Ascendant Acolyte MTG Card


Delivers card advantage and refills your hand, ensuring a range of options during play. Enhances mana acceleration, allowing for earlier deployment of high-cost spells. Operates at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility and opponent disruption.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Monk
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Ascendant Acolyte enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each +1/+1 counter among other creatures you control. At the beginning of your upkeep, double the number of +1/+1 counters on Ascendant Acolyte.

"Limits exist solely to test the will."


Cards like Ascendant Acolyte

Ascendant Acolyte may remind experienced players of certain other creatures in Magic: The Gathering that similarly aim to scale in power over the course of a game. It echoes designs like Managorger Hydra, which also grows stronger with every spell cast, albeit with a focus on any spell, not just enchantments. Yet, unlike the Hydra, Ascendant Acolyte’s enchantment-specific clause can synergize brilliantly in decks designed around that card type, offering a more targeted and potentially more powerful dynamic as the enchantments pile up.

Apprentice Wizard is another card that provides a boost in a specific gameplay aspect, in this case mana generation, which, while not directly enhancing power or toughness, facilitates faster and more impactful plays. Ascendant Acolyte, though it doesn’t provide mana, nurtures an evolving threat on the battlefield that can become quite formidable. Lastly, cards like Champion of the Parish take a similar approach, growing with every fellow Human that comes into play — a more restricted but potentially faster growth compared to Ascendant Acolyte’s enchantment-focused buildup.

Ultimately, while Ascendant Acolyte suits a niche role within enchantment-centric decks, it stands as a testament to the diversity and adaptability of creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering, inviting deck-builders to experiment and capitalize on its unique growth potential.

Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Champion of the Parish - MTG Card versions
Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Champion of the Parish - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ascendant Acolyte by color, type and mana cost

Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
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Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Panther Warriors - MTG Card versions
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Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
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Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Seedborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Panther Warriors - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Seedborn Muse - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ascendant Acolyte is formidable in terms of card advantage. Each of its abilities is designed to keep your hand replenished, ensuring you’re never at a loss for options.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does Ascendant Acolyte provide a continuous source of card advantage, but it also excels in resource acceleration. This card can quickly escalate your mana availability, enabling you to play higher-cost spells much sooner than usual.

Instant Speed: The swift nature of Ascendant Acolyte’s abilities at instant speed gives players the upper hand, allowing for strategic plays that can disrupt opponents’ strategies at crucial moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ascendant Acolyte’s ability hinges on a discard mechanic which can deplete your hand, especially when you’re already struggling to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a strict mana arrangement, which may not always align with your deck’s mana curve or color scheme, potentially leading to untimely draws and plays.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the higher end for its abilities, Ascendant Acolyte faces stiff competition from other cards that offer similar or better effects with a lower investment, potentially making it a less optimal choice during deck construction.


Reasons to Include Ascendant Acolyte in Your Collection

Versatility: Ascendant Acolyte is a card with broad utility that can seamlessly transition into a wide variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to enhance board presence while supporting different strategies makes it a solid choice for both new and established players.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with mechanics that benefit from casting spells or creature-based strategies. Whether you’re ramping up to a big play or looking for a piece that nimbly connects parts of your combo, Ascendant Acolyte can be the linchpin in an intricate setup.

Meta-Relevance: Understanding the ever-evolving competitive scene is crucial, and Ascendant Acolyte holds its ground. Its adaptability and synergy with popular deck themes ensure that it has the relevance to make an impact, making it a worthwhile card to have at your disposal in many match-ups.


How to beat

Navigating the challenge of Ascendant Acolyte in your MTG matchups requires a strategic approach. As a creature that thrives off enchantments, diminishing its power hinges on your ability to manage the battlefield effectively. It gains strength and endurance from the auras and enchantments it’s equipped with. Consequently, targeting the enchantments themselves can be far more effective than confronting the Acolyte head-on.

Cards that allow you to remove or neutralize enchantments can swing the balance in your favor. Consider incorporating instant-speed spells like Disenchant or Naturalize, which can dismantle an opponent’s setup by removing crucial enchantments. Artifact-based strategies employing engines like Ratchet Bomb can also serve as a safeguard, offering a way to wipe the slate clean when enchantments become overwhelming.

Remember to weigh the cost of holding back removal against the potential benefits of stalling your opponent’s progress. A well-timed enchantment removal not only weakens Ascendant Acolyte but can also disrupt your opponent’s broader strategy, paving the way for your victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Ascendant Acolyte presents as both a challenge and an opportunity within the MTG realm. Its affinity for enchantments and its adaptability make it a contender for a myriad of deck builds, while its cons provide thoughtful considerations for strategic deck construction. Bridging the gap between the strengths and limitations of Ascendant Acolyte could be the key to unlocking new strategic avenues. For players looking to refine their gameplay and expand their collection with versatile cards, embracing the unique capabilities of Ascendant Acolyte is a step forward. Dive deeper with us into MTG strategy and make the most of your deck-building experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ascendant Acolyte MTG card by a specific set like Neon Dynasty Commander and Neon Dynasty Commander, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Ascendant Acolyte and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ascendant Acolyte Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by Micah Epstein.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 242015NormalBlackMicah Epstein
22022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 642015NormalBlackMicah Epstein

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ascendant Acolyte has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ascendant Acolyte card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-02-18 If Ascendant Acolyte is entering the battlefield at the same time as other creatures, it doesn't count any counters those other creatures would enter the battlefield with.