Abzan Ascendancy

Abzan Ascendancy was released in 2014 as part of the Khans of Tarkir expansion for Magic: The Gathering. The card was specifically issued as a promotional variant, identifiable by its unique collector number and the set's signature expansion symbol. It represents the Abzan Houses, a faction on the plane of Tarkir defined by their endurance and ancestral veneration, utilizing a design that mechanically reinforces the theme of resilience through the creation of spirit tokens.

The artwork was commissioned from Mark Winters, who leaned into the distinctive high-fantasy aesthetic of the Abzan culture. Winters focused on the tactile nature of the enchantment, illustrating the spiritual transformation central to the card's function. Upon release, the promotional version was integrated into the game's organized play landscape, serving as a reward for participants and collectors who sought distinct, alternate-art versions of cards that formed the core of the Khans of Tarkir draft environment.