Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings MTG Card


Offers significant card advantage by filtering top library cards, outpacing opponents in options and resources. Accelerates board presence, potentially unlocking additional mana sources for quicker, decisive plays. Grants strategic flexibility with instant speed actions, keeping opponents uncertain of your next move.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeEnchantment — Saga
Abilities Incubate,Transform

Text of card

(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter.) I — Incubate 2 five times, then transform all Incubator tokens you control. II — Creatures you control get +1/+1 and gain double strike until end of turn. III — Destroy all other permanents except for artifacts, lands, and Phyrexians. Exile The Argent Etchings, then return it to the battlefield (front face up).


Cards like Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings

Within the landscape of powerful Magic: The Gathering creatures, Elesh Norn stands out as a formidable mono-white Praetor. Its ability to strengthen your creatures while weakening your opponents’ is a dual-edged sword unmatched by many. Comparable cards include Sheoldred, Whispering One, another Praetor whose ability to resurrect creatures from the graveyard every turn pairs well with Elesh Norn’s field dominance.

However, Elesh Norn has a distinct edge in its global effect – much like the enchantment Glorious Anthem, which also buffs your creatures – but the addition of a global debuff on your opponent’s creatures is a trait exclusively powerful. In contrast, the anthem effect is solely positive, without the detrimental effect on your opponent’s board. Additionally, Linvala, Keeper of Silence offers a different form of control by preventing activated abilities, aligning more with Elesh Norn’s oppressive playstyle than with augmenting your creature’s damage output like Glorious Anthem.

In certain control strategies, Elesh Norn outpaces these similar cards by offering a two-pronged attack on the battlefield. Its impact across the board for both strengthening allies and weakening enemies grants it a notable position as a game-changer in white’s MTG arsenal.

Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Linvala, Keeper of Silence - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Linvala, Keeper of Silence - MTG Card versions

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Castle - MTG Card versions
Karma - MTG Card versions
Conversion - MTG Card versions
Angelic Voices - MTG Card versions
Seeker - MTG Card versions
Drought - MTG Card versions
Justice - MTG Card versions
Divine Transformation - MTG Card versions
Null Chamber - MTG Card versions
Field of Souls - MTG Card versions
Light of Day - MTG Card versions
Pegasus Refuge - MTG Card versions
Opal Titan - MTG Card versions
Serra's Liturgy - MTG Card versions
Ivory Mask - MTG Card versions
Parallax Wave - MTG Card versions
Worship - MTG Card versions
Serra's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Diversionary Tactics - MTG Card versions
Sphere of Grace - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elesh Norn, when combined with The Argent Etchings, provides significant card advantage. The ability to look at the top seven cards of your library and potentially put a card with a higher converted mana cost into your hand puts you in an advantageous position, as it outpaces your opponents in terms of options and overall resources.

Resource Acceleration: This formidable card also offers a level of resource acceleration. It allows you to place additional permanents onto the battlefield, which not only accelerates your board presence but also has the potential to generate additional mana by untapping lands or creatures with utility abilities. This can lead to swifter and more decisive plays, giving you the upper hand in the resource race.

Instant Speed: The capability to execute actions at instant speed with The Argent Etchings grants you the flexibility to respond to opponents’ moves strategically. This advantage cannot be understated, as it affords the opportunity to make optimal decisions based on the evolving state of the game, keeping your opponents guessing and on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside of Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings in gameplay is the discard requirement to activate its abilities. This can deplete your hand quickly and may put you at a disadvantage if you’re unable to maintain a sufficient number of cards.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana combination which can be challenging to meet, especially in decks that run multiple colors. Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings requires a commitment to white mana, which might restrict its inclusion only to mono-white or decks where white is a major component.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its abilities, Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings comes with a high mana cost. This can slow down your play, potentially giving opponents time to establish their board or counter your strategies. In the fast-paced dynamics of the game, cheaper alternatives might be favored for efficiency.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Elesh Norn, the Grand Cenobite, has proven itself a formidable force across numerous deck types. In Commander, this card thrives as a game-ending bomb in white-based control or reanimator strategies, significantly weakening opponents’ creatures while strengthening your own. The Argent Etchings version brings a stunning alternate art that provides a collector’s appeal on top of its in-game power.

Combo Potential: Her ability to give a substantial buff to your creatures while shrinking those of your opponents can create one-sided board states in an instant. Elesh Norn’s static abilities mesh impeccably with token strategies, essentially turning even the most innocuous 1/1s into threatening board presences, or as a part of a lockdown combo with cards like “Living Plane” to incapacitate opponents’ lands.

Meta-Relevance: Competitive formats are often shaped by how well deck-builders can anticipate and counteract the dominant strategies. Elesh Norn offers a resilient answer to creature-heavy metas. Whether it’s making your opponent’s aggressive creatures ineffectual or breaking through stalemates in board control matchups, The Argent Etchings special edition of Elesh Norn holds its value as a meta-relevant staple in both gameplay and aesthetics.


How to beat

Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite presents a challenging threat on MTG battlefields. Known for her ability to weaken opponent’s creatures while strengthening your own, this Praetor from New Phyrexia demands a strategic approach to overcome. One key strategy in neutralizing Elesh Norn’s influence is prioritizing removal spells that can target her directly, such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider. These not only bypass her static abilities but also deal with the immediate threat.

Another effective tactic is to employ instant-speed interactions, enabling you to respond to her cast before her board-altering effect kicks in. Counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto are excellent tools in this regard. Lastly, when facing The Argent Etchings version of Elesh Norn, ensuring that your creatures can surpass the -2/-2 debuff is crucial. Utilizing creatures with high toughness or indestructible abilities can help preserve your board presence against her oppressive aura. Combining these strategies will help maintain board control and mitigate the impact of this formidable MTG card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unraveling the complexities of Elesh Norn in conjunction with The Argent Etchings can vastly enhance your deck’s performance, providing both potent board control and a unique edge in card advantage. Delving further into the nuances of these cards reveals strategies to optimize your gameplay, ensuring you’re always one step ahead. Acknowledging the cons, such as the high mana cost and discard requirements, is as crucial as capitalizing on their strengths. If you’re keen on mastering these dynamics and integrating this powerful card duo into your arsenal, explore our in-depth insights and expert analyses. Enhance your understanding and gameplay, and watch your MTG battles transform.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine and March of the Machine, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-04-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 122015TransformBlackMagali Villeneuve
22023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 2922015TransformBorderlessKekai Kotaki
32023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 3382015TransformBorderlessRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-04-14 Elesh Norn’s triggered ability will trigger separately for each permanent dealt damage by a source an opponent controls, plus once if you’re dealt damage by that source. For example, if an opponent casts a spell that deals damage to you and two creatures you control, Elesh Norn’s ability will trigger three times. Each of those abilities will cause that opponent to lose 2 life unless they pay .
2023-04-14 Similarly, the triggered ability will trigger separately for each source an opponent controls that deals damage to you or a permanent you control. For example, if three creatures controlled by an opponent block and deal damage to an attacking creature you control, Elesh Norn’s ability will trigger three times.