Serra Ascendant MTG Card


With a life threshold met, Serra Ascendant bolsters your board state as a formidable 6/6 flying lifelink creature. Its low mana cost and potential synergy with lifelink strategies make it a strategic offensive asset in MTG. Despite limitations such as specific mana demands, Serra Ascendant is a meta-relevant card with significant combo potential.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Monk
Abilities Lifelink
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Lifelink (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.) As long as you have 30 or more life, Serra Ascendant gets +5/+5 and has flying.


Cards like Serra Ascendant

Serra Ascendant is an impactful creature card in Magic: The Gathering, boasting a significant advantage for players who can quickly gain life. This card is often measured against other one-mana creatures like Soul Warden, which also benefits from life gain but doesn’t match the raw power level that Serra Ascendant offers once the user reaches 30 or more life.

Another card frequently compared to Serra Ascendant is Ajani’s Pridemate, which gets stronger as you gain life. Though Pridemate has the potential to become a sizeable threat, it doesn’t have the immediate board impact or the lifelink ability that Serra Ascendant provides. Finally, there’s the card Martyr of Sands, which can set up a quick life total boost to activate Serra Ascendant’s formidable ability, but by itself, lacks the offensive capabilities.

In evaluating these parallels, Serra Ascendant is uniquely positioned in MTG. It serves as a powerful early-game play that can dramatically alter the course of the game, especially in decks designed to maximize life gain synergies.

Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Ajani's Pridemate - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Sands - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Ajani's Pridemate - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Sands - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Serra Ascendant by color, type and mana cost

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Serra Ascendant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros MidrangeBoros Midrange ModernBoros MidrangeModern Challenge 32 2024-04-30
Boros AggroBoros Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Martyr ProcMartyr Proc ModernMartyr ProcModern Preliminary 2024-02-12
Mono-White MartyrMono-White Martyr ModernMono-White MidrangeDEN24 Sun 9:30 - Modern $10k Open 8-slot RCQ
Azorius MartyrAzorius Martyr ModernAzorius MidrangeLegacy European Championship Ghent
All Other DecklistsAll Other Decklists ModernMartyr ProcModern $10K Trial - SCG CON Cincinnati - Saturday - 4:00 pm (Silver)
Mono-White PrisonMono-White Prison ModernMartyr ProcModern $20K Trial - SCG CON Cincinnati - Friday - 4:00 pm (Silver)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Serra Ascendant offers a significant advantage by effectively doubling your life points threshold for its ability if played early, effectively setting you ahead of your opponent in terms of life resource while establishing board presence.

Resource Acceleration: As a one-mana creature with the potential to become a 6/6 flyer, Serra Ascendant accelerates your offensive resources without a large mana investment. This speed of play can put your opponents on a defensive stance early in the game.

Instant Speed: While Serra Ascendant itself isn’t played at instant speed, it’s an excellent enabler for cards with the lifelink mechanic, fortifying your life total quickly to utilize with instant speed effects in your deck that require a high life total.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Serra Ascendant itself doesn’t have a discard requirement, it’s often part of strategies that leverage life gain, which can involve cards that do have discard costs. This can potentially set back your hand advantage if not managed carefully.

Specific Mana Cost: Serra Ascendant demands a single white mana, which is deceptively simple but can be restrictive. It flourishes in mono-white or certain two-color decks but might not fit seamlessly into more diverse mana bases or multicolor strategies that aren’t centered around white.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even though a one-mana 1/1 creature appears efficient, Serra Ascendant’s true potential hinges on you having 30 or more life, optimizing its value. This condition can be considered a high “effective” mana cost as it dictates specific deck building around life gain to unlock its full power.


Reasons to Include Serra Ascendant in Your Collection

Versatility: Serra Ascendant shines in a variety of decks, especially Lifegain archetypes where its full potential is quickly unleashed. Its ability to become a 6/6 flying, lifelink creature for a mere single mana makes it adaptable to both aggressive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: This powerhouse works well with cards that manipulate life totals, allowing for dynamic plays and synergy with other life-centered mechanics. It becomes a significant threat when paired with cards that easily boost your life points early in the game.

Meta-Relevance: As the game constantly evolves, Serra Ascendant maintains relevance by fitting into decks that often dominate the competitive scene. Its early presence can pressure opponents and shape the pace of gameplay, making it a card to behold in varying metagame climates.


How to Beat Serra Ascendant

When facing the challenge of a Serra Ascendant in the world of Magic: The Gathering, players often feel the pressure of its swift lifegain and potential 6/6 flying threat. This small creature effectively poses a great threat once its controller’s life total hits 30 or more. The key to countering Serra Ascendant lies in swift, decisive action.

Removal spells that can target creatures regardless of size or that don’t check for life totals are essential. Path to Exile and Fatal Push are prime examples; they can dispatch the Ascendant before the life total triggers its ability. Board control with sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation can also be incredibly effective. Additionally, preventing life gain through cards such as Tainted Remedy or Erebos, God of the Dead can be a strategic approach to ensure Serra Ascendant never becomes a 6/6 threat.

Keeping a lid on your opponent’s life total can also prevent the Ascendant from escalating. Aggressive strategies focused on reducing health quickly or continuously applying pressure can outpace the life gain and mitigate the card’s impact. Ultimately, understanding the Ascendant’s strengths and having a game plan ready can turn this daunting foe into a manageable challenge.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG strategy often means recognizing key cards like Serra Ascendant that can pivot the tide of battle. With its massive potential in life gain decks, this card could be the cornerstone of your next victorious match. Ascendant’s versatility in both offensive and defensive plays makes it a significant addition to any collection. If you’re looking to escalate your game and dynamically engage with the MTG realm, consider integrating Serra Ascendant’s high-flying power into your repertoire. For deeper insights and advanced tactics, step into our community, where your MTG skills can ascend to new heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Serra Ascendant MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Iconic Masters, 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 Serra Ascendant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Serra Ascendant Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-07-16Magic 2011M11 282003NormalBlackAnthony Palumbo
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 312015NormalBlackHoward Lyon
32019-11-21Historic Anthology 1HA1 12015NormalBlackAnthony Palumbo
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11252015NormalBorderlesskozyndan
52020-09-26The ListPLST M11-282003NormalBlackAnthony Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Serra Ascendant has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-11-17 If Serra Ascendant is dealt damage at the same time that you gain life (most likely because it dealt combat damage to a creature blocking or blocked by it), and your life total becomes 30 or greater, apply its last effect before considering whether or not the damage dealt to it is lethal.
2017-11-17 In a Two-Headed Giant game, anything that cares about your life total checks your team’s life total. Serra Ascendant gets +5/+5 and has flying as long as your team has 30 or more life.