Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator + Unspeakable Symbol

Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator

Unspeakable Symbol

How it works

1. Activate Unspeakable Symbol by exiling the top three cards of your library due to Ashiok, putting a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
2. Repeat.

This insidious little engine turns your life total into a resource for absolute annihilation, relying entirely on Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator's replacement effect to bypass Unspeakable Symbol's life payment. Instead of losing life, Ashiok forces you to exile cards from the top of your library directly into the void whenever you would pay life—which Unspeakable Symbol happily demands over and over again to place +1/+1 counters on your creatures. By repeatedly activating Unspeakable Symbol, you can completely dismantle your own library card by card to fuel whatever exile-based synergies or win conditions your deck desires.