Blood Aspirant MTG Card
2020-01-24 - Number 128
2022-12-02 - Number 501
2023-08-04 - Number 208
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Satyr Berserker |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Provides card advantage by converting creatures into power boosts and board control.
- Enables resource acceleration and synergy with instant speed spells and effects.
- Limited by reliance on board presence and a potentially restrictive mana cost.
Text of card
Whenever you sacrifice a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on Blood Aspirant. , , Sacrifice a creature or enchantment: Blood Aspirant deals 1 damage to target creature. That creature can't block this turn.
It's a small step from revel to bloodbath.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blood Aspirant adds a layer of strategic depth to your gameplay by offering a way to convert excess creatures into potential card superiority. This capacity to sacrifice other creatures not only pares down blockers or unwanted permanents but also can offer indirect card advantage as you capitalize on the benefits.
Resource Acceleration: Each time Blood Aspirant or another creature enters the battlefield under your control, it grants you the potential to ramp up by placing a +1/+1 counter on this relentless warrior, setting the pace for a resource acceleration that can overwhelm your opponents.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Blood Aspirant interacts beneficially with instant speed spells and effects. By allowing you to hold back creatures to cast at instant speed, it provides the chance to strategically choose when to trigger its ability, ensuring you’re always optimized for the current board position.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Blood Aspirant’s ability to grow stronger requires the player to sacrifice another creature, which could be detrimental if you’re unable to maintain a sufficient board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a red mana symbol in its casting cost, potentially restricting its compatibility with multi-colored or non-red-based strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring two mana to play, Blood Aspirant can be less appealing compared to other one-drop creatures that offer immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Blood Aspirant in Your Collection
Versatility: Blood Aspirant brings a dynamic element to the table, finding a home in decks that lean on sacrificing creatures for gain or those looking to amplify red’s aggressive nature.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in synergistic environments, smoothly interacting with sacrifice mechanics and +1/+1 counter strategies to become a formidable threat over time.
Meta-Relevance: With its ability to manage the board by picking off smaller creatures and a competitive scene favoring creature-based strategies, Blood Aspirant remains particularly potent in certain metagames.
How to beat
Blood Aspirant is a versatile creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can be a genuine threat to your gameplay strategy. With its ability to grow stronger every time you sacrifice a permanent, it works synergistically in decks that can easily generate tokens or other expendable resources. Understanding this, one effective strategy to handle Blood Aspirant is to limit its opportunities to escalate.
Control elements are crucial when dealing with cards like Blood Aspirant. Removal spells are a straightforward way to eliminate it before it becomes too powerful. Instant-speed removals such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch Blood Aspirant in a timely manner, especially when used before the opponent has a chance to capitalize on its ability.
Additionally, since Blood Aspirant thrives in an environment rich with small creatures or tokens to sacrifice, sweepers can be extremely effective. Wipes like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act clear out the small creatures Blood Aspirant needs, stalling the opponent’s strategy and possibly leaving the Aspirant vulnerable and alone. By playing smart and knowing your deck’s strengths, you can navigate around the threats that Blood Aspirant poses.
Cards like Blood Aspirant
Blood Aspirant is an intriguing creature card within the vast arsenal of Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to grow stronger every time a player sacrifices a permanent, it holds a significant edge in decks that harness sac outlets. It draws parallels with Mayhem Devil, which also capitalizes on sacrifices, dealing damage to any target whenever a player sacrifices a permanent. However, Mayhem Devil does not receive power and toughness bonuses in the process.
Comparing it further, we see Dreadhorde Butcher, which shares the aggressive red color identity with Blood Aspirant. Dreadhorde Butcher escalates its threat level by gaining power and toughness with each attack, eventually inflicting damage upon death. In contrast, Blood Aspirant’s strength lies in its ability to control the board by picking off smaller creatures through sacrifice activated abilities.
In discerning the nuanced dynamics of each card, Blood Aspirant certainly makes its mark in the landscape of MTG. Its unique combination of direct removal and potential for growth through sacrifice sets it apart, making it a card worth considering for any player wanting to leverage incremental advantages in a match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blood Aspirant MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Blood Aspirant and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See Magic products
Printings
The Blood Aspirant Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Tyler Walpole.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 128 | 2015 | normal | black | Tyler Walpole | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 501 | 2015 | normal | black | Tyler Walpole | |
| 3 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 208 | 2015 | normal | black | Tyler Walpole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blood Aspirant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Blood Aspirant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-01-24 | Blood Aspirant can be sacrificed to pay for the cost of its own last ability. |
| 2020-01-24 | Blood Aspirant’s first ability is a triggered ability, not an activated ability. It doesn’t allow you to sacrifice a permanent whenever you want; rather, you need some other way of sacrificing permanents, such as its second ability. |
| 2020-01-24 | If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Blood Aspirant’s last ability tries to resolve, the ability won’t resolve. The creature can block as normal. If the target is legal but not dealt damage (most likely because of a prevention effect), it can’t block this turn. |
| 2020-01-24 | If you sacrifice a permanent as part of casting a spell or activating an ability, Blood Aspirant’s first ability will resolve before that spell or ability. |
