Ashiok's Forerunner MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Flash |
| Released | 2020-01-24 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Theros Beyond Death |
| Set code | THB |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 277 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Johannes Voss |
Text of card
Flash When Ashiok's Forerunner enters the battlefield, you may search your library and/or graveyard for a card named Ashiok, Sculptor of Fears, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you search your library this way, shuffle it.
"Every dream is a doorway."
Cards like Ashiok's Forerunner
Ashiok’s Forerunner makes a notable splash in Magic: The Gathering as a creature that advances your gameplay by fetching any card with Ashiok in its title from your deck. This specific trait bear similarities with other tutor cards, yet its exclusivity to Ashiok cards is a defining characteristic. Cards like Fierce Empath also fetches specific kinds of cards, in its case creatures with a certain power, thereby offering a predictable yet narrower field of selection.
Another relative in this niche is Thalia’s Lancers, which allows a search for legendary cards. While this card provides a broader range to choose from, it doesn’t have the tribal synergies that Ashiok’s Forerunner does with Ashiok planeswalkers. The Forerunner, therefore, not only tutors but also bolsters synergy among cards focused on the Ashiok theme, streamlining deck strategies effectively.
When it comes to fine-tuning a deck with a distinct focus on Ashiok planeswalkers, Ashiok’s Forerunner stands out for the utility of fetching the key card you need to shape the course of the game. The specialized nature of its ability ensures that decks using it have a strong tutor effect linked with the potential powerful plays that Ashiok cards can facilitate.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ashiok’s Forerunner enhances your strategic depth by letting you sift through the top cards of your library, providing a valuable selection process to ensure you draw into the cards you need.
Resource Acceleration: This card offers an indirect form of resource acceleration. By filtering your top deck, it ensures that you’re more likely to draw into your mana sources or key spells that can propel you ahead of your opponent.
Instant Speed: As a spell that can be played at instant speed, Ashiok’s Forerunner gives you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn. This allows you to keep your options open and respond to your opponent’s moves with precision.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To unleash Ashiok’s Forerunner’s abilities, players are compelled to discard a card. In situations where hand size is depleted or every card is vital, this requirement can backfire and cost valuable card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana colors to cast, potentially constraining deck-building options. Players not running a deck with the necessary color combination may find it difficult to integrate Ashiok’s Forerunner into their strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Charging a significant amount of mana, Ashiok’s Forerunner’s costliness can be a detriment. There are cards with lower mana requirements that can provide a similar or better impact on the game much earlier, making them more viable in a fast-paced match.
Reasons to Include Ashiok’s Forerunner in Your Collection
Versatility: Ashiok’s Forerunner stands out due to its adaptability, fitting seamlessly into various decks, particularly those seeking to leverage the powers of nightmares and milling strategies. Its ability to affect the board immediately upon arrival makes it a flexible choice for many game situations.
Combo Potential: This card pairs exceptionally well with other Ashiok-themed cards or any decks that thrive on opponent disruption. Given its aptitude for extracting key components from your adversary’s arsenal, it amplifies the impact of mill and control combos, making it a daunting force within a synergized deck.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the current dynamics, where control decks remain a staple, Ashiok’s Forerunner is particularly apt at countering strategies reliant on a single powerful graveyard. Its proactive disruption capabilities can be a game-changer by hindering opponents’ plans and providing you with a decisive edge during the match.
How to beat
Ashiok’s Forerunner is a card that brings an interesting dynamic to the battlefield in MTG. Its ability to grant all Nightmare creatures you control hexproof is both a defensive and strategic advantage. Yet, despite this protective feature, the Forerunner isn’t invincible. To effectively counter this threat, consider using board wipes that don’t target individual creatures, thus circumventing its hexproof grant. Global removal spells like “Shatter the Sky” or “Damnation” can clear the field without needing to target the nightmares directly.
Another strategy is to hinder the Forerunner’s casting before it can affect the board. Spells that counter creature spells, like “Negate” or “Essence Scatter,” can stop Ashiok’s Forerunner in its tracks. If the Forerunner has already landed, controlling the game through hand disruption mechanics can limit the number of nightmare creatures your opponent can field, thereby reducing the card’s influence. Cards like “Thoughtseize” or “Inquisition of Kozilek” are excellent for this tactic.
In essence, while Ashiok’s Forerunner might appear daunting with its ability to shield other creatures, several angles of attack can be employed to neutralize its impact on the game. Engagement with a combination of global removals, counterspells, and disruption can effectively counteract the Forerunner’s strengths.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ashiok's Forerunner MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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's Forerunner 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 Ashiok's Forerunner has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.