Troll Ascetic MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 135
2007-07-13 - Number 305
2007-07-13 - Number 305★
2010-06-04 - Number 86
2011-06-17 - Number 176
2013-09-06 - Number 50
2018-06-08 - Number 146
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Troll Shaman |
| Abilities | Hexproof |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Troll Ascetic can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. : Regenerate Troll Ascetic.
It's no coincidence that the oldest trolls are also the angriest.
Cards like Troll Ascetic
Troll Ascetic is a mainstay in decks that favor resilience and longevity on the battlefield. This creature card finds peers in creatures such as Thrun, the Last Troll, that shares the hexproof quality assuring it can’t be the target of opponent spells or abilities. The Ascetic steps up its protection with regeneration, a shield against many forms of removal. Compare this to Silhana Ledgewalker, both having hexproof, with the Ledgewalker boasting the added benefit of being unblockable to creatures without flying.
Another parallel can be drawn with Witchstalker, a creature that also thrives on being elusive with hexproof. However, Witchstalker has the added ability to grow stronger whenever an opponent casts a blue or black spell during your turn. Despite this, it lacks the regeneration, which gives Troll Ascetic an edge in survivability. Dungrove Elder presents an exciting comparison as well, scaling in power and toughness with the number of forests under your control, along with hexproof. Nevertheless, the Elder cannot self-regenerate, tipping the balance back to the hardiness of the Troll Ascetic.
Each card brings unique strengths to a player’s arsenal, but Troll Ascetic’s blend of hexproof and regeneration makes it a formidable presence, defining its niche in the realm of Magic the Gathering creatures that are hard to remove from the field.
Cards similar to Troll Ascetic by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Troll Ascetic is not directly associated with card draw, but its resilient nature ensures that you maintain presence on the board, effectively giving you a prolonged advantage by safeguarding your investment in the troll.
Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t provide conventional resource acceleration, its low casting cost of three mana for a formidable 3/2 creature ensures that your mana resources are efficiently used. This lets you deploy other threats or support spells in your hand more liberally.
Instant Speed: The power of Troll Ascetic lies not in its speed, but in its Hexproof ability, allowing it to dodge targeted spells or abilities. This grants you a consistent and reliable threat that draws out your opponent’s resources while keeping yours secure and ready for the right moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Troll Ascetic offers resilience against targeted removal, a key aspect to consider is its inability to shield you from the cost of discarding cards. Certain strategies in the game may force you to discard, undermining the Ascetic’s staying power on the battlefield and potentially leaving you at a disadvantage if your hand is depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: Troll Ascetic demands a specific combination of mana — one green and two generic — to be cast. This requirement could pose a challenge in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency, thereby restricting the card’s inclusion to mainly green-centric decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a mana value of three for its 3/2 body, Troll Ascetic might be seen as having a high cost for its stats, especially when compared to other creatures in its mana range. In a highly competitive environment where each mana point matters, the choice of including Troll Ascetic over other efficient creatures could be questioned.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Troll Ascetic is a resilient creature card that comfortably fits in numerous deck archetypes, especially those looking to maintain a presence on the board. Its natural hexproof ability renders it less vulnerable to targeted removal, making it a reliable component in any green deck.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with equipment and aura spells that can turn it into a major threat. Its hexproof shields it while combos transform it into a powerhouse capable of delivering consistent damage to your opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with control decks, Troll Ascetic stands out as it can survive most removal spells. It is particularly effective against decks that rely heavily on spot removal, ensuring you have a persistent creature on the board at all times.
How to beat
Troll Ascetic is a well-known card in MTG offering players a resilient creature thanks to its hexproof ability, making it immune to spells and abilities your opponents control. In addition, with the ability to regenerate, Troll Ascetic can be tough to remove from the battlefield through conventional damage or destruction effects.
To successfully counter this elusive creature, one must shift strategies. Board wipes that affect all creatures, such as “Wrath of God,” can bypass the hexproof and regeneration abilities, effectively clearing the board including Troll Ascetic. Edict effects, which force a player to sacrifice a creature, such as “Diabolic Edict,” are also effective since they do not target. Moreover, playing cards that change the rules of combat, such as “Ensnaring Bridge,” can prevent the Troll Ascetic from attacking, significantly reducing its impact on the game.
Adapting to Troll Ascetic’s strengths requires a different approach to removal or prevention. Utilizing non-targeted removal spells or other broader strategies is the key to overcoming this formidable adversary on the MTG battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Troll Ascetic MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Tenth Edition, 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 Troll Ascetic 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Troll Ascetic Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Puddnhead.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 135 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 305 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 3 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 305★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 4 | 2010-06-04 | Duels of the Planeswalkers | DPA | 86 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 5 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 176 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 6 | 2013-09-06 | Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters | DDL | 50 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 7 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 146 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Troll Ascetic has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |