Invasion of Azgol // Ashen Reaper MTG Card
2023-04-21 - Number 232
2023-04-21 - Number 46
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Elemental |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Menace At the beginning of your end step, put a +1/+1 counter on Ashen Reaper if a permanent was put into a graveyard from the battlefield this turn.
Eternal hatred fuels eternal fire.
Cards like Invasion of Azgol // Ashen Reaper
Ashen Reaper finds its place in the realm of mid-to-late game MTG creatures that flex their muscle through board presence and graveyard interactions. It often draws comparisons with cards like Dread Wanderer due to its capability to rise from the graveyard and rejoin the fray. While Ashen Reaper’s conditions for returning to play may differ, both cards showcase the resiliency typical of black creature spells.
Another similar card worthy of mention is Gutterbones, which, like Ashen Reaper, hinges on specific conditions to be met before it can return from the graveyard. These cards give players persistent threats and maintain pressure on the opponent. However, Ashen Reaper stands out with its potential impact on the battlefield, potentially yielding significant advantage if the conditions are right. The nuanced differences in recursion mechanics can significantly influence deck building strategies and in-game decisions.
By weighing the pros and cons of Ashen Reaper against its relatives in the MTG world, savvy players can tailor their decks to leverage its unique recursion ability, fortifying their position in the later stages of the game where resilience can turn the tide in their favor.
Cards similar to Invasion of Azgol // Ashen Reaper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ashen Reaper rewards players by drawing a card upon entering the battlefield, ensuring that your hand remains equipped with options and increasing overall card economy during the late game.
Resource Acceleration: The mechanic associated with Ashen Reaper provides an avenue for accelerating resources by potentially enabling the casting of high-cost spells or activating abilities that require a substantial mana investment earlier than expected.
Instant Speed: Ashen Reaper’s flash ability permits players to cast it at instant speed, offering the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s moves or to surprise them with a blocker when they least expect it, thus maintaining strategic control of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ashen Reaper demands a card discard to trigger its abilities. This can pose a challenge when your hand is lacking alternatives, effectively narrowing your strategic options and possibly hindering your gameplay momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting demands a very specific mana configuration, requiring both black and other colors. This can prove troublesome in mana-scarce situations or in decks that are not finely tuned for such a stringent mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher side for its effects, the Ashen Reaper faces stiff competition from other creatures in the same bracket. Players might find more efficient options that provide similar benefits without the steep resource investment.
Reasons to Include Ashen Reaper in Your Collection
Versatility: Ashen Reaper integrates seamlessly into various deck archetypes, particularly those that exploit graveyard mechanics or require robust finishers. Its ability to function as both an offensive threat and an enabler for other strategies makes it a noteworthy addition to any collection.
Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with self-mill and reanimation effects allows for powerful combinations. Engaging with decks that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the graveyard could amplify its inherent value, providing strategic depth to your plays.
Meta-Relevance: In environments saturated with creature-based strategies, Ashen Reaper’s potential for board impact and game swing puts it on the map. Its presence honors the shifting dynamics of the current meta, positioning itself as a considerable choice for those looking to adjust and thrive within the competitive scene.
How to beat
Ashen Reaper is a card that can pose a daunting challenge in any MTG game. Its strength lies in its aggressive stats and typically the daunting task of needing to deal with it more than once due to its undying ability. When it dies without any +1/+1 counters on it, it returns to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter, ready to trouble you again.
To tackle Ashen Reaper effectively, it’s crucial to employ exile removal spells or abilities. These ensure that the creature doesn’t return once it’s dealt with. Cards like Path to Exile or Dire Tactics for non-human creatures can be great solutions. Utilizing graveyard hate mechanics can also be an efficient strategy. Cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus can preemptively address the undying ability by removing it from the game entirely.
Additionally, controlling the battlefield by minimizing the number of creatures that die can prevent the Ashen Reaper from returning with the undying boost. This involves being tactical about combat and managing threats judiciously. With the right removal and strategic play, Ashen Reaper can be effectively neutralized, limiting its impact on your gameplan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ashen Reaper // Ashen Reaper MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine Art Series and March of the Machine, 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 Ashen Reaper // Ashen Reaper and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Ashen Reaper // Ashen Reaper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-04-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Joshua Raphael.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March of the Machine Art Series | AMOM | 46 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Joshua Raphael | ||
| 2 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine | MOM | 232 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Joshua Raphael |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Invasion of Azgol // Ashen Reaper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Invasion of Azgol // Ashen Reaper card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-04-14 | A Siege’s controller can’t be its protector. If a Siege’s protector ever gains control of it, they choose a new player to be its protector. This is a state-based action. |
| 2023-04-14 | A battle can be attacked by all players other than its protector. Notably, this means a Siege’s controller can attack it. |
| 2023-04-14 | A battle can be dealt damage and be target of spells and/or abilities that target “any target.” |
| 2023-04-14 | A battle’s “defense” is displayed in the bottom right corner of the card. A battle enters the battlefield with that number of defense counters. If another permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a battle, it also enters with that number of defense counters. |
| 2023-04-14 | As a Siege enters the battlefield, its controller chooses an opponent to be its protector. |
| 2023-04-14 | Ashen Reaper’s ability triggers at the beginning of each of your end steps, even if nothing has entered any graveyard that turn. The ability checks as it resolves whether to put a +1/+1 counter on Ashen Reaper or not. This means the ability will count any permanent that’s put into a graveyard in response to the ability. |
| 2023-04-14 | Battles can’t attack or block, even if one also becomes a creature. If an attacking or blocking creature somehow becomes a battle in addition to being a creature, it is removed from combat. |
| 2023-04-14 | Damage dealt to a battle causes that many defense counters to be removed from it. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a Siege never had defense counters on it (perhaps because a permanent became a copy of one), it can’t have its last defense counter removed. It will be put into its owner’s graveyard. You won’t exile it or cast the other face. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a battle has no defense counters, and it isn’t the source of a triggered ability that has triggered but not yet left the stack, that battle is put into its owner’s graveyard. This is a state-based action. This doesn’t cause a Siege’s intrinsic triggered ability to trigger. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a battle that’s being attacked somehow stops being a battle, it is removed from combat. Similarly, if its controller changes in the middle of combat, it is removed from combat. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a non-battle permanent that is already on the battlefield become a copy of a Siege, its controller chooses one of their opponents to be that battle’s protector. However, it will most likely be put into its owner’s graveyard because it has no defense counters (see below). |
| 2023-04-14 | If a nontoken permanent is put into a graveyard, it doesn’t matter what happens to the permanent card afterward. Ashen Reaper’s ability will count it even if the card has left the graveyard by the time the ability resolves. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a permanent that is represented by a transforming double-faced card becomes a copy of a Siege, it will be exiled as that Siege’s triggered ability resolves, then it will be cast transformed. Note that this applies only to transforming double-faced cards, not to modal double-faced cards that can normally be played using either face. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a token or a card that isn’t represented by a transforming double-faced card becomes a copy of a Siege, it can’t be cast as its triggered ability resolves. It will remain in exile. If it’s a token, it will cease to exist the next time state-based actions are performed. |
| 2023-04-14 | In a multiplayer game, if the protector of a battle leaves the game and that battle is not currently being attacked, its controller chooses a new protector for it as a state-based action. If it is being attacked, its controller chooses a new protector for it once no creatures are attacking it. This means that it continues to be attacked and can be dealt combat damage as normal. |
| 2023-04-14 | Only creatures controlled by a battle’s protector can block creatures that are attacking that battle. This means a Siege’s controller can never assign creatures to block for it. |
| 2023-04-14 | Sieges each have an intrinsic triggered ability. That ability is “When the last defense counter is removed from this permanent, exile it, then you may cast it transformed without paying its mana cost.” |
| 2023-04-14 | The ability will count any permanent that was put into a graveyard, including token permanents. |