It's really easy to not get hit for a couple turns. See turbo fog decks, or stasis varients. You don't even have to base a deck around it. Just drop it turn 2, then play as normal. Your opponent has to go crazy trying to hit you every turn, or kill it. Because if it ever gets 4 counters, that's probably game.
True_Mumin
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(10 votes)
This card scares me. A lot.
madformedusa
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Like rubber says "turbo fog decks" + this card = almost instant win what can i say? 5/5
Aww.Gasm
★★☆☆☆ (2.9/5.0)(5 votes)
oh. my. god. i mean Oh. My. Judgment.
ghostie1337
★★★☆☆ (3.3/5.0)(5 votes)
This deck won me a pre-release. In limited, it essentially meant that my opponents had to deal me damage, or they would lose.
godmetal101
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(4 votes)
Oh my god! This is JUST what I need for my red/white Angel deck! Combo this with cheap damage prevention, and it's pretty much game. I mean come on, a 4/4 flier for two mana? How much better can it get? A great pair-up with Sigil of the Empty Throne.
Salostot
★★☆☆☆ (2.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Yup i placed 4th cus of this card
got me 9 booster *smiley face*
Donovan_Fabian
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(5 votes)
Luminarch ascension is obviously good, but your not playing it until at least turn 2 and you have to at least wait 4 more turns for it to gain the quest counters. Finding a way to not be taking any damage for 4 turns after your opponent sees you play it on the field against any aggro deck is unlikely. A lot of the new vampires specifically drain life. So, I think still a very good card, but it depends on the deck your playing against. Blue and green are obviously going to be a bit frustrated by this card (although rampaging baloths is like a creature with this ability), and I suspect red and black will simply deal out damage and stall any quest counter gaining for a long time.
Designer_Genes
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.6/5.0)(4 votes)
Pretty much only good if you can get it out turn 2 or 3. Otherwise, you'll probably never get it in time.
That said, this and the black one seem to be the only good Ascensions.
Dingo777
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(1 vote)
I never got this on turn 2, never, that said, this card won me 6 matches today, swung will 11 angels after a day of judgement wipped his bombs out, and really, not that hard to get it full after a board wipe.
It beat ob nixilis with it, I beat kor tribal with it, I beat a gb aggro with a well timed WoG and this card, only lost to a haste deck and a mill/charger deck today at the release
Xx.ZeVy.xX
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Can you pump out more than one angel per turn after the four quest counters, or just one per turn?
MrPink343
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(3 votes)
There needs to be an Angel-specific Wrath of God. This is getting a bit absurd.
torauma
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I got this first pick in a FNM a few weeks back. It really scared the crap out of people, but I ended up winning more games and matches with the blue flying bird ally guy. From that one experience it's hit (play on turn 2) or miss (any time after turn 2) in limited. With damage prevention junk and wrath, this card is quite ridiculous tho.
MadTheorist
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Multiplayer? 1.Noble Hierarch/Paradise Birds/etc... 2.This 3.Two angels (if at least 5 players/4 opponents) 4.even MOAR ANGELZ!
Cheza
★☆☆☆☆ (1.1/5.0)(6 votes)
This card isn't powerful in a typical 1:1 game.
If you play it on turn 2, you still have to wait 'til turn 5 to be able to get some tokens. However you lost a card, a turn 2 drop and a cardslot in you deck. If you're not going first, it becomes even harder to compete with your opponent. And even if you are lucky enough that your opponent didn't had a chance to deal damage to you, he might have a naturalize ready.
But what's even worse. This card is nearly a dead card, if you don't draw it on turn 2 - like those cards with suspend or spore counters.
The biggest problem I have with this card: I don't know where I should use it. I wouldn't use it in any beatdown deck, because I would rather prefer a Path to Exile or any damaging effect. I won't use it in a heavy control deck, because these decks tend to win with a few lifepoints left and it would cost a cardslot.
And even if I would build a deck around it (like the fog-draw) decks, I still wouldn't feel happy with this card, 'cause it would use up my "win con" slot and there are more stable win-cards. So where should I use it.
In multiplayer, this card would be quite powerful - once or maybe twice. Sure, with some mana accel, you can play this card on turn one and if you're going first, you might be able to activate this card on turn 2. But an early thread often leads to an early death. Your opponents will gang up against you and you might lose nonetheless.
In limited however, this card is definitely a poewrful card. A few bad draws for your opponent and you have nearly won the game.
HALOGOD
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(4 votes)
THIS CARD SHOULD GET THE FOLLOWING AWARDS: - BEST ENCHANTMENT - BEST 2 MANA CARD - BEST WHITE CARD WHY?... because this card placed me #2 in limited, helping me win 15 rares and mythic rares including Sorin Markov and lotus cobra!!!
Jlund61244
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(1 vote)
God i love this card
best turn 2 drop especially in multiplayer games
Grimn777
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(15 votes)
For all of you doubters saying that it takes till turn 6 blah blah blah... this card is very good, but not in the flashy "I WIN THE GAME" way that you so fervently look for in every other card. for an investment of 2 mana (only one white, so easy for any color combination, not just mono white), you take the composure completely out of your opponent's deck, and make them come to you. this is not one of those conditional enchantments that they can just leave there and play as normal until they win. 4 counters on the ascension does not "sort of" help you, it allows you to pump out a 4/4 flier or 2 every turn, in addition to playing spells, at no loss of card advantage whatsoever. That will most certainly win you 95% of games, the exception being those ones where you are at 2 life and they have a bolt, regardless of your air force.In order to stop that eventuality, the opponent is forced to attack when it is not beneficial, or waste a direct damage spell on you rather than a key creature, all very bad plays that generally mean you will win anyway.
The point being, even if it doesn't get to 4 counters to make angels, in order to stop it, the opponent must use up spells and sometimes creatures that they would otherwise have saved or taken out your own creatures with. In essence, although it doesn't look like it, luminarch ascension is a whole bunch of card advantage.
a7141988
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I can't believe no one has mentioned this: This card is designed for enchantment decks also! Combine this with solitary confinement (which needs to go with argothian enchantress, enchantress's presence or any other sort of "play enchantment, draw a card"), and drop a few sterling groves (or Privileged Positions) to seal the deal. Also, besides making 4/4s for 2, you can do it at instant speed!
jdvue
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(2 votes)
*note that it says END STEP*
not turn... so you dont have to wait 4 turns... just 4 phases...
PaladinOfSunhome
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Awesome!
4.5
CatsAreCthala
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A little too powerful. Can potentially win the game by itself. And it's an enchantment, so it fits in with it's other angel token buddies.
SocialExperiment
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I've heard all sorts of interesting words by getting the four counters on this thing. It does take a little while, but things get more than slightly insane when you have this thing primed and loaded.
PEVE_O
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Don't get me wrong It is a good card an powerful, but these quests enchantments are easy to deal with. a simple naturalize will stop it or an Oblivion ring can remove and reset it. I use mine in multi and 1 on 1 but I have rarely been able to utilize it effectively because everyone sees me as such a big target.
kittyspit
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
love the art on this card
5/5 for the art ^^
RuthieA
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Luminarch Ascension is an even better card in multi-player (provided you have the damage prevention and defense to back it up)--In a five or more player game, it is entirely possible to get four counters on it before your next turn, and thus be able to start making 4/4 Angel tokens on turn three. Granted, if you aren't able to defend yourself you'll make yourself a target, but in the right deck, it's rather worth the risk.
skew
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Agreed. Difficult to stay unharmed for so long ? Hell, just use frickin prevention, mother of runes, holidays and all that stuff in wich white color excels. Not all decks are able to get rid of enchantments, not all are fast enough to get throug h all defense you set up, not all have direct damage spells...
..
Ok, so lots of decks do have at least one of those things, but still, Grimn777 is totally right - making your opponent move against his will and throw everything at you is excelent thing on its own. It takes away the luxury of choice from him.
...
Not to mention what happens when you actually manage to pump it up, but others said all that already (it's not hard to figure it out, anyway). Then it becomes overpowered, by my opinion. The ability should cost 3W or so, by my opinion.
gongshowninja
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(19 votes)
"This deck won me a pre-release. In limited, it essentially meant that my opponents had to deal me damage, or they would lose."
Wow, really? You win by dealing damage?
:O
reapersaurus
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(5 votes)
So now they're making 2-cost enchantments win the game if they aren't dealt with? What has this game come to...... *shakes head*
spyros77
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Angel token creation is an activated ability in this enchantment , so it can be blocked by Pithing Needle.
coloo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Really good card, works brilliantly with eldrazi monument, honour of the pure, marshals anthem, soul warden and archon of redemption, especially all in the same deck!
Good for overwhelming your opponents.
Zulp
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(8 votes)
A brilliant win condition for white control. I love any card that makes winning a matter of sitting back and protecting myself until the climate's right.
RafiqTheMiststalker
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Aside from the text- the art is cool :p
izzet_guild_mage
★★★★☆ (5.0/5.0)(14 votes)
For the love of all that is holy, DO NOT play this in casual multiplayer. You will not make friends. That said, this card is very well balanced for a duel, and I have seen many games carried with this. It isn't quick, but it's very effective.
Enchantment_Removal
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Pyromancer, Bloodchief, then this. The three of these have a particular thing in common: competitively costed.
There are stupid ideas I have for crappy enchantments that I would like to build a deck or two around. In these decks, the strategy doesn't begin until turn three or four. Why? Because those enchantments (or whatever permanent) do not cost less than four mana: "Oh, watch out, he's playing his Earth Surge deck" "What's he going to do?" _"He's going tap out his third or fourth turn to play this enchantment called Earth Surge blah blah...." "Well, if it costs 4 mana, I'll just make sure to keep Cancel mana open" (how insulting)
Having lived through the age of Bitterblossom (apologies for bad memories) we all know that Wizards has no problem making a hot card. The think that annoys me is that they only make a very few hot cards in an age- limiting people's English vocabulary to no more than 10 words. The game becomes like Star Trek and the ascension enchantments are like Borgs going around owning play-groups telling them that "resistance is futile". The game has many cards, only a handful of them matter. I wished I played the game long ago, when there were a lot more possible viable strategies, rather than nowadays where it is like "You want play stall game? You play this card. No? Then you play vampire". At least Mirrodin was a bit more up front in being unbalanced so that it rather amusing.
Not to say that this card is broken..... which is why it is the third dumbest ascension.
Mindbend
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Its too good , i'm from an age when serra angel was a bit good . this is just silly.............very silly. although i have won against people who put this down on turn two.
P.s in multiplayer you may as well pick up your cards when you see this cos it just takes one definisive or weak player and your all sc-re-wed
Musume
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Anyone who isn't rating this at least 4/5 hasn't played against it.
My brother-in-law has a casual RW standard deck that has one copy of this card in it. Every time he's played it, I've lost. In the last game I played against him, I got a turn 1 Archive Trap off and managed to snag 5-6 of his lands in one shot so he was stuck at 2 plains for most of the game. He still won. I emptied my hand trying to burn him on each of my turns (I play Grixis mill: Lightning Bolt/Blightning/Countersquall/etc) and stalled out because I drew a creature without haste too late in the game to make a difference. The ascension went active and I didn't have an answer for it, so I lost.
Even the best creatures' converted mana costs are usually at least equal to their power or toughness (i.e., Baneslayer Angel, Vampire Nighthawk). Paying 1W for a 4/4 flier at instant speed is obscene. At the very least it should've been 2W or only available at sorcery speed.
SoulShatterer
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(4 votes)
Another one of the girls in my Casual group runs angels, and she murdered my usually-unbeatable red burn through this and a lot a white removal.
RedRapist
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Damage causes life loss? I didn't know that
MiniWraith
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(6 votes)
Even if this is white, you can't deny the fact that this makes you a supervillain once it hits the table. Make sure you practice your evil laughing skills.
Jonnythekid107
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Pulled one of these, and let me say, in a blue/white control deck, it's next to impossible to deal with. Just keep your blue for counters so they can't damage you. Simple. Then make absurd amounts of angels. Really, you only need five against any deck without fliers. Best of the Ascensions, in my opinion. Sure, it may seem broken to the older players, but, really, it comes down to this:
You need a multiple in your deck, to make sure you pull it early in most games. If not, then you lose space that could have gone to other win conditions. It's a bit of a gamble, but if you win, you get a huge payoff. It depends on how you play.
Paleopaladin
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
In multiplayer, this thing screams "Gang up on me!"
I am making evil plans to combine this Ascension with a White/Blue defender/control deck.
The new Leyline of Sanctity seems so nice in combination with this and a wall of defenders, which were made so much better in the Zendikar block.
I have not yet gathered all cards for the deck, but I am working very hard on it, also because my Bant deck rotates in what seems like a few minutes.
What it all boils down to is this: I love the art, the flavor, tha combos and the whiteness of it all.
Regards, the Defender Maniac.
sarroth
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I was half tempted to tell my friend who introduced me to Magic that "The last time we met I was but the learner, but now I'm the master" when I revamped my Angel deck to include this. It really illustrates that for "casual multiplayer," he has to win every game or it isn't fun for him. He'd rather blame me for having tough enchantments (which I always have run) than himself for not running enough removal in his green white deck, which you think would have that covered. If he hated my deck before, wait until I add Leyline of Sanctity; izzet_guild_mage is correct: I won't be the most liked player. Regardless of the cards used to obtain that, apparently it's what happens in my meta when I win : (
The biggest mistake of the Zendikar block. Completely ridiculous with Proliferate... I hate this card. Of course, 5/5, but a mistake...
KDotson1965
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
This card is grossly unbalanced and in desperate need of re-vamping - it essentially gives the player using it a lock on the game. It should be like the other Quest Type cards and only work once.
Bursama
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Makes you a big target as this hits the battlefield.
Sironos
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(6 votes)
Oh my good gods, WTF!!! How can you doubt in the power of this card? Just play it for a measly 2 mana, and it will put so much stress on your opponent like no other 2 drop. You don't really have do do anything to get it activated, just sit behind your wall of omen and whatever. This is completely insane, it doesn't require anything of you to activate, it requires something of your opponent to keep it from activating automatically Oo. When it activates, you will basically win the game shortly, unless the opponent has a VERY strong or eceptional setup. Use this in a U/W control deck, counter everything the opponent does and suddenly you can pump out sooooo many flying 4/4 angels each turn without spending cards on it. This is completely insane, cannot believe they printed it.
And now we have proliferate too OO, holy smokes! Think we will see this with thrumming bird soon.
dragonking987
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
such a awesome card this card bring back so many memory's.
rinoh20
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
this.... this shouldn't be. control should not be allowed to beat me to death with angel.
that said i want 4
NoobOfLore... thank you. thank you very much. I had been trying, TRYIIING to make my defender deck awesome. Thank you.
creedfox
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
if i cast a gideon jura and use his + ability to make the opponent attack my planeswalker, does the damage dealt to the planeswalker count? also, if i play a lava axe and instead of smashing the player's face i hit his planeswalker does that count as damaging a player for this card?
Belz_
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Very neat card with a great art. As someone said, combos well with Sigil of the Empty Throne. In fact I made a whole deck around those two cards.
Definitely a killer in a multiplayer game, where your opponents' end turns happen much more often.
@creedfox You're still taking damage but instead of losing life as a result, Gideon loses loyalty counters. It's still damage to you as a player but that's not what this card cares for. Similar situation when connecting with a creature equipped with a sword of feast and famine. You can make the planeswalker lose loyalty but it's controller discards a card, since s/he was damaged. The sword, unlike Luminarch ascension, cares not for loss of life but for damage instead. Could someone please confirm this, since my friends don't believe hitting a planeswalker with your general in edh counts a general damage.
GrehFox
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I hate this card more than Vampire Nighthawk
Starcomet1
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
This card is awesome and powerful for a very cheap cost. I have this on the Deuls of the Planeswalkers video game and everytime I got the opportunity to get four counters on it, I have won the game. The computer always makes sure to try and do everything in its power to either remove the card before you bring it out or hurt you every turn so it is able to bring out a strong card then you are out of luck.
An ultimate display of White using the power of an army to win the game.
bijart_dauth
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
another one of those cards that is simultaneously weaker and stronger in multi player. Stronger as your enemies end there turns much more often (sense there's more of them) but weaker as it paints a giant target on your face. Another example would be the Flailing cards. Cause your enemies might try to help you keep it alive/stronger whenever you attack one of there enemies.
Tetsu_tora
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
I slobbered on my keyboard...at least I THINK it's slobber. Nice card. Broken in a good way.
"Back in them good ol' days, we were using Mobilization and it got the job done. now them lil wee lads plays with them silly ascensions that puts out them big 4/4 fliers for 1 less mana."
but u see, I lied. I started playing magic when ravnica and kamigawa was around :) it was fun fun.
tantallum99
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
if you can get the 4 counters, it'll be game over once you start pooping out 4/4 angels. which is easy enough to do with cards like holy day, ethereal haze, kami of false hope--and that's only in white. play with green and use fog, tangle, etc.
Surprised it doesn't cost more to play or have mythic status.
You can pump 2 mana per angel, and continue since there's no tapping. If you can proliferate it takes even less time. ETC.
Diab0l0
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
This guy could probably be friend with Hedron-Field Purists? It could work well when using proliferate.
Lavrant
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Puts a big ol' target on your forehead in EDH. Fun though.
Gaussgoat
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is hands down one of the best cards I have ever had the privelage to play in a deck. If this thing lands on the table and isn't answered promptly, it is GAME. It has gotten me out of so many jams it is ridiculous.
I used to sideboard it in my white knights deck, now it is one of the best pieces in there.
5/5
Tigerguy786
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The way we used to play Archenemy, this would activate really fast, but not anymore.
Still good card in the right deck. Like a lot of really good rares, it can't just be thrown into a deck it has to fit the synergy of the entire thing (though it isn't specifically a build around card).
stille_nacht
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
my friend has 2 of these as a win con for his legacy staxx deck. it is evil
nothing is more fun then getting tapped by a tanglewire, or locked by trinisphere while he sets up a crucible of worlds/smokestack lock. then he plays this and i scoop :
ObsessedAddict
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Great card - I have a deck that revolves around tutoring for this, getting it out and then massing fog effects until I overwhelm with angels. :D 5/5
SauceyCoffee
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's nice to have a few of them paired with some Sterling Grove :B
kiseki
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It is likely to get a counter or two in the turns following a Jokulhaups.
zenitramleirdag
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
this would fit well in some parfait builds..
Firenzen
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Might work pretty well in white token deck. Combo with Intangible Virtue and you'll get some nice 5/5 Flying, Vigilance Angels :)
ked8923
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(2 votes)
stupid question but i have to ask, does this get a counter at the end of my turn too? would seem a bit much if it did
just curious b/c it seems that most cards don't referance multiple opponents
GrimjawxRULES
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@ked8923: Nope, this only gets counters at the beginning of your opponents' end step. It uses the plural (opponents) because, if you're playing a free-for-all multiplayer game with four other players, and you're not attacked for a whole round of turns, then you'll start your next turn with 4 quest counters on the Ascension.
pedrodyl
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(4 votes)
or If you do play it in casual multiplayer, play a Dissipation Field
COME AT ME BRO(s)
democidist
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Combos very well with Angelic Chorus. Pay 2 whenever you like to get a 4/4 Flying and 4 life, sounds like a good deal to me.
dragonhat
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Once you get this thing going, it's like a Jade Mage, except the tokens are cheaper and are four times tougher with flying. And if you have an Honor of the Pure, those things will match up to your average dragon. Good luck, everyone who faces this!
TheWrathofShane
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(2 votes)
I rated this card a half a star because its just absurd. It sickens me, beyond win conidtion for a 2 drop enchantment thats not that hard to meet the conditions.
Step 1: Drop this Step 2: Watch them panic and drop everything to try to stop this thing Step 3: Wrath of God...... Herp de Derp de DERP.
Enchantment is by far the hardest perm to get rid of........ Should have costed to activate, and it still would have been good, and given your opponent a chance. For those of you who think thats too much, then obviously you have never played with this card and saw how easy it was to win games with it.
This was played as a Sideboard Card when it was in Standard.
Hey you Control Person, Ill charge this while you Set up your Stability.
maxhealing
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
when i suffer life damage by a 4/4 creature but i cast a heal spell for example http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=189180 , may i put a quest counter on luminarch ascension?
Totema
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@maxhealing: Nope. You lost life. It doesn't matter that you gained it back.
I plan on running this with Storm Cauldron and Serra's Sanctum in a Green, White, and Blue Enchanted Evening / Landfall deck. It would get dumb quick, like dozens of 4/4 flying Angels in a single turn dumb.
If that sounds like too many cards to be a legitimate combo, understand that isn't the only combo in there and this deck works like Voltron. It's alright with a piece or two in place, but the more you hook up, the better it gets. I likely won't get this combo out just because either I'll have won already or I'll draw the combined wrath of my opponents long before then.
ForeverRogue
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I'd LOVE to have one (or two) of these. I've constructed my deck with an infinite mana loop (Auriok Salvager + Lion's Eye Diamond) so I'll be able to summon a million angels. I'm already summoning a million myrs...angels are just cooler.
I haven't played this card yet, but I'd love to in casual multiplayer or even Two-Headed Giant :D
Knight-Master
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I cannot believe that I traded this, a Sun Titan, and two copies of Hyena Umbra just to acquire Hero of Bladehold. That's what I get for remaining dedicated to my knights...
blurrymadness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Brutal
The only cards that make you this much of a target in multi-player are other Ascensions and Nihil Stone type cards. They just make you say "GRRR!!"
Arachnos
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Angel Summoner Ascension.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFuMpYTyRjw
Your opponent will start feeling like BMX Bandit if he lets you get the effect off.
Xineombine
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
White has so many Turbo Fogs that it's not even funny, this card is easy to get going and once you do, it can't be stopped...
Comments (96)
It's really easy to not get hit for a couple turns. See turbo fog decks, or stasis varients. You don't even have to base a deck around it. Just drop it turn 2, then play as normal. Your opponent has to go crazy trying to hit you every turn, or kill it. Because if it ever gets 4 counters, that's probably game.
A lot.
what can i say? 5/5
got me 9 booster *smiley face*
That said, this and the black one seem to be the only good Ascensions.
It beat ob nixilis with it, I beat kor tribal with it, I beat a gb aggro with a well timed WoG and this card, only lost to a haste deck and a mill/charger deck today at the release
1.Noble Hierarch/Paradise Birds/etc...
2.This
3.Two angels (if at least 5 players/4 opponents)
4.even MOAR ANGELZ!
If you play it on turn 2, you still have to wait 'til turn 5 to be able to get some tokens. However you lost a card, a turn 2 drop and a cardslot in you deck. If you're not going first, it becomes even harder to compete with your opponent. And even if you are lucky enough that your opponent didn't had a chance to deal damage to you, he might have a naturalize ready.
But what's even worse. This card is nearly a dead card, if you don't draw it on turn 2 - like those cards with suspend or spore counters.
The biggest problem I have with this card:
I don't know where I should use it. I wouldn't use it in any beatdown deck, because I would rather prefer a Path to Exile or any damaging effect. I won't use it in a heavy control deck, because these decks tend to win with a few lifepoints left and it would cost a cardslot.
And even if I would build a deck around it (like the fog-draw) decks, I still wouldn't feel happy with this card, 'cause it would use up my "win con" slot and there are more stable win-cards. So where should I use it.
In multiplayer, this card would be quite powerful - once or maybe twice. Sure, with some mana accel, you can play this card on turn one and if you're going first, you might be able to activate this card on turn 2. But an early thread often leads to an early death. Your opponents will gang up against you and you might lose nonetheless.
In limited however, this card is definitely a poewrful card. A few bad draws for your opponent and you have nearly won the game.
- BEST ENCHANTMENT
- BEST 2 MANA CARD
- BEST WHITE CARD
WHY?... because this card placed me #2 in limited, helping me win 15 rares and mythic rares including Sorin Markov and lotus cobra!!!
best turn 2 drop especially in multiplayer games
The point being, even if it doesn't get to 4 counters to make angels, in order to stop it, the opponent must use up spells and sometimes creatures that they would otherwise have saved or taken out your own creatures with. In essence, although it doesn't look like it, luminarch ascension is a whole bunch of card advantage.
not turn... so you dont have to wait 4 turns... just 4 phases...
4.5
5/5 for the art ^^
..
Ok, so lots of decks do have at least one of those things, but still, Grimn777 is totally right - making your opponent move against his will and throw everything at you is excelent thing on its own. It takes away the luxury of choice from him.
...
Not to mention what happens when you actually manage to pump it up, but others said all that already (it's not hard to figure it out, anyway). Then it becomes overpowered, by my opinion. The ability should cost 3W or so, by my opinion.
Wow, really? You win by dealing damage?
:O
What has this game come to...... *shakes head*
Good for overwhelming your opponents.
There are stupid ideas I have for crappy enchantments that I would like to build a deck or two around. In these decks, the strategy doesn't begin until turn three or four. Why? Because those enchantments (or whatever permanent) do not cost less than four mana:
"Oh, watch out, he's playing his Earth Surge deck"
"What's he going to do?" _"He's going tap out his third or fourth turn to play this enchantment called Earth Surge blah blah...."
"Well, if it costs 4 mana, I'll just make sure to keep Cancel mana open" (how insulting)
Having lived through the age of Bitterblossom (apologies for bad memories) we all know that Wizards has no problem making a hot card. The think that annoys me is that they only make a very few hot cards in an age- limiting people's English vocabulary to no more than 10 words. The game becomes like Star Trek and the ascension enchantments are like Borgs going around owning play-groups telling them that "resistance is futile". The game has many cards, only a handful of them matter. I wished I played the game long ago, when there were a lot more possible viable strategies, rather than nowadays where it is like "You want play stall game? You play this card. No? Then you play vampire". At least Mirrodin was a bit more up front in being unbalanced so that it rather amusing.
Not to say that this card is broken..... which is why it is the third dumbest ascension.
P.s in multiplayer you may as well pick up your cards when you see this cos it just takes one definisive or weak player and your all sc-re-wed
My brother-in-law has a casual RW standard deck that has one copy of this card in it. Every time he's played it, I've lost. In the last game I played against him, I got a turn 1 Archive Trap off and managed to snag 5-6 of his lands in one shot so he was stuck at 2 plains for most of the game. He still won. I emptied my hand trying to burn him on each of my turns (I play Grixis mill: Lightning Bolt/Blightning/Countersquall/etc) and stalled out because I drew a creature without haste too late in the game to make a difference. The ascension went active and I didn't have an answer for it, so I lost.
Even the best creatures' converted mana costs are usually at least equal to their power or toughness (i.e., Baneslayer Angel, Vampire Nighthawk). Paying 1W for a 4/4 flier at instant speed is obscene. At the very least it should've been 2W or only available at sorcery speed.
You need a multiple in your deck, to make sure you pull it early in most games. If not, then you lose space that could have gone to other win conditions. It's a bit of a gamble, but if you win, you get a huge payoff. It depends on how you play.
Also, fun to run with Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs. "Ogres or Angels! Take your pick, Mate!"
The new Leyline of Sanctity seems so nice in combination with this and a wall of defenders, which were made so much better in the Zendikar block.
I have not yet gathered all cards for the deck, but I am working very hard on it, also because my Bant deck rotates in what seems like a few minutes.
What it all boils down to is this: I love the art, the flavor, tha combos and the whiteness of it all.
Regards, the Defender Maniac.
And now we have proliferate too OO, holy smokes! Think we will see this with thrumming bird soon.
that said i want 4
That is all.
Definitely a killer in a multiplayer game, where your opponents' end turns happen much more often.
You're still taking damage but instead of losing life as a result, Gideon loses loyalty counters. It's still damage to you as a player but that's not what this card cares for. Similar situation when connecting with a creature equipped with a sword of feast and famine. You can make the planeswalker lose loyalty but it's controller discards a card, since s/he was damaged. The sword, unlike Luminarch ascension, cares not for loss of life but for damage instead.
Could someone please confirm this, since my friends don't believe hitting a planeswalker with your general in edh counts a general damage.
An ultimate display of White using the power of an army to win the game.
Step 2: Elspeth Tirel
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit.
"Back in them good ol' days, we were using Mobilization and it got the job done. now them lil wee lads plays with them silly ascensions that puts out them big 4/4 fliers for 1 less mana."
but u see, I lied. I started playing magic when ravnica and kamigawa was around :) it was fun fun.
Surprised it doesn't cost more to play or have mythic status.
It could work well when using proliferate.
I used to sideboard it in my white knights deck, now it is one of the best pieces in there.
5/5
Still good card in the right deck. Like a lot of really good rares, it can't just be thrown into a deck it has to fit the synergy of the entire thing (though it isn't specifically a build around card).
nothing is more fun then getting tapped by a tanglewire, or locked by trinisphere while he sets up a crucible of worlds/smokestack lock. then he plays this and i scoop :
5/5
just curious b/c it seems that most cards don't referance multiple opponents
COME AT ME BRO(s)
Step 1: Drop this
Step 2: Watch them panic and drop everything to try to stop this thing
Step 3: Wrath of God...... Herp de Derp de DERP.
Enchantment is by far the hardest perm to get rid of........
Should have costed
For those of you who think thats too much, then obviously you have never played with this card and saw how easy it was to win games with it.
You're welcome.
Hey you Control Person, Ill charge this while you Set up your Stability.
may i put a quest counter on luminarch ascension?
If that sounds like too many cards to be a legitimate combo, understand that isn't the only combo in there and this deck works like Voltron. It's alright with a piece or two in place, but the more you hook up, the better it gets. I likely won't get this combo out just because either I'll have won already or I'll draw the combined wrath of my opponents long before then.
I haven't played this card yet, but I'd love to in casual multiplayer or even Two-Headed Giant :D
The only cards that make you this much of a target in multi-player are other Ascensions and Nihil Stone type cards. They just make you say "GRRR!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFuMpYTyRjw
Your opponent will start feeling like BMX Bandit if he lets you get the effect off.