Slith Ascendant MTG Card

Slith Ascendant’s power grows with combat success, offering a snowballing battlefield threat. Indirect acceleration can emerge as opponents prioritize targeting the Ascendant over other threats. Its flying ability offers resilience against many common removal spells, enhancing its survivability.

Mirrodin (MRD)
2003-10-02 - Number 23

Slith Ascendant - Commander Legends (CMR)

Commander Legends (CMR)
2020-11-20 - Number 49

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Slith
Abilities	Flying
Power	1
Toughness	1

Text of card

Flying Whenever Slith Ascendant deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it.

Instinctively drawn to the light of its "mother-sun," each slith follows that sun's path around Mirrodin.

Cards like Slith Ascendant

Slith Ascendant introduces a unique twist among creature cards in the fast-paced MTG universe. It parallels closely with other Slith family members, such as Slith Firewalker or Slith Predator. Like its fiery cousin, Slith Ascendant gains a +1/+1 counter whenever it deals combat damage to a player, fueling its strength in aggressive flying strategies. Meanwhile, its innate flying ability sets it apart from the Predator, which relies on trample to push through defenses.

Looking deeper into flying creatures, we notice Stormwing Entity shares a kinship with the evasive aspect of Slith Ascendant. The Entity thrives in decks filled with instants and sorceries, while the Ascendant appeals to a steady, combat-centric buildup. Additionally, Aven Sunstriker from the Dragons of Tarkir set brings double strike into the equation, offering a potentially faster increase in power. Yet, it lacks the same self-sufficiency in mana costs that lets Slith Ascendant glide into the battlefield with ease.

Through comparison, Slith Ascendant stands out within the MTG realm, showcasing a balance between cost, evasive capabilities, and cumulative power growth. These factors seamlessly combine to make it a solid option for players looking to escalate their assault from the skies.

Cards similar to Slith Ascendant by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Slith Ascendant offers an expanding threat on the battlefield. With each successful hit on an opponent, it gathers more +1/+1 counters, potentially snowballing into a dominant board presence. This incremental growth serves as a form of advantage as it forces opponents to deal with a single card that’s continually increasing in power.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana ramp or acceleration, a growing Slith Ascendant can indirectly speed up your game plan by pressuring opponents to use their resources on it, diverting attention and resources away from other elements of your strategy.

Instant Speed: Though Slith Ascendant itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its flying ability enables it to dodge many sorcery-speed removal spells. This creates openings for you to capitalize on instant speed interactions while opponents struggle to find an answer to your ever-growing aerial threat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Slith Ascendant’s abilities may hinge on discarding cards, potentially leading to a disadvantage when hand size is dwindling and crucial resources are needed on the field rather than in the graveyard.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost necessitates a commitment to white mana, restricting its effortless inclusion in multi-colored or color-flexible decks, and possibly affecting deck-building strategy and mana base consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment required that could be greater than other options in the mana curve, card evaluation suggests there are alternatives that may achieve similar advancements on the board for less, thus impacting deck efficiency and tempo.

Reasons to Include Slith Ascendant in Your Collection

Versatility: Slith Ascendant can seamlessly adapt to various strategies, excelling in decks that capitalize on flying creatures or counters. Its ability to grow with every hit makes it an ever-present threat on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Notably, this card thrives in synergy with proliferation and modular abilities. Each successful attack amplifies its power, making it a linchpin in decks that exploit +1/+1 counters for dominant board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where flying creatures hold sway, Slith Ascendant becomes a prime option. Its scaling power level aligns well with the pace of the game, allowing it to overtake defences and outmatch the evolving competitive scene.

How to beat

Slith Ascendant can be a real challenge on the battlefield for many MTG players. This winged creature’s strength lies in its ability to grow more formidable with each strike, gaining +1/+1 counters whenever it deals combat damage to a player. Its inherent flying ability makes it an elusive target, skimming over ground-based defenses with ease. But don’t fret—there are strategic plays to counter such a formidable card.

To ground the Slith Ascendant, you need to think about removals or setting up aerial blockades. Consider instant-speed removal spells that can target creatures in flight or tap into spells that can neutralize abilities. Creating a defense with reach or deploying creatures with flying to block could be an effective deterrent. Additionally, employing board wipes before Slith Ascendant grows too strong or using enchantments like Pacifism to negate its ability to attack can halt the Ascendant’s ascension.

Every MTG player knows that timing in magic is everything. Neutralizing Slith Ascendant before it accumulates too many counters and becomes a colossal threat could be the key to maintaining control of the game, keeping the skies clear for a victorious match.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Slith Ascendant MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Commander Legends, 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 Slith Ascendant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Slith Ascendant Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Justin Sweet.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2003-10-02	Mirrodin	MRD		23	2003	Normal	Black	Justin Sweet
2	2020-11-20	Commander Legends	CMR		49	2015	Normal	Black	Justin Sweet

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Slith Ascendant has restrictions

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