Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis MTG Card


Elspeth enhances board presence with token generation and boosts creature potency effectively. Limited to white mana, she may restrict deck variety but excels in focused strategies. Escape mechanic and versatility ensure Elspeth’s relevance in diverse MTG metagames.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Elspeth
Abilities Escape
Loyalty 5

Text of card


-1: Up to two target creatures you control each get +2/+1 until end of turn.
-2: Create two 1/1 white Human Soldier creature tokens.
-3: You gain 5 life. Escape—, Exile four other cards from your graveyard. (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its escape cost.)


Cards like Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis

Elspeth, Sun’s Nemesis reshapes the landscape of planeswalkers in MTG with its unique escape mechanic and versatile array of abilities. This card finds an interesting parallel in Ajani, Strength of the Pride which also spotlights life gain and creature support, although it does not possess an escape mechanic. Elspeth allows players to bring her back from the graveyard, amplifying strategic depth. Gideon Blackblade serves as another comparison point for Elspeth. While Gideon offers indestructibility and a similar creature support role through his loyalty abilities, he lacks Elspeth’s ability to return after being defeated.

Analogous to Elspeth in the aspect of multi-faceted utility is Kaya, Orzhov Usurper, who also presents an ability to exile cards from an opponent’s graveyard. However, Kaya’s range and type of graveyard interaction differ from Elspeth’s self-recursion. Furthermore, Kaya impacts both life totals and graveyard synergy but doesn’t provide the battlefield influence through token creation as Elspeth does.

Through the lens of versatility and recurring potential, Elspeth, Sun’s Nemesis carves a distinct niche for herself among MTG planeswalkers, offering a multifaceted approach to control and resilience in gameplay.

Ajani, Strength of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Gideon Blackblade - MTG Card versions
Kaya, Orzhov Usurper - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Strength of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Gideon Blackblade - MTG Card versions
Kaya, Orzhov Usurper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis by color, type and mana cost

The Wanderer - MTG Card versions
Grand Master of Flowers - MTG Card versions
Ajani Goldmane - MTG Card versions
The Wandering Emperor - MTG Card versions
Elspeth, Knight-Errant - MTG Card versions
Gideon, Champion of Justice - MTG Card versions
Ajani Steadfast - MTG Card versions
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants - MTG Card versions
Serra the Benevolent - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Strength of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Ajani Goldmane // Ajani Goldmane - MTG Card versions
Teyo, Aegis Adept - MTG Card versions
Archangel Elspeth - MTG Card versions
The Wanderer - MTG Card versions
Grand Master of Flowers - MTG Card versions
Ajani Goldmane - MTG Card versions
The Wandering Emperor - MTG Card versions
Elspeth, Knight-Errant - MTG Card versions
Gideon, Champion of Justice - MTG Card versions
Ajani Steadfast - MTG Card versions
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants - MTG Card versions
Serra the Benevolent - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Strength of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Ajani Goldmane // Ajani Goldmane - MTG Card versions
Teyo, Aegis Adept - MTG Card versions
Archangel Elspeth - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Orzhov PlaneswalkersOrzhov Planeswalkers GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024
Boros ControlBoros Control GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Mono-White AggroMono-White Aggro PioneerMono-White HumansPeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event
Abzan PlaneswalkersAbzan Planeswalkers GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis excels in card utility through her -1 loyalty ability, allowing players to get ahead by creating two 1/1 Soldier creature tokens. This not only bolsters board presence but also offers tactical versatility, potentiating various strategic plays that can leverage those tokens.

Resource Acceleration: Her -2 loyalty ability serves as a potent resource acceleration tool. By granting a creature a +2/+1 boost, it enhances offensive capabilities without expending additional cards from the hand, effectively compressing more power into existing resources.

Instant Speed: While not an instant herself, Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis can provide instant-speed benefits indirectly. Her -3 loyalty ability gives your creatures protection from the color of your choice until your next turn, which can be paramount during an opponent’s turn to ward off threats or block lethal damage, showcasing a form of interaction often associated with instant speed timing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not applicable to Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis, some cards can set you back by forcing discards. Fortunately, Elspeth works around your hand without such drawbacks.

Specific Mana Cost: Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis requires two white mana, tying you to a white-centric or at least two-color deck, thus limiting deck-building flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two that are color-specific, there are alternative planeswalkers or spells that can be cast sooner, potentially offering a faster impact on the game.


Reasons to Include Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis in Your Collection

Versatility: Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis is a planeswalker that boasts flexibility in gameplay, capably fitting into various white decks. Her array of abilities allow players to generate tokens, gain life, or even buff your entire team, making her useful in different board states and situations.

Combo Potential: Her -1 loyalty ability synergizes well with strategies that look to amass an army quickly. Plus, the abilities of Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis can also be recurved from the graveyard using her escape mechanic, providing persistent value that combos nicely with graveyard-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that cycles between aggressive and control archetypes, Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis offers a versatile toolset. Whether you’re looking to stabilize against aggro with life gain and blockers or pressuring control opponents by recurring her from the graveyard, Elspeth adjusts to the current game flow seamlessly.


How to beat

Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis is a versatile planeswalker in MTG, renowned for her ability to create tokens and manipulate the battlefield. When facing this card, one strategy is to prioritize direct damage spells or creatures with haste to quickly reduce her loyalty. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Questing Beast can apply immediate pressure. Alternatively, leveraging removal spells that can bypass her token defenses such as Doom Blade or Murder is key to reaching her directly.

Control decks can also efficiently handle Elspeth with counterspells such as Dovin’s Veto or Thoughtseize to disrupt the opponent’s plan. Furthermore, in aggressive matchups, focusing on maintaining a robust board presence ensures that Elspeth’s loyalty is constantly under threat. In conclusion, quick and consistent pressure, either through direct damage, targeted removal, or strong board states, is vital to overcome Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis and gain the upper hand in your MTG games.


BurnMana Recommendations

Elspeth Sun’s Nemesis has proven to be a valuable asset in MTG, catering to those who appreciate strategic depth and flexibility. Her ability to create soldier tokens, empower creatures, and offer color protection underscores her utility in a variety of deck types. For players looking to enrich their collection with a versatile planeswalker that continues to influence the game from beyond the graveyard, Elspeth is a noteworthy choice. Enthusiasts seeking to optimize their gameplay and explore dynamic strategies will find her a compelling addition. Interested in enhancing your deck’s capabilities? Dive deeper into the synergies and strategic plays Elspeth enables and strengthen your MTG prowess.


Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2020-01-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 798452015NormalBlackChuck Lukacs
22020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 14p2015NormalBlackLivia Prima
32020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 142015NormalBlackLivia Prima
42020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 2552015NormalBorderlessChuck Lukacs
52020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 14s2015NormalBlackLivia Prima

Legalities

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

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-01-24 After an escaped spell resolves, it returns to its owner’s graveyard if it’s not a permanent spell. If it is a permanent spell, it enters the battlefield and will return to its owner’s graveyard if it dies later. Perhaps it will escape again—good underworld security is so hard to come by these days.
2020-01-24 Escape’s permission doesn’t change when you may cast the spell from your graveyard.
2020-01-24 If a card has multiple abilities giving you permission to cast it, such as two escape abilities or an escape ability and a flashback ability, you choose which one to apply. The others have no effect.
2020-01-24 If a card with escape is put into your graveyard during your turn, you’ll be able to cast it right away if it’s legal to do so, before an opponent can take any actions.
2020-01-24 If you activate a loyalty ability of Elspeth, she’s put into your graveyard, and she escapes all in the same turn, she’ll be a new permanent. You can activate one of her loyalty abilities even though she’s represented by the same card.
2020-01-24 If you cast a spell with its escape permission, you can’t choose to apply any other alternative costs or to cast it without paying its mana cost. If it has any additional costs, you must pay those.
2020-01-24 Once you begin casting a spell with escape, it immediately moves to the stack. Players can’t take any other actions until you’re done casting the spell.
2020-01-24 To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying (such as an escape cost), add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The converted mana cost of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was and no matter whether an alternative cost was paid.