Ashen Monstrosity MTG Card

Ashen Monstrosity - Betrayers of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Spirit
Abilities	Haste
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Power	7
Toughness	4
Number	93
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chris Appelhans

Key Takeaways

Temper its eight-mana cost with reanimation tactics for a cost-effective, potent battlefield presence.
Instant-speed play enhances Ashen Monstrosity’s threat level, forcing multiple-card responses from opponents.
Despite the discard requirement, its aggressive impact makes it a valuable asset in certain MTG strategies.

Text of card

Haste Ashen Monstrosity attacks each turn if able.

There was a dull thunder at the vanguard, then shocked cries in the midst of the column. Moments later, Takada, last of the rearguard, faced the kami alone.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ashen Monstrosity offers a substantial presence on the battlefield with its potent attack stats. Plopping this creature onto the board can pressure opponents and often requires multiple cards from them to handle, effectively tipping the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although Ashen Monstrosity doesn’t accelerate resources directly, its significant cost makes it a prime candidate for reanimation strategies, thereby bypassing the mana cost and accelerating your threatening board state without expending the usual resources.

Instant Speed: While Ashen Monstrosity itself is not an instant, employing cards that can cheat it into play at instant speed disrupts opponents’ plans. Dropping this massive creature when your opponent least expects it can swing the game dramatically, making every untapped land a potential sign of the looming threat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ashen Monstrosity requires players to pitch another card, posing a risk when options are already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Its precise mana demand, two red and six generic, calls for a deck tailored around hefty mana capabilities and may clash with a multi-color strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Eight mana for this creature card is steep, considering the landscape of MTG where more versatile threats or answers could be cast for less.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ashen Monstrosity is a high power creature that can be a game-changer in the right deck. Its hefty attack makes it a formidable force in combat-focused decks and because it’s colorless, it can slot into virtually any deck build.

Combo Potential: This card has compatibility with graveyard strategies. Using reanimation spells or effects can bypass its hefty casting cost, and in some scenarios, even its downside of being tapped can be mitigated or exploited for strategic benefits.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts, a ramp into large creatures could become more prevalent. Ashen Monstrosity could serve as a surprise finisher in such a landscape, especially in formats where a quick endgame is paramount.

How to beat

Ashen Monstrosity is a formidable creature within Magic: The Gathering, posing a significant threat to opponents with its haste ability, enabling it to attack swiftly after hitting the battlefield. To successfully mitigate this threat, strategic removal spells are your best bet. Cards such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile offer efficient and immediate answers to Ashen Monstrosity. These spells can bypass its quick offense by targeting and eliminating it before it deals damage.

Another effective strategy is to employ counterspells. When facing decks that contain Ashen Monstrosity, holding up mana for counters like Cancel or Negate can ensure that the creature never sees play. This method derails your opponent’s aggressive strategy, maintaining the tempo of the game in your favor. Moreover, enchantments such as Pacifism can neutralize Ashen Monstrosity without dispatching it, thereby circumventing any harmful effects that might trigger upon death.

In essence, while Ashen Monstrosity can be a serious challenge on the battlefield, various tactical solutions exist to overcome this creature. By utilizing targeted removal, counter strategies or restraint enchantments, you can effectively control the threat and keep the game state to your advantage.

Cards like Ashen Monstrosity

Ashen Monstrosity is an intriguing creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, sharing attributes with other high-powered, cost-intensive beasts. It is akin to creatures like Phyrexian Colossus, as both come with a substantial body that can dominate the battlefield. However, Ashen Monstrosity offers haste, allowing for immediate board presence, which Phyrexian Colossus does not. Unlike Ashen Monstrosity which demands a steep mana cost to avoid being tapped, Colossus enables players to pay life instead of mana, providing flexibility in how it’s cast.

Another comparable creature is Desolation Twin. Although Desolation Twin lacks haste, it compensates by creating a 10/10 token upon casting, doubling the threat on the board. The casting cost is hefty for both cards, but Desolation Twin’s secondary token can be a game-changer, notwithstanding Ashen Monstrosity’s swift attack capabilities. Lastly, consider Bearer of the Heavens, which offers a unique board wipe effect upon death. While it doesn’t have haste like Ashen Monstrosity, its end game potential can’t be overlooked, making it a potent choice in a completely different strategic context.

Overall, Ashen Monstrosity stands out among its peers for its aggressive, immediate impact, carving its niche in decks that favor speed and heavy hitting over cost-efficiency or alternative effects.

Bearer of the Heavens - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ashen Monstrosity by color, type and mana cost

Yidaro, Wandering Monster - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ashen Monstrosity MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Ashen Monstrosity and other MTG cards: