a different build.

Magic the Gathering Card - Rise of the Dark Realms - MTG Circle

Remember Haunting Voyage? This card just brings me back to a special time in MTG where I was just getting back into the game. This card is an even better version of that. I believe that it may kind of end up being a meme, but there are decks that are heavily using the graveyard right now, and if you get into a grind, this could end up being absolutely ridiculous. There are always going to be reanimator decks too, and this could definitely prey on that. It is something worth trying as a one-of, much like the previous card. I think it is a game-ender if resolved, and there could be a situation where you have one of the most awesome interactions of all time, and that is my favorite thing about magic. It's somewhat of a high that I'm looking for, and who knows, maybe we can find it sometime.

How Does it Stack Up?

We are in a Standard format that is very far from being solved. I think that the consistency that we can have with this deck is almost unmatched. Having a one-turn kill in the build, but also being able to pivot from that when needed to be either a midrange or control deck gives us a ton of versatility that will allow us to compete with just about anything that is out there. We will have to keep an eye on some of the other demon lists, as Golgari is now playing demons. The Dimir list is still good, so that will also be on our radar. The matchup against aggro is fine, and our sideboard is geared towards it.

I hope you enjoyed the update for the demon deck, and we will catch you soon for another Foundations deck!

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I am a Magic The Gathering competitive player, and streamer. I specialize in homebrew decks. My favorite formats are: Standard, Pioneer (Explorer on Arena), and EDH. I first started playing MTG in 2001, and have played on and off since then.

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