Ashling, the Extinguisher MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Elemental Shaman
Released	2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set name	Eventide
Set code	EVE
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	33
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne Reynolds

Key Takeaways

Ashling offers card advantage by destroying creatures each turn, unsettling opponents’ strategies and board states.
Synergizes well with sacrifice and death trigger mechanics, leading to resource acceleration and board control.
While potent, Ashling’s specific mana requirements and discard condition may limit its inclusion in diverse decks.

Text of card

Whenever Ashling, the Extinguisher deals combat damage to a player, choose target creature that player controls. He or she sacrifices that creature.

The Aurora had transformed her into a relentless force of destruction.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ashling, the Extinguisher’s ability to target and destroy a creature each time it connects with an opponent ensures a continual thinning of your opponents’ board presence. This repeated removal not only disrupts their strategy, but also tips the scales in your favor by maintaining superior board state, which is a key to winning.

Resource Acceleration: In a deck built around sacrifice mechanics or death triggers, Ashling can be a catalyst for accelerating your resources. Eliminating creatures can synergize with cards that capitalize on death triggers, granting you access to additional mana, card draw, or other resources.

Instant Speed: While Ashling itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, her ability to unnerve your opponent is significant. The threat of activation can deter them from attacking or blocking, as they must always consider the potential for Ashling to eliminate key creatures at the most inconvenient times. This allows you to dictate the flow of battle, holding control at crucial moments in the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the context of Ashling, the Extinguisher, while there is no direct discard requirement, there is an implicit one due to her unique ability. Whenever Ashling successfully attacks and isn’t blocked, you must choose and discard a card in order to fully utilize her potential, which can strain your hand if you’re not adequately prepared.

Specific Mana Cost: Ashling’s casting cost necessitates a specific mana alignment, requiring two black mana to summon her. This can be restrictive as it demands a solid black mana base, making her less flexible in multicolored decks that might not focus on black mana or lack sufficient mana fixing to reliably cast her on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including the specific color requirement, Ashling, the Extinguisher may be seen as having a high mana investment compared to other creatures of similar power. Her ability, potent as it may be, is often compared against other creatures or removal options available within the same mana bracket, leading some players to choose more mana-efficient alternatives.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ashling, the Extinguisher offers flexibility to any deck build around control or removal. Capable of selectively eliminating threats, it acts as a repeatable source of targeted creature removal that can adapt to a wide array of tactical situations.

Combo Potential: This card becomes a lynchpin in setups aiming to capitalize on death triggers or reanimation tactics. Its ability to dispatch key opponents’ creatures can seamlessly turn the tides, especially with enablers that can untap Ashling or manipulate the number of creatures on the board.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Ashling, the Extinguisher gains significant value. Its relevance in disrupting opposing boards makes it a prudent choice, particularly when faced with indestructible or hexproof threats that are otherwise difficult to handle.

How to beat

Ashling, the Extinguisher is a unique card that demands a tactical approach in the world of MTG. Unlike conventional removal spells, Ashling brings a reusable creature destruction ability at the cost of combat participation. This requires the player to strategize the moment of attack carefully to make the most of her potential.

One of the best strategies to overcome Ashling’s impact is to control combat opportunities. Utilizing spells that can tap or otherwise incapacitate Ashling can prevent her from attacking and triggering her effect. Moreover, protecting valuable creatures with hexproof or shroud abilities denies the target that Ashling’s ability necessitates, making her an ineffective piece on the board.

Adding to these methods, circumventing Ashling with removal spells or abilities of your own is essential in minimizing her threat. Quick and cost-effective removal spells or creatures with come-into-play effects that remove other creatures can keep Ashling from becoming an issue. In the rapidly evolving game of MTG, being prepared with the right answers is key to taking control of the match and emerging victorious against challenging cards like Ashling, the Extinguisher.

Cards like Ashling, the Extinguisher

When discussing unique MTG characters, Ashling, the Extinguisher looms large in the realm of efficient creature control. This card echoes some of the capabilities found in other similar cards, bringing its own sinister twist to the table. Royal Assassin, for instance, is a classic choice for dealing with enemy creatures efficiently. However, unlike Ashling which requires no tap action but rather a successful attack to force an opponent to sacrifice a creature, Royal Assassin targets tapped creatures to destroy, necessitating a more passive setup.

Another comparison is made with the card Avatar of Woe. With the power to destroy any target creature with no cost once there are ample creatures in the graveyard, Avatar of Woe operates on a different axis of play, yet fulfills a somewhat similar role as a formidable remover.

Each of these cards offers distinct advantages and strategic depth to gameplay. While Ashling, the Extinguisher demands more aggressive tactics, its ability to consistently disrupt opponents’ boards gives it a potent edge, allowing players to apply pressure while still maintaining control.

Cards similar to Ashling, the Extinguisher by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ashling, the Extinguisher MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Ashling, the Extinguisher and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ashling, the Extinguisher has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ashling, the Extinguisher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2013-07-01	The target of the ability is chosen when Ashling’s ability is put on the stack. When the ability resolves, the player dealt combat damage by Ashling sacrifices that creature if they still control it. Neither regeneration nor indestructible can save a creature from being sacrificed.