Demonic Tutor

Demonic Tutor debuted in Limited Edition Alpha in August 1993. The original uncommon is LEA #104, illustrated by Douglas Shuler, and is nonfoil only. Beta and several later early editions use catalogue number 105 instead; the set code is essential when identifying an original.

Premium references: PUMA #U8 is the foil-only extended-art Ultimate Box Topper. STA #27 and Japanese #90 offer separate Archive illustrations, while CMM #509 is etched and #696 is Donato Giancola's borderless version.

Demonic Tutor costs {1}{B} and is a sorcery. It searches your library for a card, puts it into your hand and then shuffles. It does not restrict the search to a particular card type, and you choose the card as the spell resolves rather than announcing that choice when casting it.

The card is not drawn and does not normally have to be revealed. That matters when comparing it with draw effects or with Vampiric Tutor, which leaves its chosen card on top of the library and loses two life as part of its effect.

It also does not take the exile risk of Demonic Consultation. Those differences make the destination and timing of the search more useful gameplay comparisons than the rarity symbol or finish of a particular Demonic Tutor. Current wording and format legality appear in the live details.

The Shuler illustration connects Alpha, Beta, Unlimited and Revised, but those are distinct releases. Alpha is catalogued as #104; Revised is #105. Neither number is a modern collector-number line printed on those early cards. Identify the edition from the physical card rather than relying only on the image or a number copied from a listing.

Ultimate Masters in December 2018 supplies Zack Stella's artwork at #93, with nonfoil and traditional foil choices. The same release's extended-art Ultimate Box Topper, PUMA #U8, also credits Stella and is foil only. Its U-prefix belongs in a precise catalogue reference.

Strixhaven's Mystical Archive arrived in April 2021 with Anato Finnstark's #27 and Sumie Okazu's Japanese #90. These are different illustrations, not simply different text languages around the same picture. The bonus sheet uses STA rather than the main set's STX code.

Commander Masters in August 2023 gives another useful group: standard #150 and etched #509 use Stella's art, while borderless #696 changes the artist to Donato Giancola. The standard UMA entry is rare and the CMM entries are mythic; that rarity difference belongs to the release and does not change the spell.

If the original image is your priority, compare Shuler's early editions as separate physical cards. If Stella's modern interpretation appeals, UMA #93, PUMA #U8 and the CMM standard or etched entries let you compare presentation while retaining the artist and illustration.

Giancola's CMM #696 changes the artwork as well as offering borderless presentation. It is therefore a different comparison from simply choosing an extended-art Stella copy. Put the complete card images beside each other before deciding whether a frame or a new illustration is what you want.

The Archive adds Finnstark and Okazu rather than another frame around the Stella image. Wizards shows the global and Japanese art families and explains their distribution in Collecting Strixhaven. Japanese #90 is a language choice too, so keep the language field in your comparison.

Alpha and Revised have no official foil versions. For Stella's illustration, standard UMA #93 and CMM #150 provide traditional foil options, while the extended-art PUMA #U8 is a foil-only box topper. An unspecified listing for a premium Tutor does not distinguish those cards.

CMM #509 is etched only and uses Stella's artwork. It is not an etched version of Giancola's borderless #696, which instead offers nonfoil and traditional foil. Identify the number before deciding whether the finish is the one you wanted.

Both STA #27 and Japanese #90 have nonfoil, traditional foil and etched records. Wizards identifies foil-etched Archive cards as Collector Booster treatments. Compare the exact art, language and finish; a Japanese-art copy is not automatically etched.

The shared shimmer is an illustrative preview. Seller photographs are still needed to assess the physical surface, condition and appearance of an early card, box topper or etched foil.

For the first edition: choose LEA #104. If Shuler's illustration matters more than Alpha status, compare other early editions separately, including Revised #105.

For a playing budget: compare currently available nonfoil UMA #93 and CMM #150 with other ordinary entries in similar condition. Neither rarity nor age establishes a permanent price order.

For Stella's art with a special presentation: compare foil-only PUMA #U8 against etched CMM #509. If you want a different artist instead, add Giancola's #696 to the comparison before choosing a finish.

For Archive artwork: compare Finnstark's #27 with Okazu's Japanese #90. Decide on the illustration and language first, then compare traditional foil, etched and nonfoil copies within the chosen record.

Compare UMA #93 with CMM #696 to decide whether Stella or Giancola better suits the collection. If Stella wins, the standard, extended-art box topper and etched entries become a focused frame-and-finish comparison. Keep Alpha as the historical reference rather than assuming a premium modern copy replaces that collecting interest.

The live explorer may highlight a ManaScout Pick. Treat it as a visual starting point and compare the exact printing, finish and available price data before deciding.

Vampiric Tutor — Compare an instant-speed search that places its card on top rather than directly into your hand.

Demonic Consultation — Explore the different risks and printing history of a one-mana named-card search.

Mystic Remora — Compare card selection with a one-mana engine that draws cards from opposing spells.

Mana Vault — Explore another Alpha card whose early illustration and later premium treatments are distinct choices.

Printing details reviewed on 2 November 2026. The shortlist links to individual MTG.wtf catalogue records; official Wizards sources support the rules and product treatments. The live explorer retrieves its records and price fields from Scryfall.

MTG.wtf: Alpha number, artist and linked catalogue.

MTG.wtf: modern printing and rules clarifications.

MTG.wtf: Ultimate Box Topper.

Wizards: Archive artwork and finish families.

Wizards: Commander Masters treatments.