Crumbling Ashes MTG Card


Crumbling Ashes converts -1/-1 counters to board control, efficiently handling opponents’ creatures. It shines in -1/-1 counter strategies, bolstering its removal power without spending extra cards. Strategic use of Crumbling Ashes places consistent pressure on opponents during each upkeep.
Crumbling Ashes - Eventide
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment
Released2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set nameEventide
Set codeEVE
Number35
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChuck Lukacs

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, destroy target creature with a -1/-1 counter on it.

"I was there to watch my brothers' quenching. I drew the slightest warmth from their dying rage." —Illulia of Nighthearth


Cards like Crumbling Ashes

Crumbling Ashes is a unique enchantment within the realm of Magic: The Gathering that has a rather niche effect. It compares to Pestilence which can wreak havoc on each creature as long as black mana is available. However, Crumbling Ashes acts on a delayed trigger, focusing specifically on creatures with -1/-1 counters and only during your upkeep. This specific targeting makes it different from the all-encompassing nature of Pestilence.

The devious Necroskitter, on the other hand, works in tandem with the mechanic of putting -1/-1 counters on creatures. Unlike Crumbling Ashes, which simply destroys creatures, Necroskitter has the added advantage of taking control of them once they perish with counters. While Crumbling Ashes clears the board slowly, Necroskitter can quickly change the tide by converting losses into gains. Blowfly Infestation is another similar card that inflicts -1/-1 counters distribution but does so in a chain reaction style rather than Crumbling Ashes’ scheduled clean-up.

Each of these cards has its place in a strategy centered around -1/-1 counters, but Crumbling Ashes stands out for its periodic and inevitable creature destruction, making it a formidable tool in any deck looking to maintain a clear board.

Pestilence - MTG Card versions
Necroskitter - MTG Card versions
Blowfly Infestation - MTG Card versions
Pestilence - MTG Card versions
Necroskitter - MTG Card versions
Blowfly Infestation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Crumbling Ashes by color, type and mana cost

Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
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Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions
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Aphemia, the Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Oversold Cemetery - MTG Card versions
Lingering Death - MTG Card versions
Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
Blight - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Seizures - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Hex - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Enfeeblement - MTG Card versions
Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Insubordination - MTG Card versions
Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions
Brain Maggot - MTG Card versions
Aphemia, the Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Oversold Cemetery - MTG Card versions
Lingering Death - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Crumbling Ashes works well with decks that rely on the -1/-1 counter strategy, turning each counter into a potential removal spell. This essentially turns the counters into a resource that can systematically dismantle your opponent’s board presence, possibly leading to card advantage by indirectly dealing with more creatures than the number of cards you’ve actually played.

Resource Acceleration: While Crumbling Ashes doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it does contribute to resource acceleration by removing threats without spending additional cards. You save on spells that you’d traditionally have to use to deal with creatures, allowing you to allocate those resources elsewhere and advance your board state more efficiently.

Instant Speed: Crumbling Ashes functions at the speed of the game’s upkeep step, which means its ability isn’t exactly at instant speed. However, it operates on a similar principle by imposing a threat during a phase of the game where responses are limited. This regular, expected trigger can disrupt your opponent’s plans right before they draw, potentially at a time when they can’t react with instant speed themselves, placing indirect pressure on their resources each turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crumbling Ashes necessitates having creatures with -1/-1 counters on them to utilize its ability effectively. Without them, it’s essentially a dead card in your hand, taking up valuable space that could be filled with more versatile options.

Specific Mana Cost: Crumbling Ashes requires both black and colorless mana to play. This specific mana cost means that players need to have a mana base that supports black, which can be limiting for those who want to include this card in a multicolored deck or who may not have the necessary mana fixing to ensure it can be played on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, it can be seen as an investment with a delayed payoff. In the fast-paced environments of some MTG formats, especially in early game scenarios, dedicating two mana to a card that doesn’t immediately affect the board could put a player at a disadvantage against decks that focus on quickly developing their board state or applying pressure.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Crumbling Ashes is a unique enchantment that becomes a strategic asset in any deck revolving around -1/-1 counters. Its ability to destroy a creature with a -1/-1 counter at the beginning of each player’s upkeep makes it a persistent threat on the board.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with other -1/-1 counter cards, amplifying its destructive capability. It becomes especially potent in decks that continuously distribute -1/-1 counters, turning it into a removal engine that can systematically dismantle your opponent’s creatures each turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creatures are central to victory, maintaining control over the battlefield is crucial. Crumbling Ashes provides an ongoing advantage in such metas, acting as a deterrent for opponents to deploy creatures without an immediate effect or those with lingering vulnerabilities.


How to beat

Confronting Crumbling Ashes in Magic: The Gathering requires a precise approach, as this enchantment can be a continuous source of frustration, targeting creatures with -1/-1 counters on them. One reliable method is to focus on removing the card itself. Disenchant effects are pivotal, allowing you to directly destroy the enchantment thereby neutralizing its threat. Counterspells serve as a preemptive measure, ensuring Crumbling Ashes never hits the battlefield in the first place.

A less direct but effective strategy is to manage the counters. Using cards that prevent -1/-1 counters from being placed on your creatures, like Melira, Sylvok Outcast, can render Crumbling Ashes moot. Alternatively, employing hexproof or shroud abilities protects your creatures from being targeted, which in turn prevents Crumbling Ashes from being activated. However, this tactic isn’t full-proof as global -1/-1 counter distribution effects can circumvent such protections.

Ultimately, understanding your deck’s strengths and incorporating counteractive measures is key when facing down the persistent threat of Crumbling Ashes. Adjusting your deck to anticipate such enchantments ensures that your creatures remain a viable and enduring force throughout the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The dynamic world of MTG is ever-shifting, and knowing how to maximize each card’s potential can turn the tide of any match. With Crumbling Ashes, you gain a controlled method to keep your opponent’s creatures at bay. In decks engineered around -1/-1 counters, this card’s value skyrockets, becoming an underpinning to your winning strategy. Understanding the interplay of cards like Crumbling Ashes and how it affects the board state is crucial, whether you’re refining an existing deck or brewing something new. Dive deeper with us as we explore strategies and card synergies that will set you up for victory. Unleash the full power of your MTG collection and forge a path to dominance.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crumbling Ashes MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Crumbling Ashes and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crumbling Ashes has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crumbling Ashes card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2008-08-01 If the targeted creature loses all its -1/-1 counters by the time the ability resolves, the ability won’t resolve because its only target is illegal. The creature won’t be destroyed.
2008-08-01 This ability is mandatory. If you’re the only player who controls a creature with a -1/-1 counter on it as your upkeep begins, you must target one of your own creatures.
2008-08-01 You can’t target a creature unless it already has a -1/-1 counter on it as your upkeep begins. Putting a -1/-1 counter on a creature during your upkeep won’t let Crumbling Ashes destroy it that turn.