EDH Optimizer
Demons Commander decks
Demons is a kindred archetype: the deck is built around one creature type and the cards that pay you for having many of them. It is mostly played in black and Rakdos. Its most characteristic cards are Archfiend of Depravity, Harvester of Souls, Liliana's Contract: not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear in these decks far above what is normal for the same colors.
Cards that define the archetype
Ranked by how much MORE they are played inside the archetype than in the rest of Commander. Generic staples (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet…) fall out for exactly that reason: they are played everywhere equally.
| Card | Commanders | Avg. inclusion | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archfiend of Depravity | 14 | 45% | +80 pts |
| Harvester of Souls | 14 | 43% | +79 pts |
| Liliana's Contract | 11 | 44% | +65 pts |
| Rune-Scarred Demon | 11 | 44% | +64 pts |
| Reaper from the Abyss | 8 | 43% | +47 pts |
| Ob Nixilis, Unshackled | 7 | 36% | +41 pts |
| Rakdos, Lord of Riots | 7 | 49% | +40 pts |
| Bloodletter of Aclazotz | 7 | 38% | +39 pts |
| Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth | 11 | 37% | +37 pts |
| Herald of Slaanesh | 6 | 57% | +35 pts |
| Kardur, Doomscourge | 7 | 52% | +35 pts |
| Bloodgift Demon | 6 | 42% | +35 pts |
| Rakdos, Patron of Chaos | 6 | 45% | +34 pts |
| Demonic Counsel | 5 | 43% | +29 pts |
| Sower of Discord | 5 | 42% | +29 pts |
| Rakdos, the Showstopper | 5 | 53% | +29 pts |
| Raphael, Fiendish Savior | 5 | 48% | +29 pts |
| Balor | 5 | 38% | +29 pts |
| Indulgent Tormentor | 5 | 42% | +29 pts |
| Reliquary Tower | 7 | 36% | +29 pts |
| Bedevil | 7 | 49% | +26 pts |
| Vilis, Broker of Blood | 5 | 38% | +26 pts |
| Rakdos Carnarium | 7 | 48% | +26 pts |
| Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx | 6 | 35% | +24 pts |
| Archfiend of Despair | 4 | 37% | +23 pts |
| Damnation | 5 | 28% | +23 pts |
| Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire | 4 | 61% | +22 pts |
| Temple of Malice | 6 | 40% | +22 pts |
| Charcoal Diamond | 6 | 38% | +18 pts |
| Great Unclean One | 3 | 49% | +17 pts |
Commanders for Demons
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Black
Black · Red
Blue · Black · Red
White · Black · Red
White · Black
Paste your list and we tell you whether the deck actually does what it wants to do: curve, ramp, interaction and a 10,000-game simulation.
🛠️ Build a deck like this 📥 Analyze my deckFrequently asked questions
What is the best commander for a Demons deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Rakdos, Lord of Riots, Be'lakor, the Dark Master, Raphael, Fiendish Savior. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 47 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Demons is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Demons deck?
The three most characteristic are Archfiend of Depravity, Harvester of Souls, Liliana's Contract. They are not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear far more inside this archetype than in the rest of Commander — which is what actually makes them essential here.
What colors is Demons played in?
The most common color identities are Black, Black · Red, Blue · Black · Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Demons deck cost?
It depends on the price cap PER CARD you set. Each commander page lists the best cards in three tiers (up to €2, up to €10 and no cap), and the optimizer only suggests swaps that fit the cap you pick.