Lair of the Ashen Idol MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Plane — Azgol |
| Released | 2018-12-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Planechase Anthology Planes |
| Set code | OPCA |
| Number | 46 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Planar |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Philip Straub |
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a creature. If you can't, planeswalk. Whenever you roll {Chaos}, any number of target players each put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield.
Cards like Lair of the Ashen Idol
Lair of the Ashen Idol emerges as a unique land card among others in Magic the Gathering. It has a resemblance to spells such as Interplanar Beacon which also serves as a mana filter for casting Planeswalkers. However, Lair of the Ashen Idol stands out by offering a bonus creature in the form of a colorless Golem artifact creature token. Interplanar Beacon lacks this feature, although it provides a life gain when casting Planeswalkers.
Shifting our attention to Cryptic Caves, we can spot a similarity in the one-time card advantage. Cryptic Caves allows a player to draw a card at the expense of sacrificing the land itself, much like Lair of the Ashen Idol asks for the land to be sacrificed in exchange for a creature token. Despite that, Cryptic Caves doesn’t contribute to the player’s creature base.
Evaluating these cards’ advantages and roles in the game, Lair of the Ashen Idol finds a spot in MTG where resource versatility and creature token generation combine, providing strategic depth and tactical options that extend beyond the capacities of similar cards within the realm of land spells.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lair of the Ashen Idol stands out as a distinct choice for those looking for card advantage. Its ability to filter through your deck can substantially increase the probability of drawing the necessary components for your in-game strategy. With it, the potential to selectively exile a card from your hand and then play that card later can keep you ahead in the card count battle.
Resource Acceleration: This special land card is paramount in mana ramp strategies because it not just taps for mana, but also can morph into a creature that stylishly produces mana of any color. This versatility is key in decks that require various mana sources quickly, catapulting you towards casting high-cost spells sooner than expected.
Instant Speed: The transformation ability of Lair of the Ashen Idol, which can be activated at instant speed, is a remarkable feature that introduces tactical flexibility. It lets players adapt to the dynamic nature of games, deciding whether to use it for mana or to unveil the creature within at a moment’s notice. This adaptability is crucial in outmaneuvering opponents and seizing opportunities as they arise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lair of the Ashen Idol’s activated ability requires you to discard a creature card to transform it. This could potentially set you back if you’re trying to maintain card advantage or if your hand is sparse on creatures, especially under pressure or during the late game when every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The initial mana cost to play Lair of the Ashen Idol demands a split of both colorless and black mana, which might not align with the mana base of multi-colored decks. This can pose a problem in decks that don’t have a consistent source of black mana making it less adaptable and harder to cast on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to activate the transforming ability of the card is fairly steep, sitting at five mana, including one black. When compared to other cards with transformative capabilities or similar effects, this high cost could prove inefficient, delaying your game development during crucial moments when you could be deploying other impactful spells or creatures.
Reasons to Include Lair of the Ashen Idol in Your Collection
Versatility: Lair of the Ashen Idol brings flexibility to a wide array of decks as it serves as both a land and a potential trigger for graveyard strategies. It can seamlessly fit into decks focusing on landfall abilities or those looking to exploit sacrifice mechanics.
Combo Potential: This card shines as a component in combos, particularly in decks that can capitalize on sacrificing creatures or the land itself. It interacts proficiently with cards that monitor graveyard activity, possibly unlocking powerful plays and synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Considering its capability to fit into multiple strategies, Lair of the Ashen Idol holds its ground in the ever-evolving metagame. It supports various deck archetypes and tactically advances your board state while maintaining land count.
How to beat
The Lair of the Ashen Idol emerges as a nuanced challenge for players in MTG. This particular card is designed with an ability to put pressure on opponents by creating creature tokens, thereby overwhelming them with potential blockers or attackers. But just like any strategy, identifying the card’s weaknesses is key to overcoming this obstacle.
To effectively combat Lair of the Ashen Idol, consider incorporating removal spells that can handle multiple creatures at once. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board of tokens, negating the card’s advantage. Alternatively, focus on enchantment removal options such as Disenchant or Naturalize to directly address the card itself before its ability becomes a significant threat.
Strategically, try to maintain control over the game by managing your resources and keeping the pressure on the idol’s controller. This means keeping their board as clear as possible and being ready to answer the idol when it’s activated. Remember, understanding when to play your removal and managing your turns effectively can make all the difference when standing against the power of the Lair of the Ashen Idol.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lair of the Ashen Idol MTG card by a specific set like Planechase Anthology Planes, 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 Lair of the Ashen Idol 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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Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lair of the Ashen Idol card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-06-01 | If you control a creature when the first ability resolves, you must sacrifice it. |
| 2012-06-01 | You can choose to target zero players with the chaos ability. |