Ashnod's Altar + Resourceful Defense
Produces: Infinite colorless mana, Infinite creature ETB, Infinite creature LTB, Infinite creature sacrifice triggers, Infinite death triggers
- Ashnod's Altar
- Resourceful Defense
- Color identity
- W
Prerequisites
At least one persist creature has a +1/+1 counter on it.
Steps
- Activate Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing the persist creature that has a +1/+1 counter on it, adding {C}{C}.
- When that creature dies, its persist ability and Resourceful Defense trigger.
- Resolve Resourceful Defense's ability, putting at least two +1/+1 counters onto the surviving persist creature due to the counter-increasing effect.
- If that creature had a -1/-1 counter on it, remove that and one of the +1/+1 counters from it as a state-based action.
- Resolve the persist ability from step 2, returning the persist creature from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter.
- Repeat.
How to execute this combo
The "Ashnod's Altar + Resourceful Defense" combo takes 6 steps in order. Make sure you have the mana open and permanents listed in the prerequisites before you start — opponents can respond between steps.
The end result: Infinite colorless mana, Infinite creature ETB, Infinite creature LTB, Infinite creature sacrifice triggers, Infinite death triggers.
Practice the line offline: lay out the cards, walk through each step, and note where you can lose the combo (summoning sickness, lack of priority, removal on a key permanent). In game, announce each step clearly; in casual play you can offer to shortcut after demonstrating the loop.
The best window is a turn when opponents are tapped out or after they commit a spell — hold protection (a counter, Vexing Shusher) if the combo wins on the spot.