Assimilate Essence MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Incubate,Transform |
| Released | 2023-04-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | March of the Machine |
| Set code | MOM |
| Number | 47 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Konstantin Porubov |
Text of card
Counter target creature or battle spell unless its controller pays . If they do, you incubate 2. (Create an Incubator token with two +1/+1 counters on it and ": Transform this artifact." It transforms into a 0/0 Phyrexian artifact creature.)
"You have no viable escape vector. Cease your resistance and accept perfection."
Cards like Assimilate Essence
Assimilate Essence adds nuance to the roster of countermagic in Magic: The Gathering. In a crowd that includes staples like Cancel, this card distinguishes itself by granting the additional boon of life restoration. Cancel performs the primary function of negating spells but without the life gain that Assimilate Essence offers. Exploring further, Absorb is another counter spell that also provides life gain, but at a different mana cost, highlighting the delicate balance each card maintains in a player’s arsenal.
For those acquainted with Dovin’s Veto, the comparison is intriguing. While Dovin’s Veto offers unparalleled countering power by making it impossible to counter in return, it lacks Assimilate Essence’s feature of restoring a player’s life total. This is an essential consideration for any deck that aims to prolong the game and outlast opponents. Lastly, Mana Leak stands out with its low cost, yet it doesn’t secure the absolute negation Assimilate Essence promises, as opponents can circumvent it by paying additional mana.
All in all, Assimilate Essence provides MTG players with a unique blend of defense and life gain, making it an adaptable choice for control strategies that value endurance as much as cancellation power.
Cards similar to Assimilate Essence by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Assimilate Essence. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bant Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 11 2024 | |
 | Mono-Blue Tempo | Standard | Mono-Blue Tempo | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Assimilate Essence shines by offering a draw of three cards, significantly contributing to card advantage and giving you more options for future plays.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does this card provide a boost to your hand, but it also adds mana to your pool equal to the highest converted mana cost among the drawn cards, a substantial edge for ramping up your resources.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Assimilate Essence at instant speed means you can adapt to the board state as it unfolds, surprise your opponent, and optimally utilize your mana, potentially during their end step.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Assimilate Essence is that it necessitates discarding a card from your hand. This can be particularly taxing in stages of the game where maintaining card advantage is critical. Facing down this requirement can force a player into tough decisions, especially if their hand is already depleted or contains high-value cards crucial for upcoming turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Assimilate Essence’s mana cost is color-intensive, requiring both blue and black mana. This specificity can hinder the card’s flexibility, making it a less attractive option for players who are running multicolored decks that may not have consistent access to both types of mana when needed. It’s a barrier for inclusion outside two-color decks and could render the card a dead draw in the wrong situation.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the effects of Assimilate Essence can be game-changing, its mana cost is on the higher side when compared with other spells in the card pool that provide similar effects. This could make it a less than ideal choice during deck building when considering the curve and efficiency of card selection. Players must weigh the cost against the potential impact on the game and decide if it is worth the slot in their deck.
Reasons to Include Assimilate Essence in Your Collection
Versatility: Assimilate Essence can be a versatile addition to any deck that thrives on managing the stack and leveraging spell copies. It provides strategic flexibility by allowing you to duplicate your spells or disrupt an opponent’s crucial play.
Combo Potential: With Assimilate Essence, players can unleash powerful combos by copying their own high-impact spells or even redirecting an opponent’s spell for their own benefit, seamlessly integrating with decks built around spell-slinging synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where instant-speed interactions can determine victory or defeat, Assimilate Essence holds relevance. Its ability to interact with opponents’ spells while furthering your own game plan ensures it’s a contemporary addition to collections poised to tackle diverse meta challenges.
How to beat Assimilate Essence
Assimilate Essence is an intriguing card in the world of Magic the Gathering that can pose a real challenge if not tackled correctly. When facing cards like Assimilate Essence, one must consider the resource commitment it requires from the opponent and the potential card advantage it provides them. This spell, known for its capacity to disrupt strategies by countering key spells while also gaining life, demands a keen understanding of timing and spell management.
Overcoming the obstacle of Assimilate Essence involves playing around the opponent’s available mana and carefully choosing the spells you cast when Assimilate Essence could be in their hand. Utilizing low-cost spells to bait out counters or playing at a point when the opponent’s mana is tapped can be effective. Additionally, having spells with uncounterable clauses or abilities that provide card draw or resource gain irrespective of being countered can diminish the setback caused by Assimilate Essence.
Strategic deck building can counteract Assimilate Essence’s effects as well. Incorporating cards that can’t be countered, or using instant-speed spells at times when your opponent might be unwilling to use their mana, can ensure your game plan proceeds smoothly without falling victim to this powerful counter spell.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Assimilate Essence MTG card by a specific set like 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 Assimilate Essence 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 Assimilate Essence has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |