Ancestral Vengeance MTG Card
2015-01-23 - Number 61
2019-11-07 - Number 565
2020-09-26 - Number FRF-61
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature When Ancestral Vengeance enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control. Enchanted creature gets -1/-1.
The defenses of the Abzan extend well beyond the walls of their fortresses.
Cards like Ancestral Vengeance
Ancestral Vengeance is an intriguing black enchantment aura in Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of utility by bestowing a negative buff on opponent’s creatures and simultaneously strengthening your own. When comparing it to other removal or debuff options such as Dead Weight, Ancestral Vengeance presents the added advantage of giving one of your creatures a +1/+1 counter. While Dead Weight only decreases a creature’s power and toughness, it lacks the power-boosting component which can be vital in tipping the scales of a match.
Analogous to Ancestral Vengeance, Disfigure serves a similar purpose by giving a quick -2/-2 to target creature. However, Disfigure does not offer a permanent boost to your own creatures, positioning Ancestral Vengeance as a more strategic option in decks that capitalize on counter mechanics. The duality of weakening an opponent’s creature while empowering your own is what makes Ancestral Vengeance a unique choice for players looking to execute a two-pronged approach during gameplay.
Therefore, within the realm of MTG cards that affect creatures on the board, Ancestral Vengeance stands out. It not only serves as a tool for control but also as a way to strengthen your long-term board presence, an important aspect to consider in deck building and during combat.
Cards similar to Ancestral Vengeance by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ancestral Vengeance can shift the tide by nullifying an opponent’s creature while strengthening your own, effectively dealing with two threats at once, which could offer a significant advantage in certain matchups.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana or acceleration, the card’s ability to potentially remove an opponent’s creature can indirectly accelerate your board presence by allowing your creatures to press the attack or defend without facing certain threats.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Ancestral Vengeance isn’t cast at instant speed, but its strategic placement on your curve can set up future instant-speed plays by preemptively dealing with threats and modifying the board state to your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ancestral Vengeance requires players to have a target creature to place the two -1/-1 counters on, which could be disadvantegous in a board state with no creatures or if you only control creatures you don’t want to weaken.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell demands black mana, which could restrict its deployment in decks that aren’t heavily based on black or lack sufficient mana fixing to accommodate black spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of two black mana, Ancestral Vengeance may be less appealing when compared to other options. Alternatives like lower-cost removal spells or those with more flexible casting costs could be considered more efficient choices depending on the deck’s strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ancestral Vengeance is a flexible tool, fitting well into black decks that thrive on removing threats and disrupting opponent strategies. This card can significantly impact games by weakening one creature while strengthening another, bolstering your defensive lines or offensive capabilities.
Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergy with effects that care about target creature’s power or toughness. It can be used in conjunction with sacrifice mechanics or cards that take advantage of -1/-1 counters, offering an extra layer of depth to your strategic plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to alter creature stats, Ancestral Vengeance proves relevant in meta environments that are creature-dense or where maintaining board control is crucial. Its usage can tilt the balance of creature combat in your favor, positioning you advantageously against the current trends in play.
How to beat
Ancestral Vengeance is an intriguing card in the realm of buffs and debuffs within Magic: The Gathering. Its allure lies in its power to not only place two -1/-1 counters on a target creature, potentially diminishing an opposing threat, but it also bolsters your own side by strengthening a creature you control. This dual functionality can sway the course of a match, tipping the balance in your favor.
To successfully navigate the challenges posed by Ancestral Vengeance, consider the timing and selection of your targets. Using instant-speed removal spells can counteract the initial impact of this card by eliminating the buffed creature before the -1/-1 counters come into effect. In addition, cards that can neutralize -1/-1 counters or grant indestructibility to your threatened creatures can nullify the threat. Strategic play that prioritizes board control and proactive responses can greatly reduce Ancestral Vengeance’s potency in a game.
In essence, overcoming Ancestral Vengeance requires a blend of anticipation and resourcefulness. Managing board state effectively and deploying timely removal or protection can ensure that this card’s impact is minimized, preserving your lead and maintaining the upper hand in the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ancestral Vengeance MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Mystery Booster, 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 Ancestral Vengeance 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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Printings
The Ancestral Vengeance Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Yohann Schepacz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yohann Schepacz | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 565 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yohann Schepacz | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | FRF-61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yohann Schepacz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ancestral Vengeance has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ancestral Vengeance card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | If Ancestral Vengeance causes the enchanted creature to have toughness 0, that creature and Ancestral Vengeance will be put into their owners’ graveyards. The enters-the-battlefield ability will still apply. |
| 2014-11-24 | If the creature targeted by Ancestral Vengeance’s enchant creature ability is an illegal target as Ancestral Vengeance tries to resolve, Ancestral Vengeance won’t resolve. It won’t enter the battlefield, and its enters-the-battlefield ability won’t trigger. |