Topan Ascetic MTG Card


Topan Ascetic’s card draw and resource acceleration abilities make it a formidable force on the battlefield. Instant speed activation adds a layer of tactical depth, allowing for adaptive responses to opponents. Discard requirements and specific mana costs may limit its utility in diverse MTG deck constructions.
Topan Ascetic - Shards of Alara
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Monk
Released2008-10-03
Set symbol
Set nameShards of Alara
Set codeALA
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number151
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySal Villagran

Text of card

Tap an untapped creature you control: Topan Ascetic gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

Monks from Topa wander all of Bant, encouraging the Unbeholden to find their place in society through honorable combat.


Cards like Topan Ascetic

Topan Ascetic introduces an interesting dynamic to MTG as it blends the aspects of buffing and utility. This card draws immediate parallels to the likes of Serra Disciple, which also gains a bonus from historic spells. While Serra Disciple thrives on flying and first strike, Topan Ascetic gains trample, which allows it to push damage through the defensive lines more consistently.

Digging deeper into the card pool, cards like Auriok Glaivemaster share the ability to capitalize on equipment, augmenting its utility as buffs are applied. However, unlike Topan Ascetic, which draws strength from each spell cast, the Glaivemaster is confined to leveraging equipment which may limit its versatility in a non-equipment heavy deck.

When it comes to battlefield impact, the Greenwheel Liberator is another creature that stands out. It benefits from the Revolt mechanic, which can provide a significant boost when its conditions are met. Topan Ascetic, on the other hand, requires a more consistent strategy of spell casting but assures incremental advantage rather than a conditional one-time boost.

In weighing the options, Topan Ascetic’s persistent ability to leverage any noncreature spell makes it a valuable addition to decks that seek to cast a variety of spells, helping to keep the pressure on opponents turn after turn.

Serra Disciple - MTG Card versions
Auriok Glaivemaster - MTG Card versions
Greenwheel Liberator - MTG Card versions
Serra Disciple - MTG Card versions
Auriok Glaivemaster - MTG Card versions
Greenwheel Liberator - MTG Card versions

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Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Spike Feeder - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Elder - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Topan Ascetic’s ability to enable card draws through its unique mechanics can significantly bolster a player’s hand, ensuring that they’re well-equipped to counter an opponent’s moves or advance their board presence.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a key driver in ramping up a player’s resources. By efficiently managing your board state and leveraging the Ascetic’s abilities, you can experience accelerated mana availability, potentially tipping the scales in your favor.

Instant Speed: The capability to activate Topan Ascetic’s abilities at instant speed provides strategic flexibility. This allows players to adapt to changing game states and react to opponents’ actions with precision, all while keeping up the momentum during their own turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to integrating Topan Ascetic into your gameplay is the requirement to discard another card, which might strain your hand, especially in moments where each card’s value is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s need for both green and white mana can be restrictive, making it less versatile and harder to smoothly fit into multi-colored decks that don’t focus on these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Topan Ascetic offers a unique blend of abilities, its mana cost is significant when comparing it to other creatures in the same casting cost bracket, potentially slowing down your early game momentum.


Reasons to Include Topan Ascetic in Your Collection

Versatility: Topan Ascetic is a multi-functional card that shines in decks emphasizing creature-based strategies. Its ability to give toughness to other creatures makes it a robust support card in a variety of MTG formats.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Topan Ascetic’s tap ability can be part of infinite combos or synergistic plays, especially in decks that revolve around tapping and untapping creatures for value.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature interactions are key, Topan Ascetic’s consistent performance and tactical advantages can make it a valuable addition against the prevalent deck types.


How to Overcome Topan Ascetic

Confronting the Topan Ascetic on the battlefield requires a strategy that negates its strengths. This card provides both a robust defense and utility through life gain, which can be a linchpin in certain decks. Dealing with the Ascetic effectively involves neutralizing its activated abilities or rendering them inconsequential. Removal spells that bypass its protection, such as “Wrath of God,” completely evade its defensive measures. Furthermore, direct damage spells or abilities, such as “Lightning Bolt,” can remove the Topan Ascetic before its life gain ability becomes a factor.

An alternative approach hinges on negating the life gain itself. Cards like “Tibalt, Rakish Instigator” prevent your opponent from benefiting from any form of life gain, undermining the Ascetic’s core advantage. Similarly, “Erebos, God of the Dead” renders life gain futile. An often overlooked tactic involves the use of “Solemnity” which restricts the utilization of +1/+1 counters, a key component of the Ascetic’s resilience. By incorporating these strategies, players can deftly handle the Topan Ascetic, nullifying its defensive prowess and life gain, and pave the way to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Topan Ascetic MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Topan Ascetic and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Topan Ascetic has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Topan Ascetic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2008-10-01 Since Topan Ascetic’s activated ability doesn’t have a tap symbol in its cost, you can tap a creature (including Topan Ascetic itself) that hasn’t been under your control since your most recent turn began to pay the cost.