Elspeth, Sun's Champion MTG Card


Elspeth excels in resource acceleration by synergizing with cards to enhance token-based strategies. Her high mana cost can be limiting, but her battlefield influence justifies the investment. Elspeth remains a meta-relevant option for control decks, providing versatility and board presence.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Elspeth
Loyalty 4

Text of card

+1: Put three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield. -3: Destroy all creatures with power 4 or greater. -7: You get an emblem with "Creatures you control get +2/+2 and have flying."


Cards like Elspeth, Sun's Champion

Elspeth Sun’s Champion is a standout planeswalker within Magic: The Gathering, wielding the power to control the battlefield by generating soldier tokens and sweeping the field of powerful creatures. It parallels other cards like Ajani Steadfast which also excels in fortifying the player’s side of the field, boosting creatures’ abilities rather than creating them. However, Elspeth’s utility shines with her ultimate ability granting an emblem with a significant enduring advantage, a feat Ajani only somewhat echoes with his ultimate providing a one-time proliferate effect.

Gideon, Ally of Zendikar is another card that resonates with the theme of token generation. Like Elspeth, Gideon can consistently create tokens, and even transform into a formidable creature himself. Nevertheless, Elspeth boasts a decisive edge with her -3 ability able to clear out numerous big threats, something Gideon’s toolkit doesn’t directly offer. Then comparing her to Sorin, Solemn Visitor, whose lifelink to creatures can swing games, Elspeth still maintains a unique position with her versatility in defensive and offensive strategies.

Assessing these planeswalkers highlights Elspeth Sun’s Champion’s unique abilities in MTG, providing a blend of token generation, board control, and long-term strategic dominance.

Ajani Steadfast - MTG Card versions
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Sorin, Solemn Visitor - MTG Card versions
Ajani Steadfast - MTG Card versions
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Sorin, Solemn Visitor - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Elspeth, Sun's Champion. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Azorius MartyrAzorius Martyr ModernAzorius MidrangeF2F Tour Championship - Ottawa Round 5 (Regional Championship)
Azorius ControlAzorius Control PioneerAzorius Control21Champions Cup Final Season 2 Round 1
Abzan MidrangeAbzan Midrange ModernAbzan MidrangeModern Preliminary 2024-02-19
TronTron ModernTronModern Preliminary 2024-01-31
Five-color PlaneswalkersFive-color Planeswalkers Pioneer4c MidrangeSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Azorius Lotus FieldAzorius Lotus Field PioneerAzorius Lotus FieldSouth America Magic Series - Regional Championship (Final Regional NOV 2023)
All Other DecklistsAll Other Decklists PioneerAzorius ControlNRG Series $5,000 Trial - Madison, Wisconsin (Pioneer)
Five-color YorionFive-color Yorion Pioneer4c Indomitable CreativitySouth America Magic Series - Regional Championship (Final Regional NOV 2023)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elspeth Sun’s Champion is a well-loved planeswalker in MTG for her impressive ability to generate card advantage. Upon activating her +1 loyalty ability, you can create three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens, which not only builds your board presence but also fuels strategies reliant on having a multitude of creatures. Moreover, her -3 ability can clear the battlefield of large threats, often leaving behind your accumulated tokens for continuous pressure.

Resource Acceleration: While Elspeth herself doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, her ability to flood the board with tokens can be synergized with other cards to ramp resources. For instance, pairing her with cards that convert creatures into mana or enhance token production can lead to a significant acceleration in your gameplay. Additionally, the solid defense provided by her tokens can protect your other resource-accelerating creatures.

Instant Speed: While Elspeth’s abilities are not at instant speed, her ultimate ability can be a game-changer, granting your creatures +2/+2 and flying until the end of the game. This can be activated in just a few turns after her appearance, allowing you to swiftly pivot the state of the game. Although it requires setup, the defensive buffer offered by her tokens and her creature removal ability help ensure she reaches this powerful state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Elspeth Sun’s Champion offers valuable abilities, her -3 loyalty ability requires the player to discard cards, which can sometimes deplete hand advantages, especially in more aggressive or mid-range strategies where card economy is essential for maintaining pressure on the opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specific mana investment of two white and four other mana to cast. This presents a restriction in deck building as it demands a strong commitment to white mana, potentially limiting its inclusion in multi-color decks that can’t consistently produce the necessary white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of six mana, Elspeth Sun’s Champion is on the higher end of the mana curve. While her effects are powerful, this cost can be a hurdle in faster-paced games where swifter board development is key, and it might be too late by the time she can be played.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Elspeth Sun’s Champion offers a wide range of utility to almost any white deck. Her ability to create soldier tokens aids in board presence, while her -3 ability can clear the field of large threats, giving her a role in both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: With her ultimate ability providing an emblem for an overwhelming advantage, it’s easy to see why pairing her with proliferate effects or other planeswalker synergies can lead to powerful game states. This makes her a key piece in many combo decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given her aptitude for shifting the tides of battle, Elspeth Sun’s Champion remains a relevant inclusion in various competitive formats. In a meta-game that values control and stalling tactics, she excels by both protecting life totals with her token generation and setting up for a decisive victory.


How to beat

Contending with Elspeth Sun’s Champion in MTG requires strategic finesse and an understanding of her abilities. As a dominant planeswalker, she shines in midrange and control decks, capable of producing soldiers, decimating formidable creatures, and her ultimate’s emblem which often seals games. To effectively counter her presence, prioritize instant-speed removal spells that can disrupt her loyalty abilities such as Hero’s Downfall or Dreadbore.

Focusing on pressure is crucial; thereby, utilizing an aggressive deck that can consistently challenge her loyalty thresholds before she becomes overwhelming is advised. Taking advantage of sacrificial effects, which circumvent her token generation, can be a practical approach as well. Moreover, exerting pressure through board presence and hastened threats can force opponents to use Elspeth defensively, lessening her long-term impact and making her more susceptible to being overpowered.

Additionally, incorporating enchantment removal or direct planeswalker interaction — like cards from the Thoughtseize suite or The Elderspell — can give you leverage against Elspeth Sun’s Champion. By deploying these strategies, players can turn the tide against her and maintain control over the battlefield dynamics.


BurnMana Recommendations

Elspeth Sun’s Champion stands out as a formidable addition to any MTG collection, offering versatility, token generation, and the power to clear the board. While she demands a significant mana investment, her abilities pave the way for strategic depth and late-game domination. If you want to harness the full potential of this iconic planeswalker, fine-tuning your deck to support her mana needs and protect her until her ultimate is crucial. Navigate her strengths and weaknesses for that pivotal match moment and stand triumphant. Keen on optimizing your strategy with Elspeth? We have the insights and tactics you need. Dive in with us to explore more!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elspeth, Sun's Champion MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros, 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 Elspeth, Sun's Champion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elspeth, Sun's Champion Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 596472015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
22013-09-27TherosTHS 92003NormalBlackEric Deschamps
32015-02-27Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. KioraDDO 12015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11402015NormalBorderlessUta Natsume
52022-11-02Secret Lair 30th Anniversary Countdown KitSLC 20131997NormalBlackRebecca Guay
62023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 1822015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 8202015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
82024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 622015NormalBlackEric Deschamps

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elspeth, Sun's Champion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal