Trial of Ambition MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 113
2019-11-07 - Number 801
2020-08-13 - Number 130
2020-09-26 - Number AKH-113
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When Trial of Ambition enters the battlefield, target opponent sacrifices a creature. When a Cartouche enters the battlefield under your control, return Trial of Ambition to its owner's hand.
Cards like Trial of Ambition
Trial of Ambition invites a strategic layer of gameplay to the black control archetype in Magic: The Gathering. The card parallels the function found in Diabolic Edict which also swiftly compels an opponent to sacrifice a creature. Unlike Trial of Ambition, Diabolic Edict doesn’t hold the potential to be recurred for multiple uses through the synergy with Cartouche enchantments.
Malicious Affliction serves up a similar menu of creature destruction but with a morbid twist; should a creature have perished this turn, you double down and destroy another. This provides possible greater removal power but lacks the repeated application that Trial of Ambition can exploit via Cartouche bounce-back. Geth’s Verdict is another kin, like Diabolic Edict, requiring a sacrifice but sweetens the deal with life loss. Though more impactful in certain situations than Trial of Ambition, its singleton nature makes it a less versatile option over time.
What sets Trial of Ambition apart is its distinct synergy with Cartouches, which can be a game-changer in decks designed around this interplay. It may not always be the swift eradicator, but its value in a well-crafted deck framework can’t be ignored, giving it a rightful place among the tools of strategic control in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Trial of Ambition by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Trial of Ambition. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Midrange | Pioneer | Orzhov Midrange | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-07 |
 | Abzan Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024 | |
 | Four-color Combo | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Golgari Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | 5c Enigmatic Fires | Pioneer | 5c Enigmatic Fires | Pioneer Super Qualifier 2023-12-23 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Trial of Ambition forces the opponent to sacrifice a creature, potentially stripping them of a key piece on their board and thus granting you a significant advantage. This disruption can be equivalent to drawing a powerful removal card, as it efficiently deals with an enemy creature, sometimes bypassing indestructible and hexproof statuses.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your own resources, ensuring the opponent loses their creatures can indirectly boost your position in the game. It slows down their development, giving you the upper hand, especially when you are ahead on the board, making each of your turns all the more impactful.
Instant Speed: Being a sorcery, it requires careful timing to maximize its effect. You can cast it right after your opponent plays a creature they invested heavily in, thereby turning their resource investment into your tempo gain. Although not at instant speed, the strategic timing of this card is key to mastering its potential.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other control spells, Trial of Ambition forces a sacrifice, which can be less effective against decks with a high creature count or tokens that can be sacrificed without significant loss.
Specific Mana Cost: Trial of Ambition’s black mana cost may restrict its incorporation exclusively in mono-black or multicolor decks that can accommodate black mana within their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost and an additional investment to recur it using a Cartouche, there might be instances where more immediately impactful removal spells are preferable for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Trial of Ambition in Your Collection
Versatility: Trial of Ambition complements a wide range of deck themes, particularly those that aim to control the board by forcing opponents to sacrifice their creatures. Its utility in multiple formats makes it an adaptable pick for any collection.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards like Cartouche enchantments, Trial of Ambition can be reused to create recurring creature sacrifices, disrupting your opponent’s game plan and providing a recurring advantage over time.
Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by creature-based strategies, Trial of Ambition serves as a crucial tool. It’s highly effective against decks that rely on singular, high-value creatures, maintaining its relevance in various competitive scenes.
How to beat
Trial of Ambition is a potent enchantment that can put opponents in a difficult position, compelling them to sacrifice a creature. This can potentially disrupt your opponent’s board presence significantly. Nonetheless, savvy players can strategize to mitigate its impact. One approach is maintaining a supply of expendable creatures on the board. Cards like Doomed Traveler or token generators can ensure you always have a creature available that you can afford to lose without affecting your key strategies.
Another tactic is to utilize instant-speed creature creation. By waiting until Trial of Ambition has been activated, you can then summon a creature to be sacrificed instead of one that’s crucial to your game plan. Additionally, incorporating cards that return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield or your hand can help to negate the effect of Trial of Ambition. Conserving powerful counter spells for key moments, or playing enchantment removal like Disenchant, can also be a successful strategy to deal with this card’s challenge.
Ultimately, the trick to overcoming Trial of Ambition lies in careful resource management and anticipating its arrival on the battlefield. By doing so, you can keep your most valuable creatures in play and maintain a commanding position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Trial of Ambition MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Mystery Booster, 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 Trial of Ambition 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
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Printings
The Trial of Ambition Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 113 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 801 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 130 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | AKH-113 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Trial of Ambition 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 Trial of Ambition card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | Each Trial has an ability to return to your hand when a Cartouche enters the battlefield under your control. The Trial is returned to its owner’s hand only if it’s on the battlefield as the ability resolves. |