Ajani, Inspiring Leader MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Planeswalker — Ajani |
| Released | 2019-07-12 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2020 |
| Set code | M20 |
| Loyalty | 5 |
| Number | 282 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Yongjae Choi |
Text of card
+2: You gain 2 life. Put two +1/+1 counters on up to one target creature. −3: Exile target creature. Its controller gains 2 life. −10: Creatures you control gain flying and double strike until end of turn.
Cards like Ajani, Inspiring Leader
Ajani, Inspiring Leader provides a multifaceted toolkit for MTG players looking to sustain and embolden their creatures on the battlefield. A similar planeswalker card worth considering is Ajani, Mentor of Heroes which also focuses on strengthening creatures and gaining life. Both cards offer the ability to turn the tides by bolstering your creature’s capabilities significantly. However, Ajani, Inspiring Leader has the unique advantage of creating creature tokens which can serve as either defensive blockers or an aggressive strategy to strengthen your board presence.
Another worthy comparison is with Ajani, Strength of the Pride, which excels in life gain strategies. Like Ajani, Inspiring Leader, it can create a lion token, but it also includes a life-based conditional board wipe, offering a different angle of control. Nevertheless, the Inspiring Leader is versatile, giving options for direct life gain, creature enhancement, and token creation without a strict life threshold, catering to a more comprehensive range of scenarios than Ajani, Strength of the Pride.
In summary, while there are several Ajanis in the MTG universe, Ajani, Inspiring Leader holds its ground with its comprehensive suite of abilities that support a creature-centered approach, offering a blend of offensive and defensive powers that can adapt to the evolving needs of the game.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ajani, Inspiring Leader is stellar at providing card advantage due to his ability to create token creatures. These tokens effectively translate into extra cards as they provide both offensive and defensive options during gameplay, helping you stay ahead of your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: With Ajani, your resource acceleration is two-fold. First, his loyalty abilities can boost your creature’s strength, accelerating your board presence without the need for additional cards. Second, by bolstering your creatures, you’re more likely to keep them on the board, consequently preserving your resources.
Instant Speed: Although Ajani himself doesn’t operate at instant speed, his presence can prompt you to play other cards at instant speed more confidently. With a formidable planeswalker on the field, you can leverage the threat of activation to impact your opponent’s decisions, giving you the upper hand as they contemplate their actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ajani, Inspiring Leader demands specific board conditions to achieve maximum value, which may not always be advantageous, especially if facing a quick-paced opponent or an empty board.
Specific Mana Cost: This planeswalker’s casting cost is quite particular, requiring two white mana along with four others. It can be a stretch for multicolored decks to consistently meet this demand, limiting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana, Ajani, Inspiring Leader can be a demanding investment, particularly when other options may provide immediate board impact at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ajani, Inspiring Leader thrives in various deck archetypes, its capability to gain life, create creature tokens, and bolster your creatures makes it a powerful asset in both aggressive and controlling strategies.
Combo Potential: Ajani’s abilities synergize well with decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters and life gain. Combining Ajani with cards that leverage these aspects can lead to devastating effects on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given that Ajani, Inspiring Leader can affect multiple facets of the game, it remains a relevant choice in a fluctuating meta. It can swing games by providing defensive stability or by contributing to a commanding board presence.
How to beat
Ajani, Inspiring Leader is a prominent figure in the realm of MTG, providing not only a source of life gain but also creature bolstering abilities. However, this planeswalker does have his vulnerabilities. The key to overcoming Ajani lies in a robust early game strategy, aiming to apply pressure before he can establish a foothold. Aggro decks, with their swift and potent creatures, are particularly effective as they can bypass Ajani’s buffs by targeting the player directly.
Control strategies, meanwhile, benefit from counterspells and removals that handle his creature threats or Ajani himself before his loyalty becomes insurmountable. Instant-speed interaction ensures that Ajani’s abilities don’t tip the scales in your opponent’s favor. Lastly, remember that Ajani’s ultimate ability is his ace – if he resolves it, the game could swing dramatically. Thus, prioritizing the containment of his loyalty through direct damage or indirect means centred around board control is crucial to maintain the upper hand in the duel.
With careful planning and strategic plays, the inspiring leader can be checked, and the game steering back into your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ajani, Inspiring Leader MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Ajani, Inspiring Leader and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ajani, Inspiring Leader has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ajani, Inspiring Leader card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-07-12 | Ajani’s last ability affects only creatures you control at the time it resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won’t gain flying or double strike. |
| 2019-07-12 | If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Ajani’s second ability tries to resolve, the ability doesn’t resolve. No player will gain life. |
| 2019-07-12 | You may activate Ajani’s first ability without choosing any target. If you do, you will gain 2 life. However, if you do choose a target and the target creature is an illegal target by the time the ability tries to resolve, the ability doesn’t resolve. You won’t gain 2 life. |