Elenda, the Dusk Rose MTG Card


Elenda offers card advantage through token generation, increasing board presence upon creature deaths. Her synergy with sacrifice strategies amplifies resource acceleration, despite her specific mana cost. Versatility in combat makes Elenda valuable, as she thrives in sacrificial and creature-focused decks.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Vampire Knight
Abilities Lifelink
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Lifelink Whenever another creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Elenda, the Dusk Rose. When Elenda dies, create X 1/1 white Vampire creature tokens with lifelink, where X is Elenda's power.

Her centuries-long search is ended.


Cards like Elenda, the Dusk Rose

Elenda, the Dusk Rose is a unique figure among vampire cards in Magic: The Gathering. She shares the stage with other Legendary Vampire Knights such as Edgar Markov. While Edgar Markov is a game-changer, amassing a vampire army with ease, Elenda focuses on growing her own power. Each time another creature dies, Elenda gains a +1/+1 counter, eventually becoming a formidable force on the battlefield. Unlike Edgar, who provides an immediate army presence, Elenda’s strength accumulates over time, reflecting patience and strategy.

Another vampire of note is Vona, Butcher of Magan, who also brings a different dimension to the vampire archetype. Vona offers versatility with her lifelink and destructive abilities, able to target and destroy nonland permanents at will. While Elenda looks inward, building her own power, Vona affects the board state directly. Furthermore, Vona’s immediate impact contrasts with Elenda’s potential-based growth, governed by the ebb and flow of creature deaths.

Assessing Elenda against her vampire peers, she stands out with her unique counter-based mechanics and potential for explosive turns. Her ability to leave behind a legion of lifelink tokens upon her death makes her an asset in decks that thrive on sacrifice and the inevitability of creature demise.

Edgar Markov - MTG Card versions
Vona, Butcher of Magan - MTG Card versions
Edgar Markov - MTG Card versions
Vona, Butcher of Magan - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elenda, the Dusk Rose offers a unique form of card advantage by creating vampire tokens whenever another creature dies. This fills the board with potential threats and can quickly tip the scales in your favor during a game.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing traditional mana acceleration, the tokens generated by Elenda can be utilized with other cards to ramp up your resources indirectly. Sacrifice outlets or cards that benefit from having many creatures on the field turn Elenda’s tokens into a valuable resource.

Instant Speed: While Elenda herself doesn’t operate at instant speed, she can have a synergy with instant-speed removal spells. This allows you to trigger her ability outside of the main phases, making it challenging for opponents to predict and prepare for the oncoming horde of vampires.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Elenda the Dusk Rose requires a precise combination of one black and one white mana along with two generic mana, a specification that restricts deck-building flexibility and may be challenging to meet consistently in multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana, Elenda enters much later in the game compared to other aggressive creatures, potentially hindering your early game momentum and leaving less mana available for other spells or abilities in the same turn.

Discard Requirement: While Elenda the Dusk Rose does not directly demand a discard, she necessitates a strategy built around sacrificing creatures for value. This could inadvertently put you in situations where you need to discard or sacrifice beneficial creatures to reap the benefits of her death-trigger ability, which may not always align with your game plan.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Elenda the Dusk Rose thrives in a variety of deck builds, particularly those focused on sacrifice and creature-based strategies. This vampire knight grows stronger with each creature’s demise, making her a resilient threat against opponent’s tactics.

Combo Potential: When Elenda leaves the battlefield, her unique ability to create vampire tokens equivalent to her power fosters an array of synergistic plays. These tokens can amplify the impact of cards like “Cathars’ Crusade” or “Anointed Procession,” setting the stage for devastating turns.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature combat is frequent, Elenda’s presence can significantly disrupt board states. Her capacity to both deter attacks and reward your creatures’ sacrifice ensures that she remains a relevant card in changing competitive environments.


How to beat

Elenda, the Dusk Rose, is a unique and powerful card that thrives in decks focused on creature death and resurrection. Defeating a strategy centered around Elenda requires disrupting the synergy she provides. Targeted removal can be effective but beware – destroying her only strengthens your opponent’s board with a burst of vampire tokens. Instead, opt for exile effects, such as cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, to permanently remove Elenda without triggering her ability. Graveyard hate is also an excellent strategy; cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can prevent her from having any impact after hitting the graveyard, nullifying her death-triggered ability.

Counterspells can be crucial as well. Keeping Elenda off the battlefield is half the battle, and cards like Counterspell or Mana Leak are perfect tools for this. A well-timed counterspell when she’s cast can save you from the trouble before it begins. Lastly, consider using sacrifice effects to force your opponent to get rid of Elenda on their terms, using cards like Diabolic Edict, which could bypass any protective measures they have in place. Stymie the growth of Elenda before she can become a larger threat by making strategic plays that undercut the value your opponent could gain from her.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the subtleties of Elenda, the Dusk Rose can transform your MTG experience. This card, hailing from a rich lineage of vampire knights, can be a cornerstone for decks that capitalize on the twist and turns of creature combat. Its ability to change the tide of battle by accumulating power and creating tokens makes it a valuable player in your magic arsenal. For those who savor strategic depth and tactical nuance in their MTG play, Elenda offers an opportunity to sculpt a game plan that evolves with every chess-like move. Enthralled by the potential of Elenda within your deck? Read on to discover intricate strategies and elevate your MTG sessions to legendary status.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elenda, the Dusk Rose MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Elenda, the Dusk Rose and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elenda, the Dusk Rose Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1023212015NormalBlackRichard Kane Ferguson
22018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 1572015NormalBlackChris Rahn
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 14112015NormalBlackrishxxv
42020-09-26The ListPLST RIX-1572015NormalBlackChris Rahn
52022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 3772015NormalBorderlessRichard Kane Ferguson
62022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2072015NormalBlackChris Rahn
72022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4912015NormalBlackChris Rahn
82023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 2682015NormalBlackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elenda, the Dusk Rose has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elenda, the Dusk Rose card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-01-19 If Elenda dies at the same time as another creature, both of its triggered abilities trigger. However, the first one won't do anything since you can't put a +1/+1 counter on Elenda.
2018-01-19 To determine how many Vampire tokens are created, use Elenda's power as it last existed on the battlefield.