Demonic TutorHow it works & interactions with other cards

Finding Your Fate

When you cast Demonic Tutor, you search your entire library for any single card. Unlike many other search effects, this card does not require you to reveal your choice to your opponents. You simply find the card, put it directly into your hand, and then shuffle your library. Because the card is put into your hand rather than being drawn, effects that trigger on drawing cards will not apply, and effects that prevent drawing will not stop this spell from working.

The Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast the spell by paying its mana cost of one black and one generic mana. As the spell resolves, you pick up your library and look through it. You choose any card you wish; there are no restrictions on type or cost. You move that card from your library to your hand without showing it to anyone. Finally, you must shuffle your library thoroughly before the game continues. The Demonic Tutor is then placed into your graveyard.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

A frequent mistake is revealing the card to your opponent out of habit from other tutors. Remember: Demonic Tutor does not say 'reveal,' so you gain a strategic advantage by keeping your choice a secret. Additionally, remember that shuffling is mandatory even if you decide not to find a card (though since it searches for 'a card' and your library is not a hidden zone to you, you must find one if your library contains at least one card).

Timing Your Search

Since it is a sorcery, you can usually only cast Demonic Tutor during your main phase when the stack is empty. This means you should plan your turn ahead of time. It is often best to cast it early to set up your mana curve or wait until you have enough mana to cast both the Tutor and the card you find in the same turn to surprise your opponents.

Interaction examples

Preparing the Grave

Reanimate

If you have a powerful creature in your library but no way to play it, use Demonic Tutor to search for Reanimate. On a subsequent turn (or the same turn if you have the mana), you can use other effects to discard that creature and then use the Reanimate you tutored to bring it onto the battlefield for a huge mana advantage.

Surviving the Swarm

Toxic Deluge

When facing an army of small creatures, cast Demonic Tutor to find Toxic Deluge. Since Demonic Tutor puts the card directly into your hand, you can immediately cast Toxic Deluge if you have the additional mana, paying the necessary life to wipe the board and stabilize your position.