Devouring GreedHow it works & interactions with other cards

How the Sacrifice Works

Devouring Greed features an optional additional cost. When you cast the spell, you decide how many Spirits currently on the battlefield you wish to sacrifice. The spell always deals a base of 2 damage and grants 2 life, but for every Spirit you choose to sacrifice as part of the casting cost, those numbers increase by 2. Because sacrificing is an additional cost, these Spirits are put into the graveyard before the spell even arrives on the stack to be countered or resolved.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you announce Devouring Greed and choose a target player. Second, you choose which Spirits to sacrifice and pay the mana cost plus the sacrifice cost. Third, the spell moves to the stack. If the spell resolves, the game checks how many Spirits were sacrificed during the casting process. The target player loses 2 life (base) plus 2 life for each sacrificed Spirit, and you gain that exact same amount of life simultaneously.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common error is trying to sacrifice Spirits after the spell has already been cast or in response to a counterspell; you must choose and sacrifice them at the moment of casting. Additionally, if the target player gains Hexproof or the spell is countered, you do not gain any life, and the sacrificed Spirits remain in the graveyard. Unlike spells that target creatures to destroy them, you cannot 'respond' to your own sacrifice to save the creatures because the sacrifice is a cost, not an effect.

When to Cast It

This spell is best used as a 'closer' when your opponent is within range of a lethal drain. Since it is a Sorcery, you must cast it during your main phase. It is particularly effective when your Spirits are about to die to a board wipe or if they are blocked by larger creatures, allowing you to get value out of them before they leave the battlefield.

Interaction examples

The Base Drain

If you cast Devouring Greed without sacrificing any Spirits, you pay the four mana and target an opponent. Upon resolution, they lose 2 life and you gain 2 life. This is the minimum effect of the card.

Sacrificing for the Win

If you control three Spirit tokens and sacrifice all of them while casting Devouring Greed, the total life lost by the opponent will be 8 (2 base + 6 from the three Spirits). You will also gain 8 life. Even if the opponent destroys your other permanents in response, the 8 damage is already locked in based on the costs paid.

Interacting with Life Costs

Toxic Deluge

If you are low on health after casting Toxic Deluge and paying a large amount of life to clear the board, you can use Devouring Greed in a subsequent turn to sacrifice your remaining Spirits. This helps you stabilize your life total by regaining the health you spent to cast the Deluge while putting pressure on the opponent.

Graveyard Synergy

Victimize

You can use Devouring Greed to sacrifice your Spirits and put them into the graveyard. Later, you can cast Victimize, sacrificing a different creature to bring two of those high-value Spirits back to the battlefield, allowing you to reuse their enter-the-battlefield abilities or set up for another Devouring Greed later.