Shivan Devastator MTG Card


Shivan Devastator excels in card advantage and can decisively swing games in your favor. Acts as a mana sink, adaptable to available resources for threat scale modulation. Demands strategic play, dictating opponents’ actions with its potential impact.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Dragon Hydra
Abilities Flying,Haste
Power 0
Toughness 0

Text of card

Flying, haste Shivan Devastator enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it.

There were many reasons why Shiv was not high on Sheoldred's list of places to conquer: big, fiery reasons.


Cards like Shivan Devastator

Shivan Devastator enters the arena as a dynamic force amongst red creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to flexible creatures like Mistcutter Hydra, renowned for its ability to enter the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters proportional to the mana invested. Moreover, Shivan Devastator’s trample ability ensures that excess damage can be a game-changer during combat, similar to Mistcutter Hydra’s ability to be unblockable by blue creatures.

Another counterpart is Stonecoil Serpent, a creature that shares the variable +1/+1 counter mechanic and trample, but also boasts reach and protection from multicolored, adding a layer of defense against a variety of threats. The Shivan Devastator doesn’t possess these defensive traits, but it does carry the iconic “firebreathing” ability, which allows you to pump additional red mana to increase its power, making it formidable as your mana pool grows.

Examining the traits of these similar cards illustrates the Shivan Devastator’s potential as a dominant force with overpowering late-game implications, solidifying its status as a valuable creature in red’s arsenal, particularly in decks that leverage mana ramping strategies.

Mistcutter Hydra - MTG Card versions
Stonecoil Serpent - MTG Card versions
Mistcutter Hydra - MTG Card versions
Stonecoil Serpent - MTG Card versions

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Roc Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
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Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
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Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Enslaved Dwarf - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Shivan Devastator. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro StandardRakdos AggroReCQ - Standard - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 12:00 pm (Bronze)
Naya MidrangeNaya Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro StandardMono-Red AggroJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Boros AggroBoros Aggro ModernDEN24 Sat 9:00 - U.S. Regional Championship - presented by Laughing Dragon
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Boros MidrangeBoros Midrange ModernDEN24 Sun 9:30 - Modern $10k Open 8-slot RCQ
WUBRGWUBRG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024
RR StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024
Izzet AggroIzzet Aggro StandardIzzet AggroJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Shivan Devastator offers invaluable deck versatility, adept at pulling off advantageous trades, or clearing the path for critical strikes. Able to decimate smaller creatures or deal directly with threats, it often results in a beneficial exchange of cards.

Resource Acceleration: This fiery juggernaut serves as a mana sink, allowing you to invest any surplus resources into creating a potent battlefield presence. The flexibility in its casting cost means you can adapt its scale to match your current mana availability, making it a dynamic force at any stage of the game.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the Shivan Devastator commands respect for its ability to drastically shift the tides of battle in your favor. It demands immediate answers from opponents, shaping their gameplay and potentially creating openings for your instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shivan Devastator enters the battlefield with a demand for a specific mana commitment. This demand can create a setback when your available mana doesn’t align with its color requirements. It’s an obstacle for hands that need a quick response but are dealt with a mana pool that doesn’t support a red-heavy investment, making the card a potential liability in your clutch moments.

Specific Mana Cost: Its dependence on red mana sources can be an issue, especially in multicolored decks craving flexibility. In formats where mana bases are often stretched between numerous colors to accommodate a wide array of strategies, having enough red mana exclusively for Shivan Devastator might not always be feasible. This limitation confines it primarily to mono-red or two-color decks that can reliably produce ample red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: A towering mana cost could overshadow Shivan Devastator’s allure when comparing it to other powerhouses in your arsenal. Players might find its cost steep relative to its impact on the game. In situations where mana efficiency is crucial, the heavy red investment needed to unleash its full potential might steer players towards more mana-efficient creatures or spells that offer a better return on investment.


Reasons to Include Shivan Devastator in Your Collection

Versatility: This powerhouse card is a chameleon in deck building, blending into a multitude of strategies with its scalable mana cost. Whether you’re firing up for a quick strike or fueling a late-game behemoth, Shivan Devastator meets the moment.

Combo Potential: As a creature with X in its casting cost, it readily synergizes with spells and abilities that manipulate +1/+1 counters or benefit from flexible mana investments, unlocking new avenues for inventive playstyles.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that prizes adaptability, Shivan Devastator holds its ground. Whether facing swift aggro decks or enduring the long game against control opponents, this card’s dynamic presence can be the edge your arsenal needs.


How to beat

The Shivan Devastator enters the arena as a force that scales with your investment of mana, signaling potential for immense power. On the battlefield, it can quickly become a formidable threat due to its versatility and the Haste ability. To navigate around this behemoth, one must employ strategy and consider the suite of removal options available. Cards such as Path to Exile and Doom Blade can serve as an efficient answer to the Devastator as they remove the threat before it can inflict damage.

Counterspells also shine against this creature, with their ability to prevent it from ever hitting the field. Timing is crucial; Mana Leak or Counterspell could effectively neutralize the threat for a minimal mana investment. Likewise, board wipes such as Wrath of God remain a reliable reset button when you’re facing a Devastator empowered by substantial mana resources. Lastly, chump blocking with expendable creatures can buy crucial time, allowing for a more permanent solution to be drawn. Facing a Shivan Devastator requires a cool head and a well-timed response.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the heart of battle with Shivan Devastator’s raw power and adaptability. As you curate your collection, consider the mighty Devastator for its versatile mana investment and its capacity to shift the tides of combat. Whether contributing to a mana-ramp strategy or providing a scalable threat that evolves with the game, this card demands a second look. Keep in mind, strategic mana allocation and a keen awareness of its limitations will be key to unleashing its full potential. To harness the power of Shivan Devastator and optimize your deck-building prowess, join us for deeper insights and strategies tailored to sharpen your MTG edge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shivan Devastator MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria United Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Shivan Devastator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shivan Devastator Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Brent Hollowell.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1034342015NormalBlackBrent Hollowell
22022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 143p2015NormalBlackBrent Hollowell
32022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 1432015NormalBlackBrent Hollowell
42022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 143s2015NormalBlackBrent Hollowell
52022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 4102015NormalBlackBrent Hollowell

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shivan Devastator has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal