Abzan Ascendancy MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides immediate board advantage with +1/+1 counters on all creatures increasing their threat level.
  2. Ensures continuous board presence by generating Spirit tokens after non-token creatures perish.
  3. Instant speed token creation off-sets removals, maintaining board state through opponents’ turns.

Text of card

When Abzan Ascendancy enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control. Whenever a nontoken creature you control dies, put a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Upon entering the battlefield, Abzan Ascendancy bestows a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control, bolstering your army’s presence and making each of your creatures a more formidable threat. This creates an immediate impact on the board, tipping the scales in your favor and increasing your capacity to overpower the opponent through sheer force.

Resource Acceleration: Abzan Ascendancy offers resource acceleration not by granting additional mana but by spawning a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying whenever a non-token creature you control dies. This feature ensures that your resources are continuously replenishing, maintaining pressure on the opponent and providing fodder for sacrificial or synergistic effects inherent in the Abzan archetype.

Instant Speed: While Abzan Ascendancy itself is an enchantment and doesn’t operate at instant speed, its effect creates a redundant value independent of your turns. The ability to generate tokens upon death of your creatures can disrupt the opponent’s strategy at any moment during the game, effectively acting as a deterrent against board wipes or removal spells, as your board presence will persist and evolve beyond the casting of the ascendancy itself.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Abzan Ascendancy card requires careful hand management as it does not inherently provide card advantage, potentially putting the player at a resource deficit.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana composition (white, black, and green), which may not seamlessly integrate into multicolored decks that don’t align with the Abzan color identity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three different mana colors, Abzan Ascendancy competes with other spells in its casting range that may offer more immediate impact or value to the player.


Reasons to Include Abzan Ascendancy in Your Collection

Versatility: Abzan Ascendancy offers a unique advantage as it can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes, particularly those looking to utilize a +1/+1 counters strategy or seeking an enduring board presence after a sweep.

Combo Potential: This card excels in synergistic environments where triggering ‘enters the battlefield’ or ‘dies’ effects can turn the tide of a game. Its ability to leave behind a Spirit token when a nontoken creature dies opens up avenues for multiple combo interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Abzan Ascendancy shines by providing your creatures an immediate boost and a resilience against removal, which can be critical for maintaining tempo and board dominance.


How to Beat Abzan Ascendancy

Abzan Ascendancy presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in MTG. This enchantment bolsters your creatures with +1/+1 counters and leaves behind a spirit token whenever a nontoken creature you control dies. Overcoming this resilience requires smart plays and strategic removal.

One key approach is using enchantment removal spells such as Disenchant or Mortify, which can directly target and eliminate Abzan Ascendancy before its effects multiply. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation are also effective, as they can clear both the pumped creatures and the tokens generated after its removal.

Graveyard hate cards play a crucial role as well. With cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, you can prevent the spirit tokens from appearing altogether, undermining the strategy that Abzan Ascendancy aims to establish.

Players can also focus on preventing the enchantment from hitting the board by using counterspells or discard strategies. Thoughtseize and Counterspell are helpful tools for pre-emptively dealing with such threats. Ultimately, the key lies in timing and the efficient use of your removal resources to mitigate the advantage Abzan Ascendancy brings to your opponent.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the synergy and resilience that Abzan Ascendancy brings to your MTG gameplay takes finesse and strategic awareness. Balancing its pros and cons, it’s a card that can fortify your battlefield position and drive powerful combo plays or maintain a presence post-sweep. Whether you’re countering board wipes or building a robust token strategy, the ascendancy can be a game-changer. Looking for ways to optimize your deck’s performance and edge out competition with this enchanting card? Dive deeper with us for insights on making the most of Abzan Ascendancy’s unique potential in your deck-building adventures.


Cards like Abzan Ascendancy

Abzan Ascendancy adds a layer of flexibility to the counter strategies available in Magic: The Gathering. It mimics the demeanor of cards like Cathars’ Crusade, which is another powerhouse for generating +1/+1 counters. Yet, Abzan Ascendancy brings a unique twist; upon entry it immediately bolsters your existing board with a +1/+1 counter for each creature under your control. Additionally, when your non-token creatures die, it replaces them with a 1/1 white Spirit creature token, ensuring your side of the battlefield is never barren.

Comparable in its ability to create creature tokens is Field of Souls. Whenever a nontoken creature is put into your graveyard from the battlefield, Field of Souls will create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying. While it doesn’t enhance your creatures the way Abzan Ascendancy does, its focus on token generation aligns closely.

Examining these synergies, it’s clear that Abzan Ascendancy provides both an immediate and a long-term benefit, fitting well into decks that capitalize on creature presence and resilience. Its dual capacity for bolstering forces and sustainability after a loss makes it well-suited for strategies that aim to always maintain a threatening board state.

Cathars' Crusade - MTG Card versions
Field of Souls - MTG Card versions
Cathars' Crusade - MTG Card versions
Field of Souls - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Abzan Ascendancy by color, type and mana cost

Overgrown Estate - MTG Card versions
Death's Oasis - MTG Card versions
Overgrown Estate - MTG Card versions
Death's Oasis - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Abzan Ascendancy MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Khans of Tarkir Promos, 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 Abzan Ascendancy and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Abzan Ascendancy Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Mark Winters.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 1602015NormalBlackMark Winters
22014-09-26Khans of Tarkir PromosPKTK 160s2015NormalBlackMark Winters
32020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1982015NormalBlackMark Winters
42022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 1652015NormalBlackMark Winters
52022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4672015NormalBlackMark Winters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Abzan Ascendancy has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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