Dark Ascension

Dark Ascension is the second set in the Innistrad block. It is the 57th Magic expansion and was released on February 3, 2012.
==Set details==
Dark Ascension, like its predecessor, is top-down designed with a horror theme. The set contains 158 cards (64 Common, 44 Uncommon, 38 Rare, 12 Mythic) and includes randomly inserted premium versions of all cards in the set. The set puts a stronger emphasis on tribal creature types, such as providing a lord for each of the main types (vampires, ghosts, werewolves, zombies and humans). All the major mechanics of the previous set, including double-faced cards, return. New mechanics are Fateful Hour and Undying. The expansion symbol of the set is the Innistrad symbol "turned inward", which represents humanity hunkering down.Ask Brady (dead link)
===Flavor and storyline===
Innistrad has been overrun by creatures of the night. While the forces of good struggle to hold back the threat, villagers cower behind walls and pray for the morning light. The humans are on the verge of extinction and have to take desperate measures to stem the tide. It is revealed that Avacyn, the guardian angel created by Sorin is locked in the Helvault.
====Magic Story====
Title 	Author 	Release Date	Setting (plane)	Featuring
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed	Jenna Helland	2011-10-26 	Innistrad 	Mikaeus Cecani, Geralf Cecani, Gisa Cecani, Grimgrin, Alwin, Traken, Avacyn, Lothar, Thalia, "Lili"
====Savor the Flavor====
Title 	Author 	Release Date	Setting (plane)	Featuring
A Backstory Update for Dark Ascension	Doug Beyer	2012-01-04 	Innistrad 	Avacyn, Liliana, Griselbrand, Garruk
Sorin's Homecoming 	Doug Beyer	2012-01-11 	Innistrad 	Sorin, Edgar Markov, Shilgengar, Avacyn
The Prison of Silver 	Doug Beyer	2012-01-18 	Innistrad 	Edgar Markov, Shilgengar, Sorin, Avacyn, Griselbrand, Mikaeus Cecani, Liliana
The State of the Faith 	Doug Beyer	2012-01-25 	Innistrad 	Avacyn, Griselbrand, Mikaeus Cecani, Volpaig
===Marketing===
Dark Ascension was sold in 16-card boosters, 6-card boosters, five intro packs, two event decks and a fat pack. The 16-card boosters featured artwork from <c>Havengul Lich</c>, <c>Sorin, Lord of Innistrad</c> and <c>Werewolf Ransacker</c>. The small booster featured artwork from <c>Beguiler of Wills</c>.
The prerelease was January 28–29, 2012, the launch party on February 3–6, 2012, the Magic Online release on February 20, 2012. The Game Day was held on February 25–26, 2012.
At each prerelease, some number of people were designated by some flashy stickers as a vampire, werewolf, zombie, or spirit at the start of the event. Any time a monster defeated a human in a match, the monster would convert the human to their cause. At the end of each Prerelease, the remaining humans and the largest tribe or tribes of monsters would be declared winners, but the rewards were up to the organizers. The prerelease cards was the double faced <c>Ravenous Demon</c> / <c>Archdemon of Greed</c>. The Release card was <c>Mondronen Shaman</c> / <c>Tovolar's Magehunter</c>. The promotional card at the Game Day event was a full-art <c>Strangleroot Geist</c>, while a full-art foil <c>Zombie Apocalypse</c> was given to the top-8 participants. The Buy-a-Box was <c>Gravecrawler</c>.
Regular boosters of Dark Ascension come with a bonus sixteenth card that is either a Dark Ascension checklist card, a creature token, an emblem, or a rules card with an advertisement on the reverse side.
====Tokens and emblem====
The new Dark Ascension tokens and emblem are:
# 1/1 Human produced by <c>Gather the Townsfolk</c>, <c>Increasing Devotion</c>, and <c>Thraben Doomsayer</c>
# 1/1 Vampire with lifelink produced by <c>Sorin, Lord of Innistrad</c>
# 
==Themes and mechanics==
The set introduces a new keyword mechanic in Undying. It functions very similar to Persist, but instead of a -1/-1 counter, it adds a +1/+1 counter to the creature when it returns from the grave.
Fateful hour is a new ability word, which creates an ability that functions if the controller of the effect is at 5 life or less.
Double-faced cards return with this set, further showcasing the transformation mechanic. As for Innistrad a special Checklist card is provided to facilitate play with the double-face cards. Flashback, Morbid, and Curses also return.
===Creature types===
No novel creature types were introduced in this expansion.
==Cycles==
Dark Ascension breaks the mold for cycles to a certain extent, as some of the cycles only contain four cards. In cycles that emphasize an allied color pair, the green-white part of the cycle is missing. This is likely due to the higher emphasis on monster tribes, as the white/green pair is tied to humans. 
Three flashback cycles:
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Increasing flashback cards	 	 	 	 	
Increasing flashback cards	Five rare spells with Flashback, which double their effect if they are flashed back 	Five rare spells with Flashback, which double their effect if they are flashed back 	Five rare spells with Flashback, which double their effect if they are flashed back 	Five rare spells with Flashback, which double their effect if they are flashed back 	Five rare spells with Flashback, which double their effect if they are flashed back
Allied flashback cards 	 	 	 	 	
Allied flashback cards 	Each of these common spells has a flashback cost involving its counter-clockwise ally on the color wheel. This cycle mirrors the ally cycle from Innistrad, which had flashback costs in the color's clockwise ally on the color wheel. 	Each of these common spells has a flashback cost involving its counter-clockwise ally on the color wheel. This cycle mirrors the ally cycle from Innistrad, which had flashback costs in the color's clockwise ally on the color wheel. 	Each of these common spells has a flashback cost involving its counter-clockwise ally on the color wheel. This cycle mirrors the ally cycle from Innistrad, which had flashback costs in the color's clockwise ally on the color wheel. 	Each of these common spells has a flashback cost involving its counter-clockwise ally on the color wheel. This cycle mirrors the ally cycle from Innistrad, which had flashback costs in the color's clockwise ally on the color wheel. 	Each of these common spells has a flashback cost involving its counter-clockwise ally on the color wheel. This cycle mirrors the ally cycle from Innistrad, which had flashback costs in the color's clockwise ally on the color wheel.
Enemy flashback cards 	 	 	 	 	
Enemy flashback cards 	Each of these uncommon spells has a flashback cost involving the enemy color two slots later on the color wheel. They are the reverse of a cycle from Innistrad, as the colors of the flashback cost and the regular casting cost are flipped.	Each of these uncommon spells has a flashback cost involving the enemy color two slots later on the color wheel. They are the reverse of a cycle from Innistrad, as the colors of the flashback cost and the regular casting cost are flipped.	Each of these uncommon spells has a flashback cost involving the enemy color two slots later on the color wheel. They are the reverse of a cycle from Innistrad, as the colors of the flashback cost and the regular casting cost are flipped.	Each of these uncommon spells has a flashback cost involving the enemy color two slots later on the color wheel. They are the reverse of a cycle from Innistrad, as the colors of the flashback cost and the regular casting cost are flipped.	Each of these uncommon spells has a flashback cost involving the enemy color two slots later on the color wheel. They are the reverse of a cycle from Innistrad, as the colors of the flashback cost and the regular casting cost are flipped.
Two monster tribal cycles:
Cycle name 	Spirit 	Zombie 	Vampire 	Werewolf 	
Mythic Rare	 	 	 	// 	
Mythic Rare	Four mythic rare creatures that are of an allied pair associated with one of four monster tribes associated with Innistrad. 	Four mythic rare creatures that are of an allied pair associated with one of four monster tribes associated with Innistrad. 	Four mythic rare creatures that are of an allied pair associated with one of four monster tribes associated with Innistrad. 	Four mythic rare creatures that are of an allied pair associated with one of four monster tribes associated with Innistrad. 	Four mythic rare creatures that are of an allied pair associated with one of four monster tribes associated with Innistrad.
Lords 	 	 	 	 	
Lords 	A cycle of uncommon cards that are allied-colored lords tied to one of the monster tribes on Innistrad. They all provide some form of benefit in addition to the standard lord effect. Immerwolf is the only one who is not named Captain.	A cycle of uncommon cards that are allied-colored lords tied to one of the monster tribes on Innistrad. They all provide some form of benefit in addition to the standard lord effect. Immerwolf is the only one who is not named Captain.	A cycle of uncommon cards that are allied-colored lords tied to one of the monster tribes on Innistrad. They all provide some form of benefit in addition to the standard lord effect. Immerwolf is the only one who is not named Captain.	A cycle of uncommon cards that are allied-colored lords tied to one of the monster tribes on Innistrad. They all provide some form of benefit in addition to the standard lord effect. Immerwolf is the only one who is not named Captain.	A cycle of uncommon cards that are allied-colored lords tied to one of the monster tribes on Innistrad. They all provide some form of benefit in addition to the standard lord effect. Immerwolf is the only one who is not named Captain.
===Mega cycle===
===Vertical cycle===
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Red Riding Hood Werewolves	// 	// 	// 	 	
Red Riding Hood Werewolves	A cycle taking inspiration from the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood", but where all the characters are also the Big Bad Wolf - the little girl, the grandmother, and the hunter that saved them.	A cycle taking inspiration from the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood", but where all the characters are also the Big Bad Wolf - the little girl, the grandmother, and the hunter that saved them.	A cycle taking inspiration from the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood", but where all the characters are also the Big Bad Wolf - the little girl, the grandmother, and the hunter that saved them.	A cycle taking inspiration from the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood", but where all the characters are also the Big Bad Wolf - the little girl, the grandmother, and the hunter that saved them.	A cycle taking inspiration from the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood", but where all the characters are also the Big Bad Wolf - the little girl, the grandmother, and the hunter that saved them.
==Reprinted cards==
*<c>Divination</c>, first printed in Magic 2010, last seen in Magic 2012
*<c>Evolving Wilds</c>, first printed in Rise of the Eldrazi
*<c>Fling</c>, first printed in Stronghold, last seen in Magic 2012
*<c>Ray of Revelation</c>, first printed in Judgment
===Functional reprints===
*<c>Gravepurge</c>, functional reprint of <c>Footbottom Feast</c> (Lorwyn)
*<c>Griptide</c>, functional reprint of <c>Repel</c> (Odyssey)
*<c>Hollowhenge Beast</c>, functional reprint of <c>Silverback Ape</c> (Starter 1999), save for creature type
*<c>Nephalia Seakite</c>, functional reprint of <c>Sentinels of Glen Elendra</c> (Lorwyn), save for creature type
*<c>Russet Wolves</c>, functional reprint of <c>Lagac Lizard</c> (Rise of the Eldrazi), <c>Canyon Minotaur</c> (Conflux), <c>Hill Giant</c> (Limited Edition), <c>Wild Jhovall</c> (Mercadian Masques), <c>Tor Giant</c> (Ice Age), <c>Ogre Warrior</c> (Portal Second Age), and <c>Barbarian Horde</c> (Portal Three Kingdoms) save for creature type
*<c>Sanctuary Cat</c>, functional reprint of <c>Devoted Hero</c> (Portal) and <c>Volunteer Militia</c> (Portal Three Kingdoms) save for creature type
===Strictly better===
*<c>Hunger of the Howlpack</c>, upgrade from <c>Battlegrowth</c> (Mirrodin)
*<c>Midnight Guard</c>, upgrade from <c>Shu Foot Soldiers</c> (Portal Three Kingdoms) and <c>Alaborn Trooper</c> (Portal Second Age)
*<c>Somberwald Dryad</c>, upgrade from <c>Rushwood Dryad</c> (Mercadian Masques) and <c>Grizzly Bears</c> (Alpha)
*<c>Thought Scour</c>, upgrade from <c>Ray of Erasure</c> (Ice Age) and <c>Mental Note</c> (Judgment)
==Notable cards==
*<c>Archangel's Light</c> is a notoriously weak card, particularly for a mythic rare.
*<c>Gravecrawler</c> and <c>Geralf's Messenger</c> formed the backbone of Zombie decks in Standard, as both are hard to kill and can push a lot of damage through in early turns. Geralf's Messenger, in particular, is a conceptual mirrored version of <c>Kitchen Finks</c> which was a popular aggro card during Lorwyn-Shadowmoor block; providing life loss against life gain, getting stronger upon death as opposed to weaker and being extremely inflexible in casting as opposed to being fairly easy to cast.
*<c>Grafdigger's Cage</c> is a powerful hoser card against strategies that attempt to cheat cards into play. This card incited widespread skepticism and anger but turned out to not be as threatening as expected. It nevertheless became a staple in the eternal formats, especially out of the sideboard.
*<c>Huntmaster of the Fells</c> provided two bodies in one card, as well as lifegain and potential damage output, resulting in seeing heavy play in Standard.
*<c>Elbrus, the Binding Blade</c> is a very flavorful artifact, depicting an expensive but weak dagger, which transforms into the gigantic and nigh-unstoppable Demon <c title="Withengar">Withengar Unbound</c> who feasts on the souls of defeated opponents.
*<c>Tragic Slip</c> was once one of the best spot creature removal cards in the game, due to its ability to destroy almost any creature for one mana, provided that another creature already died that turn.
*<c>Thalia, Guardian of Thraben</c> is a staple in Death and Taxes in both Legacy and Modern and has seen play on both of its times through Standard.
*<c>Mikaeus, the Unhallowed</c> is well known in casual Commander for having an infinite combo loop with numerous creatures, most commonly <c>Triskelion</c>.
*<c>Thought Scour</c> has seen substantial play in both Modern and Pauper decks that combine control style spells with aggressive finishers that benefit from a filled graveyard, as well as Modern decks focused on aggressively milling the opponent.
*<c>Young Wolf</c> did not see much success in Standard but has proven powerful in both Pauper, where it is a key part of multiple aggro decks, and Bogles style decks, and in Modern, where it is one of the main combo pieces in decks built around <c>Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</c>.
*<c>Strangleroot Geist</c> was a key part of standard aggro decks with an efficient and hasty body and resilience to removal, and continues to see play in decks similar to Young Wolf in Modern such as Yawgmoth and Chord Toolbox.
 
===Banned and restricted cards===
*<c>Faithless Looting</c> showed the shift toward "looting" (a la <c>Merfolk Looter</c>) abilities in Red, although later sets shifted towards having the discard happen before drawing. Regardless, the card proved to be exceptionally powerful for any deck that cares about the graveyard, providing both great card selection and cheap access to repeatable discard. It even works great in multiples, which could also be discarded but still provide value through flashback. After many years of enabling graveyard strategies, it was banned in Modern in 2019 the wake of <c>Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis</c> decks plaguing the format for months. Five years later, it was unbanned in an attempt to revitalize older strategies and fight the perception that Modern had become solely about decks created in the Horizons series.
*<c>Lingering Souls</c> saw widespread application in nearly all formats and was banned in Block Constructed due to providing a large number of creatures with the cost spread over multiple turns. It remained a powerhouse in Modern for many years, although it has fallen out of favor as more powerful creatures have been printed.
==Trivia==
*The art of <c>Undying Evil</c> references a famous scene from Sam Raimi's 1981 film The Evil Dead.
==Preconstructed decks==
===Intro packs===
Dark Ascension features five intro packs.
===Event decks===
Dark Ascension features two event decks.
==References==
==External links==
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