Trial of Ambition is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
When this enchantment enters, target opponent sacrifices a creature of their choice. When a Cartouche you control enters, return this enchantment to its owner's hand.
Complete guide
Trial of Ambition is a versatile black enchantment that provides repeated removal when paired with the right allies. By forcing your opponent to make difficult choices, it ensures you stay ahead on board presence. Its ability to return to your hand makes it a persistent threat throughout the game.
Forcing the Sacrifice
When Trial of Ambition enters the battlefield, its first triggered ability goes on the stack. You must choose a target opponent. Upon resolution, that opponent must choose and sacrifice one creature they control. Because the opponent chooses the creature, this card can bypass keywords like Hexproof or Protection that specifically prevent targeting, though it cannot affect players with Hexproof.
The Cartouche Connection
The true power of this enchantment lies in its second ability. Whenever a Cartouche enters the battlefield under your control, Trial of Ambition triggers to return itself to your hand. This allows you to cast it again, triggering the sacrifice effect once more. Note that the Trial must actually be on the battlefield when this ability resolves to return to your hand; if it is destroyed in response, it remains in the graveyard.
Timing and Strategy
Trial of Ambition is most effective when your opponent has only one or two powerful creatures. Since the opponent chooses which creature to sacrifice, you should aim to play this after you have cleared out smaller tokens or 'chump' creatures using other spells. It is a sorcery-speed effect, so plan your turn around your opponent's available blockers.
Interaction examples
You cast Trial of Ambition on turn two. Your opponent controls a single powerful creature. When the enchantment enters, the triggered ability forces them to sacrifice that creature. You now have an enchantment on the board ready to be bounced back to your hand later.
Black Market ConnectionsWith Trial of Ambition already on the battlefield, you start your turn with Black Market Connections. You choose to create a 3/2 Shapeshifter token. While the token helps you stabilize the board, the Trial continues to sit on the battlefield, waiting for a Cartouche to reset its enter-the-battlefield effect for more removal.
Phyrexian ArenaYou have Phyrexian Arena providing you extra cards each turn. You use these extra cards to dig for Cartouche spells. Once you find one, you play it, returning Trial of Ambition to your hand. Using the extra mana and card draw from the Arena, you can immediately recast Trial of Ambition to force another sacrifice.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Trial of Ambition
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Each Trial has an ability to return to your hand when a Cartouche enters the battlefield under your control. The Trial is returned to its owner’s hand only if it’s on the battlefield as the ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Trial of Ambition
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.