War-Name Aspirant MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 126
2022-12-02 - Number 620
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | Raid |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Raid — War-Name Aspirant enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it if you attacked with a creature this turn. War-Name Aspirant can't be blocked by creatures with power 1 or less.
No battle means more to a Mardu warrior than the one that earns her war name.
Cards like War-Name Aspirant
War-Name Aspirant has a unique place in MTG as a card with aggressive potential and the ability to bypass defender lines. Comparable to cards like Goblin Heelcutter, the Aspirant also disrupts normal blocking patterns in a game, albeit without the latter’s dash ability. While Goblin Heelcutter can surprise opponents unexpectedly, War-Name Aspirant requires a bit more setup to maximize its benefits, as it needs raid to grant it its crucial ability.
Another similar card is Break Through the Line. This instant can make creatures with power 2 or less unblockable, much like the War-Name Aspirant, but it gives you more flexibility by targeting multiple creatures at a time. However, War-Name Aspirant offers a more permanent solution for a single creature, whereas Break Through the Line requires mana investment each turn.
Exploring these comparisons, War-Name Aspirant holds its own among creatures that can influence the combat phase. Its blend of aggression and evasion, combined with the potential for builds around raid-triggered mechanics, gives it an edge in certain strategic MTG decks geared towards non-traditional combat tactics.
Cards similar to War-Name Aspirant by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using War-Name Aspirant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: War-Name Aspirant enhances your battlefield presence by offering a competitive creature easily placed on the board. The card’s ability to potentially bypass blockers can maintain pressure on your opponent, potentially leading to card advantage through favorable trades.
Resource Acceleration: This aspirant doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana. However, its early game power aligns well with strategies that capitalize on swift tempo, allowing for quicker execution of your game plan and utilizing resources efficiently.
Instant Speed: While War-Name Aspirant itself is not an instant, it can benefit from various instant speed cards in your arsenal. Playing combat tricks or removals at instant speed before declaring the aspirant as an attacker can clear the way for its raid ability, ensuring it maximizes its battlefield impact.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: War-Name Aspirant’s ability to bypass blockers requires a card to be sacrificed. That means parting with potentially crucial hand assets, which could negatively impact your game plan, especially if you’re already behind.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both red and another color, this card demands precise mana resources. This might constrain its integration into multi-colored decks that struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature of its size and the abilities it offers, War-Name Aspirant might seem pricey. Alternative creatures or spells may provide better value or more relevant effects with a lower or equivalent mana investment.
Reasons to Include War-Name Aspirant in Your Collection
Versatility: War-Name Aspirant is adaptable across various decks, easily slotting into aggressive strategies with its early presence and ability to bypass potential blockers thanks to its raid ability.
Combo Potential: Its unique ability to be unblockable by creatures with power 1 or less opens up opportunities for synergies in decks that can manipulate the power of your opponents’ creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where many decks rely on smaller utility creatures for early board presence, War-Name Aspirant gains extra utility, pushing through damage and maintaining board significance against such strategies.
How to beat
Overcoming War-Name Aspirant in Magic: The Gathering can be a tactical challenge for many players. One effective strategy is to limit the card’s raid ability from taking effect. To achieve this, ensuring that the Aspirant’s controller hasn’t attacked with a creature during their turn will keep its raid ability in check. Moreover, utilizing removal spells before the raid ability can trigger will also prove advantageous.
Playing defensively can also help. Deploying creatures with high toughness can effectively block War-Name Aspirant and prevent it from becoming a repeated threat. Another method is to make use of instant-speed removals or bounce spells in response to the Aspirant’s attack, which disrupts combat calculations and removes the creature without the raid benefit coming into play.
Lastly, remember that War-Name Aspirant gains the advantage the longer it remains on the battlefield. Quick and decisive control of the board is key to prevent the accruement of benefits from this card. Utilizing these strategies will increase your odds against War-Name Aspirant and help maintain dominance in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase War-Name Aspirant MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir 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 War-Name Aspirant 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
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Printings
The War-Name Aspirant Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by David Gaillet.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 126 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 620 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where War-Name Aspirant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering War-Name Aspirant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-09-20 | Once a creature legally blocks War-Name Aspirant, changing that creature’s power to 1 or less won’t change or undo that block. |
| 2018-01-19 | Raid abilities care only that you attacked with a creature. It doesn’t matter how many creatures you attacked with, or which opponent or planeswalker controlled by an opponent those creatures attacked. |
| 2018-01-19 | Raid abilities evaluate the entire turn to see if you attacked with a creature. That creature doesn’t have to still be on the battlefield. Similarly, the player or planeswalker it attacked doesn’t have to still be in the game or on the battlefield, respectively. |