# 2018 Magic: The Gathering Battlebond #44

> The Archfiend of Despair is a high-influence Mythic Rare demon from Magic: The Gathering's 2018 Battlebond expansion, featuring a striking foil finish.

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## Identity

- **Year**: 2018
- **Manufacturer brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set / series**: Battlebond
- **Card number**: #44
- **Product type**: TCG_CARD

## Description

Released in 2018 as part of the Battlebond expansion, the Archfiend of Despair (Card #44) stands out within the Magic: The Gathering trading card game as a formidable presence on the battlefield. This Mythic Rare creature card carries a mana cost of six generic and two black mana, resulting in a mana value of eight, which positions it as a late-game threat designed to dominate the board state.

Mechanically, the Archfiend of Despair offers significant strategic value through its flying ability, allowing it to bypass ground-based defenses, and a static effect that prevents opponents from gaining life. This restriction is particularly potent in formats where life gain is a common defensive strategy, effectively shutting down recovery options for those facing it. The card’s end-step trigger adds devastating pressure: at the beginning of each end step, every opponent loses life equal to the amount they lost that turn. Since damage causes loss of life, this ability creates a snowballing effect, punishing aggressive strategies and rewarding players who have dealt damage throughout the turn.

Collectors of Magic: The Gathering often seek this card for its high rarity and the impactful nature of its abilities. The foil treatment adds a layer of visual appeal, making it a desirable addition to any collection focused on the Battlebond set or black mana strategies. Whether used to complete a set or to add a powerful demon to a deck, this card represents a key piece of the 2018 expansion's design. Its combination of flying, life prevention, and life-loss damage makes it a memorable and powerful entry in the lore and gameplay of Magic: The Gathering.

## FAQ

### What is the mana cost of Archfiend of Despair?

The Archfiend of Despair has a mana cost of six generic mana and two black mana, totaling a mana value of eight in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

### What abilities does the Archfiend of Despair have?

This creature has flying, prevents opponents from gaining life, and triggers at the beginning of each end step to make each opponent lose life equal to the life they lost that turn.

### What rarity is the Archfiend of Despair card?

The Archfiend of Despair is printed as a Mythic Rare card in the Battlebond expansion, making it one of the hardest cards to find within that specific set.

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Last verified: 2025-11-29.