In standard, its clearly too slow and unreliable. In commander, however, with a card drawing commander like Niv-Mizzet, this can really be a great card. First of all, games are slower so you can get this effect going. Second of all, a card drawing commander will give this a counter every turn, and third of all, in a singleton format of a hundred cards, this ability is more useful than ever.
Posted By:
nunzioni
(7/31/2012 1:14:01 PM)
In an EDH game, this and phyrexian arena to trigger it. Once triggered search out omniscience and Rush of Knowledge , play omniscience, win
Posted By:
Wormfang
(8/29/2012 8:36:36 PM)
Yawgmoth's Bargain
Posted By:
Morgaledh
(9/11/2012 10:39:56 AM)
Howling Mine, in EDH, is the Archmage's best friend.
His familiar/trusty steed he/she rides on is Consecrated Sphinx.
Works best when Kami of the Crescent Moon as your general, but... I've played with him as my general, and I can say with confidence that he isn't the best choice. In mono-blue, if you really want draw power, there's Arcanis the Omnipotent. If you want mill power, use Ambassador Laquatus or Ertai, Wizard Adept (to slow the game down).
Either way, out of all of the Ascensions, this is the weakest. Beastmaster Ascension works wonders in Token decks, Bloodchief Ascension is a milling god with Mindcrank, and Luminarch Ascension, if cast on turn 2, can activate by turn 3 (if you're playing against 3 others) and solely win you the game with 2-cost 4/4 angels.
It's n... (see all)
Posted By:
Ferlord
(10/1/2012 8:36:40 AM)
Howling Mine and Otherworld Atlas with two coumter
Posted By:
QuarterBack
(1/14/2013 4:21:22 AM)
Steady Progress is the only way I've seen to get this thing going. It's almost more than perfect for it... almost necessary.
What's even more fun is using Steady Progress, Archmage Ascension, and Pyromancer Ascension. Progress will put a charge on Pyromancer if you've already used one that game, then immediately put another charge on to finish it. Then, if you have an Archmage with at least 1 counter on it, you can Progress during an opponent's turn to put 3 (!) counters on it--2 instantly and then one at the end of the turn--not to mention you've just proliferated twice and drawn 2 cards for 3 mana and a card.
And should you manage to get this baby finally rolling, you get to search your deck for cards and then double them. Woo. Good luck with that though, this is still super hard to use. Plus you'd have to find a U/R deck that uses sorceries or instants and counters on permanants/players...
Posted By:
jerkoid
(1/14/2013 4:18:31 PM)
Teferi's Puzzle Box + Archmage Ascension + Beacon of Unrest + Mindslaver sounds like fun.
Posted By:
Memitim
(1/18/2013 2:48:53 AM)
BEAST CARD! I run a mono blue control/permission deck, combine this with Consecrated sphinx, and life is good!
Posted By:
mono_blue_forever
(1/29/2013 5:07:01 AM)
Just a little note that makes this card much stronger, if you can use it. The counter trigger can potentially proc on *each* upkeep. I run this in a U/W flicker deck. It works incredibly well with Mulldrifter. A single flicker from any source on an opponent's turn gets me an extra counter. Then, for my turn, I tap the Mulldrifter and, say, a Mistmeadow Witch for the two cards on my turn. This accelerates the Ascension by a lot. When it goes off it lets me search for Venser(or another flicker outlet)+Fiend Hunter. This turns any flicker into a permanent exile through convoluted mechanics, something the deck is not built around but-with help from this card-can use and benifit from.
Posted By:
Stinga
(3/28/2013 8:05:01 PM)
Turn 4 Ascension:
Turn 1: Forest, Joraga Treespeaker
Turn 2: Island, level up Treespeaker, Thrummingbird
Turn 3: Island, Archmage Ascension, Gitaxian Probe, attack with Thrummingbird, Words of Wisdom on their turn
Turn 4: Island, Steady Progress, attack with Thrummingbird, 3 mana open for anything
You can ascend in two turns as long as you have a Thrummingbird on the field, two draw cards in hand, and two other sources of proliferate. With more mana, just do this:
Turn X: Archmage Ascension, Steady Progress, attack with Thrummingbird
Turn X: Steady Progress, attack with Thrummingbird
And you're done. Would I ever play this card? No. I like Beseech the Queen, which is never a dead draw and can be used the turn you play it.
Posted By:
Bobth
(3/30/2013 9:41:26 AM)