Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator MTG Card
2023-09-08 - Number 297
2023-09-08 - Number 78s
2023-09-08 - Number 78
2023-09-08 - Number 78p
2023-09-08 - Number 10
2023-09-08 - Number 57
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Planeswalker — Ashiok |
| Loyalty | 5 |
Key Takeaways
- Ashiok’s card advantage comes from exiling and spell casting capabilities, leveraging an opponent’s library.
- Nightmare tokens contribute to resource acceleration, enabling quicker deployment of high-cost spells.
- Disruption at instant speed with Ashiok adds versatility, enabling strategic plays during opponent’s turns.
Text of card
If you would pay life while your library has at least that many cards in it, exile that many cards from the top of your library instead. +1: Look at the top two cards of your library. Exile one of them and put the other into your hand. −2: Create two 1/1 black Nightmare creature tokens with "At the beginning of combat on your turn, if a card was put into exile this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature." −7: Target player exiles the top X cards of their library, where X is the total mana value of cards you own in exile.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator offers extensive card advantage by exiling cards from an opponent’s library and providing the option to cast those spells. This dynamic allows players to utilize their opponent’s resources, turning the game in their favor as they access a broader range of strategies and answers.
Resource Acceleration: By generating nightmare tokens that double as mana sources, this card can significantly ramp up your resource pool. This acceleration is critical in powering out high-cost spells earlier than usual, giving players a head start in overwhelming their opponents.
Instant Speed: This card disrupts at instant speed, which makes it an extremely versatile tool. Players can wait until the most opportune moment, such as during an opponent’s draw phase, to activate Ashiok’s abilities, keeping opponents on their toes and potentially throwing off their planned plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator compels players to discard cards, which could be detrimental during a game where maintaining a full hand is crucial to your strategy. This aspect of the card necessitates careful deliberation over the timing of its use, as it can backfire if your card advantage is already low.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a Blue and Black mana cost, this planeswalker necessitates a commitment to those colors in your deck’s mana base, potentially limiting its inclusion exclusively to Dimir or multicolored decks that can accommodate such a cost without stretching the mana base too thin.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its initial impact on the game, Ashiok demands an immediate investment that may not match the speed and efficiency of other cards at a similar mana value. In fast-paced games, this can put you at a disadvantage as you may not effectively capitalize on its abilities early enough.
Reasons to Include Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator in Your Collection
Versatility: Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator is a dynamic card that can be slotted into various decks. Its ability to disrupt the opponent’s strategies by exiling cards pairs well with control and midrange decks, effectively countering a range of archetypes.
Combo Potential: Ashiok’s skills in milling and exile synergize with graveyard-based strategies. Teaming up with cards that benefit from opponents’ graveyards being filled can create formidable combos that dominate the board.
Meta-Relevance: With a metagame that often shifts towards reliance on graveyard mechanics, Ashiok’s exile abilities remain particularly effective. Such traits can tilt the battlefield in your favor and make Ashiok a valuable asset against the prevalent strategies.
How to beat Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator
In the diverse universe of Magic: The Gathering, Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator, emerges as a formidable planeswalker. As a specialist in mind games, Ashiok has the power to sow chaos in your opponent’s strategy with deft milling and haunting dream manipulation abilities. To counter Ashiok effectively, one must employ precise tactics.
One approach is through aggressive strategies that focus on dealing damage quickly, as applying pressure can prevent your opponent from establishing a stronghold with Ashiok. Alternately, direct removal spells are essential – Versatile options like Murder or Hero’s Downfall can dispatch Ashiok before their influence becomes overwhelming. Other players might consider running counter-magic to prevent Ashiok from hitting the board in the first place, making Dispel or Negate invaluable components in your arsenal.
Remember that Ashiok thrives in a game of attrition, so maintaining a proactive gameplan and being ready to adapt is key. Whether you’re seeking to neutralize Ashiok’s influence or circumnavigate their nightmarish powers, knowing how to undermine this adversary is crucial for any Magic: The Gathering enthusiast eyeing victory.
Cards like Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator
Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator, brings a unique flavor to the Planeswalker lineup in MTG. It mirrors the abilities of other nightmare weavers, like Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, which also excels at casting fear and confusion among opponents by exiling cards. Both share the terrifying trait of utilizing an opponent’s resources against them, although Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator extends this strategy further by creating creature tokens that tap into the exiled card’s characteristics.
Another comparable card is Glimpse the Unthinkable. This potent spell doesn’t share the Planeswalker type with Ashiok but furthers the mill strategy by directly placing cards from a player’s library into their graveyard. However, it falls short of Ashiok’s ability to influence the battlefield with converted creature tokens. Meanwhile, Jace, Memory Adept, stands as another Planeswalker alternative, offering a varied set of tools for deck manipulation, yet it doesn’t impact the battlefield in the same insidious manner as Ashiok, who siphons and repurposes an opponent’s grave resources.
When choosing a Planeswalker to spearhead your milling strategy within MTG, Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator emerges as an enticing option that disrupts your adversary’s game plan while simultaneously providing a path to victory with its creature conversion dynamism.
Cards similar to Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator // Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine Art Series and Wilds of Eldraine Art Series, 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 Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator // Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator and other MTG cards:
- eBay
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- Card Market
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Printings
The Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator // Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilds of Eldraine Art Series | AWOE | 10 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 2 | Wilds of Eldraine Art Series | AWOE | 57 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 3 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 297 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Serena Malyon | |
| 4 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Promos | PWOE | 78s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland | |
| 5 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland | |
| 6 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Promos | PWOE | 78p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator 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 Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-09-01 | Ashiok's first ability doesn't allow you to attempt to pay an amount of life greater than your current life total. |
| 2023-09-01 | Ashiok, Wicked Nightmare's first ability isn't optional. You can't choose to pay life instead of exiling cards from the top of your library while you control Ashiok, and you can't split the payment between life and cards. |
| 2023-09-01 | If you would pay life while you control Ashiok and your library does not have at least that many cards in it, you'll just pay life as normal. |