Luminarch Aspirant MTG Card
2020-09-25 - Number 319
2020-09-25 - Number 24
2020-09-25 - Number 24p
2020-09-25 - Number 24s
2022-04-29 - Number 205
2002-06-24 - Number 83812
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
At the beginning of combat on your turn, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.
Cards like Luminarch Aspirant
Exploring the strategic depth of Luminarch Aspirant reveals its unique place in the pantheon of creature-buffing cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares space with the likes of \em>Merrow Reejerey, which also provides a cumulative advantage by empowering other creatures, though geared towards a specific tribe. Luminarch Aspirant, however, is versatile, fitting seamlessly into various deck types by consistently bolstering creatures every combat, not just tribal allies.
Another parallel can be drawn with \em>Elite Scaleguard. While \em>Elite Scaleguard excels at enhancing multiple creatures and controlling combat with its bolster ability, it’s a one-time effect after entering the battlefield and lacks the continuous growth that \em>Luminarch Aspirant offers. Additionally, \em>Luminarch Aspirant is cost-efficient for its value, able to start impacting the board early in the game.
In summary, while there are several cards that function to strengthen creatures in Magic: The Gathering, \em>Luminarch Aspirant stands out for its ability to steadily escalate one’s board presence turn after turn, making it a formidable addition to decks centered around creature synergy.
Cards similar to Luminarch Aspirant by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Luminarch Aspirant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Selesnya Aggro | Vintage | Mono-White Aggro | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-28 |
 | Orzhov Humans | Pioneer | Orzhov Humans | RCQ - Playtime Merate |
| Mono-White Humans | Pioneer | Mono-White Humans | *HALF PRICE FRIDAY* ReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 2:00 pm |
| Selesnya Midrange | Pioneer | Selesnya Midrange | Pioneer League 2024-04-11 |
 | Esper Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024 | |
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | |
| Boros Tokens | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | |
| Mono-White Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024 | |
| Jeskai Tempo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 14 2024 | |
 | Orzhov Angels | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Luminarch Aspirant may not directly allow you to draw cards, but it strategically puts a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control at the beginning of combat on your turn. This consistent buffing provides value that compounds over several turns, akin to generating virtual card advantage by strengthening your board presence without expending additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: With Luminarch Aspirant, the resource acceleration doesn’t come in the form of mana, but rather in the power and toughness of your creatures. It helps you accelerate the game in your favor by making your creatures larger, faster. What this means is you are effective in racing against your opponent, often surpassing their defenses or turning your creatures into formidable blockers sooner than expected.
Instant Speed: While Luminarch Aspirant operates at sorcery speed, being triggered at the beginning of combat, its impact is felt immediately and often forces opponents to react as if it were an instant. Knowing that each turn could exponentially increase the threat on the board, opponents may have to use their instant speed removal prematurely or at inopportune times, distorting the usual pace of the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Luminarch Aspirant doesn’t directly demand a discard, but its low toughness makes it vulnerable to removal, effectively causing a loss of the card and strategy disruption.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires white mana for casting, which could potentially restrict its integration in multicolor decks that may lack sufficient white mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While it costs only two mana, in aggressive white decks, other two-drops might offer immediate board presence or more impactful abilities, potentially overshadowing the incremental advantage provided by the Aspirant over multiple turns.
Reasons to Include Luminarch Aspirant in Your Collection
Versatility: Luminarch Aspirant shines across various archetypes, from aggro to midrange. Its ability to consistently bolster creatures turns it into a key piece on any battlefield, adapting to your strategic needs each turn.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with +1/+1 counter mechanics, paving the way for powerful combinations with proliferate effects or any strategy looking to exploit increased creature stats.
Meta-Relevance: Its importance in the competitive scene is clear, as it holds its ground in an environment where creature-based strategies often dictate the pace of play. Luminarch Aspirant’s ability to quickly escalate threats makes it a smart addition to stay competitive.
How to beat
Luminarch Aspirant is a card that can escalate threats on the board by consistently bolstering a creature’s power every combat. To counter this, focus on removal strategies that mitigate the advantage it provides. Cards like Fatal Push or Bloodchief’s Thirst are efficient at dealing with Luminarch Aspirant early in the game. You can also opt for sweepers like Shatter the Sky or Doomskar to reset the board and remove any accumulated counters.
Alternatively, consider utilizing instant-speed interaction to disrupt the Aspirant’s ability to stack counters. An efficient way to do this is to wait until the opponent’s combat phase begins but before the trigger resolves, and then remove the Aspirant. This method ensures that no value is gained from the counter distribution.
Always be mindful of the game state and try to anticipate when the opponent may cast Luminarch Aspirant. Having a response ready is crucial since letting a Luminarch Aspirant linger unchecked for multiple turns can quickly lead to an overwhelming board presence that becomes difficult to manage. Playing proactively against it is often the key to success.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Luminarch Aspirant MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Zendikar Rising, 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 Luminarch Aspirant and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Luminarch Aspirant Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Mads Ahm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 83812 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mads Ahm | ||
| 2 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 319 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mads Ahm | |
| 3 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 24 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mads Ahm | |
| 4 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Promos | PZNR | 24p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mads Ahm | |
| 5 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Promos | PZNR | 24s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mads Ahm | |
| 6 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 205 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mads Ahm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Luminarch Aspirant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Luminarch Aspirant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-09-25 | Luminarch Aspirant can be the target of its own ability. |