Bloodgift Demon or Duskmantle Seer?
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Dec. 6, 2016, 5:58 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
I have a black/white/blue EDH deck that contains Bloodgift Demon, which I find to be a great card, but I am considering replacing it with Duskmantle Seer, because the latter creature is less expensive in terms of casting cost and will receive a greater bonus from Glen Elendra Liege. However, before I do that, I wish to consult everyone here about my decision, to see which creature most people consider to be better.
Both creatures can have application in multiplayer games; the demon's controller can target an opponent with its ability to gain favors from that player, while the fact that the seer's ability benefits all players equally will, ideally, make its controller's opponents less likely to attack them. The only thing that I do not like about the seer is that I could lose life too quickly from it and lose the game as a result, although, given that the deck is both black and white, regaining that life should not be difficult.
What does everyone else say about this subject? Which creature do you believe is better in EDH?
Bloodgift Demon is by far the better choice. Giving your opponents cards when you don't have to is generally a bad idea. Plus the buff from Glen Elendra Liege is negligable.
December 6, 2016 6:29 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #5
Livingham, the fact that I do not wish to remove any cards from the deck to make room for both is what is preventing me from having both in it.
December 6, 2016 6:40 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #6
MindAblaze, enpc, thank you for your feedback; I was already unwilling to remove the demon, but you have helped me affirm that decision.
December 6, 2016 6:43 p.m.
The demon by far... He only gives you advantage, hits for harder (so in the end he hits the same with liege into play) and costs you only 1 life instead of gazillion :p
December 6, 2016 6:56 p.m.
Raging_Squiggle says... #8
Also, you could target your opponent with the demon's ability, if they are at or below 10 life or so, accelerating their death.
December 6, 2016 7:40 p.m.
Nah, Yawgmoth's Bargain is bad. You skip your draw step and have to pay life * attempts to keep straight face *
December 6, 2016 10:58 p.m.
Meh, from playing both I kind of dig the Duskmantle Seer because the 5 drop is a little busy with all the choices you have. A 4/4 flier for four that has potential to do work on all opponents while going under the radar and appearing to be group hug is pretty good imo. Bloodgift Demon just feels hella slow to me, if I want card draw on a creature at 5 mana I'd probably go River Kelpie since he's so easy to abuse.
December 7, 2016 1:47 a.m.
Dude... do you even Phyrexian Arena? Demon is better period. Having potential is nothing compared to plain value. Unless you are playing in a way that supports the seer, he is inferior to the demon as you are giving your opponents options by giving them cards! I've lost 20 life to draw cards before and I would do so again. Plus top exists in this format and is played by many :p
December 7, 2016 9:35 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #16
TheDevicer, Yawgmoth's Bargain is banned in EDH, and for good reason, so I cannot use it in my deck.
December 7, 2016 10:17 a.m.
Paying 1 life to draw a card is often referred to as Yawgmoth's Bargain. I was mere echoing people's sentiments about the value of the demon over the seer. Oh, and I couldn't resist posting smug anime grils.
December 7, 2016 10:52 a.m.
Phyrexian Arena is great, but it doesn't cost 5 and pays off early. I wouldn't be super happy playing the Arena my 5th turn either. I was just saying I like the Seer because its political, fits in a less competitive mana slot, and does something unique that could fit in the right deck. The Demon doesn't do anything unique and if I'm looking for that effect why not go Ob Nixilis Reignited?
December 7, 2016 10:55 a.m.
Sorry, just to clarify I just think Bloodgift Demon is unplayable at 5 mana whereas Duskmantle Seer could work in the right deck. Just my opinion.
December 7, 2016 11:11 a.m.
MindAblaze says... #20
You have to consider your audience when you say a card is unplayable. If you're looking at Hermit Druid combo, then yes, Bloodgift is too expensive. In the right deck I'd also run Duskmantle Seer, but it's not likely to be an ultra competitive deck. Bloodgift serves its purpose for a slower deck that could benefit from a flying fatty, with a draw ability that less competitive metas like for three mana. Hermit Druid isn't going to run Arena either. If you want fast early draw, you're looking in the wrong spot, if you want incremental advantage, Duskmantle has potential where Bloodgift has consistency.
December 7, 2016 12:36 p.m.
In casual groups, Bloodgift Demon is great. It's a high-powered evasive body that's reasonably costed and it gives you card draw on top of all of that. I haven't played one in years and years just cuz my playergroup doesn't allow me to play stuff at that power level.
December 7, 2016 1:06 p.m.
JonathanSamurai says... #23
5 mana for an evasive 5/4 with extra draw? That's unplayable? I'm done
December 7, 2016 3 p.m.
There are a LOT of better plays and creatures for 5 mana imo, so yeah, I'd call it unplayable. Everyone has their own power scale I guess.
December 7, 2016 5:31 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #26
TheDevicer, from where are those images that you are posting?
MindAblaze says... #2
Bloodgift Demon. In general, putting cards in opponents hands is bad for you. That doesn't mean it's always bad, but a bit of life loss in exhange for a card is usually a good deal. It also depends on how likely those cards are to hurt you. If you want them to have lots of cards because of Stasis or are taking their resources away with Winter Orb or something similar...sure, let the Seer burn them with their cards.
December 6, 2016 6:13 p.m.