Akuta, Born of Ash MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Released | 2005-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Saviors of Kamigawa |
| Set code | SOK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 61 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ben Thompson |
Text of card
Haste At the beginning of your upkeep, if you have more cards in hand than each opponent, you may sacrifice a Swamp. If you do, return Akuta, Born of Ash from your graveyard to play.
Cards like Akuta, Born of Ash
Akuta, Born of Ash is an intriguing creature card that offers players a unique set of abilities, akin to other graveyard interaction cards within Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Bloodghast which also have the capacity to return from the graveyard to play, granted certain conditions are met. Where Akuta requires you to have exactly four cards in hand, Bloodghast’s revival hinges on a land entering the battlefield under your control.
Analogous to Akuta is the card Nether Spirit, another creature that can recur from the graveyard. Nether Spirit’s condition is a solitary existence in the graveyard to make its comeback. While both Akuta and Nether Spirit set grounds for repeated returns, the uniqueness of Akuta’s four-card condition offers an interesting balancing act for players managing their hand size. Reassembling Skeleton is yet another creature with a revival trait, but it demands an active mana cost and it’s an ability you can execute as many times as your mana pool allows.
Each of these cards facilitates a strategy built around resilience and sustainability, yet Akuta, Born of Ash stands out in how it determines the specific state of the player’s hand, weaving a delicate strand of resourcefulness into the gameplay dynamic.
Cards similar to Akuta, Born of Ash by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Akuta, Born of Ash has the unique ability to return from your graveyard to the battlefield, providing a recurring threat that can lead to a persistent advantage over your opponent. This effect can also be used strategically to get the most out of graveyard synergies within your deck.
Resource Acceleration: By allowing you to effectively reuse mana spent on it from the graveyard, it can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. This can be crucial in the mid to late game where efficient use of resources can determine the outcome of a match.
Instant Speed: Although Akuta itself does not have instant speed, its reanimation trigger from the graveyard can be activated at the end of your opponent’s turn, which can catch them off-guard and ensure that you have a creature on the field ready to attack on your turn, effectively adding a layer of surprise and timing to your strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Akuta, Born of Ash demands that players discard a card when bringing it back from the graveyard. This stipulation can be a significant setback in situations where your hand is already depleted, effectively constraining your strategic options and potentially leaving you at a disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a mix of both black and generic mana, Akuta, Born of Ash necessitates a dedicated black mana base. This requirement can complicate deck building for multicolored decks and reduce the synergy with cards outside of black-centric strategies, possibly hindering its inclusion in more diverse deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its mana cost of four, including three black mana symbols, Akuta, Born of Ash is on the higher end for a 3/2 creature. When assessing its board impact against other creatures and spells available at similar or lower mana costs, players might find that Akuta offers less overall value, which could influence its play rate in competitive formats.
Reasons to Include Akuta, Born of Ash in Your Collection
Versatility: Akuta, Born of Ash provides a unique dimension to graveyard-centric decks. Its ability to return from the graveyard under specific conditions makes it a resilient threat that fits well into self-mill or reanimation strategies.
Combo Potential: This card harmonizes with decks that manipulate the graveyard. By pairing it with cards that discard or put creatures directly into the graveyard, Akuta can often be played at a reduced cost, or even for free, offering a consistent board presence.
Meta-Relevance: As graveyard strategies periodically cycle into the competitive scene, having Akuta ready can give players an edge. It slots well into the current environment that rewards efficient use of the graveyard as a resource.
How to beat
Akuta, Born of Ash is an intriguing creature card that brings a unique challenge to overcome in Magic: The Gathering. Shrouded in the eerie ambiance of the Spirit world, Akuta can resurface from your graveyard at the mere cost of returning a Swamp to your hand. This recurring ability means Akuta can be a persistent nuisance if not addressed correctly.
To effectively counter Akuta, one must consider graveyard disruption or exile effects. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt can purge the graveyard, ensuring Akuta can’t take advantage of its return ability. Moreover, utilizing exile effects within your strategy, such as with Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, can permanently remove Akuta from the game. Timing is crucial too – using instant removal spells like Path to Exile when Akuta resurfaces can eliminate it before it becomes a consistent threat.
Strategies against Akuta often revolve around proactive graveyard control and reactive removal tactics. Keeping Akuta at bay is essential, as its undying presence can tilt the scales in your opponent’s favor. By prioritizing key interactions and utilizing the right counters, players can maintain control of the battlefield against Akuta’s relentless ashes.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Akuta, Born of Ash MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa, 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 Akuta, Born of Ash 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 Akuta, Born of Ash has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Akuta, Born of Ash card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-06-01 | Akuta must already be in your graveyard as your upkeep begins in order for its ability to trigger. |
| 2005-06-01 | In multiplayer games, it checks for each opponent. |