Demonic Pact — ruling 1

You choose the mode as the triggered ability goes on the stack. You can choose a mode that requires targets only if there are legal targets available.

Demonic Pact — ruling 2

If the ability doesn't resolve (either for having its target become illegal or because a spell or ability counters it), the mode chosen for that instance of the ability still counts as being chosen.

Demonic Pact — ruling 3

The phrase "that hasn't been chosen" refers only to that specific Demonic Pact. If you control one and cast another one, you can choose any mode for the second one the first time its ability triggers.

Demonic Pact — ruling 4

It doesn't matter who has chosen any particular mode. For example, say you control Demonic Pact and have chosen the first two modes. If an opponent gains control of Demonic Pact, that player can choose only the third or fourth mode.

Demonic Pact — ruling 5

In some very unusual situations, you may not be able to choose a mode, either because all modes have previously been chosen or the only remaining modes require targets and there are no legal targets available. In this case, the ability is simply removed from the stack with no effect.

Demonic Pact — ruling 6

Yes, if the fourth mode is the only one remaining, you must choose it. You read the whole contract, right?

Demonic Pact : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Demonic Pact is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

At the beginning of your upkeep, choose one that hasn't been chosen — • This enchantment deals 4 damage to any target and you gain 4 life. • Target opponent discards two cards. • Draw two cards. • You lose the game.

How it works : Demonic Pact

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
You choose the mode as the triggered ability goes on the stack. You can choose a mode that requires targets only if there are legal targets available.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
If the ability doesn't resolve (either for having its target become illegal or because a spell or ability counters it), the mode chosen for that instance of the ability still counts as being chosen.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
The phrase "that hasn't been chosen" refers only to that specific Demonic Pact. If you control one and cast another one, you can choose any mode for the second one the first time its ability triggers.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
It doesn't matter who has chosen any particular mode. For example, say you control Demonic Pact and have chosen the first two modes. If an opponent gains control of Demonic Pact, that player can choose only the third or fourth mode.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
In some very unusual situations, you may not be able to choose a mode, either because all modes have previously been chosen or the only remaining modes require targets and there are no legal targets available. In this case, the ability is simply removed from the stack with no effect.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
Yes, if the fourth mode is the only one remaining, you must choose it. You read the whole contract, right?
No other card is named in this ruling.

Popular combos

Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.

#1
Demonic Pact + Harmless Offering
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Cast Harmless Offering by paying , giving control of Demonic Pact to an opponent.
2At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

#1
Demonic Pact + Harmless Offering
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Cast Harmless Offering by paying , giving control of Demonic Pact to an opponent.
2At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

#2
Demonic Pact + Blim, Comedic Genius
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Deal combat damage to an opponent using Blim, triggering its ability, giving control of Demonic Pact to an opponent.
2At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

#3
Demonic Pact + Donate
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Cast Donate by paying , giving control of Demonic Pact to an opponent.
2At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

#4
Demonic Pact + Stiltzkin, Moogle Merchant
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Activate Stiltzkin by paying and tapping it, giving control of Demonic Pact to an opponent.
2At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

#5
Demonic Pact + Coveted Falcon
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Activate Coveted Falcon by paying , turning it face up.
2Coveted Falcon triggers, causing an opponent to gain control of Demonic Pact and causing you to draw a card.
3At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

#6
Demonic Pact + Zedruu the Greathearted
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Activate Zedruu by paying , giving control of Demonic Pact to an opponent.
2At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

#7
Demonic Pact + Iroh, Tea Master
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Donate Demonic Pact to an opponent.
2At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

#8
Demonic Pact + Bilbo, Luckwearer // Burglar's Plot
Target opponent loses the game at the beginning of their next upkeep
1Donate Demonic Pact to an opponent.
2At the beginning of the opponent's upkeep, Demonic Pact triggers, causing them to select the fourth mode and lose the game.

Interactions with other cards

These cards' text mentions Demonic Pact.

Graven Archfiend

As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may sacrifice a non-Demon creature. Flying When Graven Archfiend enters the battlefield, if its additional cost was paid, conjure a card named Demonic Pact onto the battlefield.