By Elspeth's Command MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2022-12-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: The Brothers' War |
| Set code | YBRO |
| Number | 1 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Carlos Palma Cruchaga |
Text of card
At the beginning of combat on your turn, choose one that wasn't chosen during your last combat — • Up to one target Soldier perpetually gets +1/+1 and gains flying. • Choose a Soldier card in your hand. It perpetually gets +1/+1 and gains vigilance. • Create a 1/1 colorless Soldier artifact creature token.
Cards like By Elspeth's Command
By Elspeth’s Command shines in the world of multi-effect instant cards in MTG. It’s often compared to Austere Command, which offers a range of options to deal with different permanents on the battlefield. Yet, By Elspeth’s Command stands out with its instant speed, allowing players to react swiftly during any phase of the game, unlike the sorcery speed of Austere Command. It also presents a lower mana cost and the advantageous option to create soldier tokens which can be critical in specific strategies.
Similarly, Kaya’s Guile serves as a comparable point of reference, with its modal options to impact the game state. Both cards provide a versatile toolkit with choices to handle creatures and graveyards. However, By Elspeth’s Command’s ability to pump all your creatures gives it an upper hand in creature-based decks, emphasizing its tactical adaptability.
While assessing the utility and flexibility of similar spells, By Elspeth’s Command is a noteworthy contender within instant cards offering multiple choices. Its balanced mix of effects and the element of surprise inherent to being an instant puts it in a favorable position, especially in the context of strategic defensive and offensive maneuvers during gameplay.
Cards similar to By Elspeth's Command by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: By Elspeth’s Command, offers strategic depth by allowing you to choose two effects out of four, potentially leading to significant card advantage. Whether it’s creating tokens or drawing cards, the options provided ensure that you can adapt to the current game situation fluidly.
Resource Acceleration: One of the options to generate an army of Soldier tokens can quickly escalate your board presence, providing not just defensive blockers but also potential attackers. This can lead to effective resource acceleration as you leverage these tokens for various synergistic plays or to fuel other card abilities.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting By Elspeth’s Command at instant speed gives you an edge, enabling you to react to your opponent’s moves. This can be particularly potent during their end phase or in response to a threat. This versatility ensures that you keep up the pace and constantly apply pressure in the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As a drawback, By Elspeth’s Command requires the player to discard another card to leverage its full potential. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is already limited or the discarded card could be pivotal for future turns.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost is geared towards decks built around white mana, which means it might not seamlessly fit into a multicolored deck. Players need to carefully consider their mana base to ensure they can consistently meet its color-specific demands without disrupting their deck’s balance.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a higher mana cost, By Elspeth’s Command might not always align with a player’s strategy, particularly when faster-paced decks aim to execute their game plan more efficiently. There are alternatives in the MTG universe that may provide similar effects for less mana, offering a better cost-to-benefit ratio.
Reasons to Include By Elspeth’s Command in Your Collection
Versatility: By Elspeth’s Command offers a dynamic range of options that allows players to respond to a plethora of in-game scenarios. Whether it’s controlling the board by creating defensive tokens or providing a timely buff to your creatures, this card can adapt to multiple strategies and roles within various deck types.
Combo Potential: The multifaceted nature of By Elspeth’s Command enables synergistic plays that can amplify its impact on the game. Commanders that thrive on casting multiple spells in a turn or those that capitalize on +1/+1 counter distributions can significantly benefit from the utility offered by this powerful card.
Meta-Relevance: Recognizing the current competitive landscape, By Elspeth’s Command aligns well with decks geared towards resilience and flexibility. Its ability to interact on different axes makes it a valuable tool against a wide range of opponent strategies, ensuring its place in a meta where adaptability can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
How to beat
By Elspeth’s Command introduces a strategic layer to game play in MTG, offering multiple choices to influence the battlefield. When facing this versatile card, understanding its options allows you to anticipate and counter its effects. The key to overcoming it lies in minimizing the value your opponent gains from their choices.
Timing disruption spells when Elspeth’s Command is on the stack can be effective. Negate or Dispel can stop it outright, given it’s not a creature. Moreover, since one of the Command’s modes involves creature buffs, having instant-speed removal such as Fatal Push ready can nullify the attack boost before damage is dealt. In the case of creature recursion, graveyard hate cards like Tormod’s Crypt can be played proactively to remove key targets before your opponent can bring them back.
Strategically, try not to overextend your board presence, as one mode can force a sacrifice. This makes it easier to maintain control even if your opponent is directing the game with By Elspeth’s Command. Finally, having your own versatile spells or abilities that can respond to multiple situations will also ensure you’re prepared no matter how your opponent decides to wield this powerful command.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase By Elspeth's Command MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: The Brothers' War, 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 By Elspeth's Command and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where By Elspeth's Command has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.