Elrond of the White Council MTG Card


Elrond’s scry ability ensures players draw essential cards faster, sharply increasing their chances to win. Mana ramp from Elrond enables earlier, game-changing plays, providing a competitive edge. Instant speed utility allows for tactical responses, keeping opponents guessing and off-balance.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Elf Noble
Abilities Secret council
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Secret council — When Elrond of the White Council enters the battlefield, each player secretly votes for fellowship or aid, then those votes are revealed. For each fellowship vote, the voter chooses a creature they control. You gain control of each creature chosen this way, and they gain "This creature can't attack its owner." Then for each aid vote, put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.


Cards like Elrond of the White Council

Elrond of the White Council is an intriguing presence among legendary creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Matching its stature, we can draw parallels to other eminent leaders such as Gandalf the Grey. Gandalf similarly provides strategic advantage though his card offers more immediate spellcasting benefits. Elrond, however, offers a longer-term gain with his ability to manipulate the library and ensure key cards are drawn when most needed.

Additionally, we see similarities with Galadriel, Lady of the Wood. Galadriel presents the ability to filter through the top part of your library, though she leans more towards setting up future plays rather than Elrond’s mix of library manipulation and board presence boost. Another card mirroring Elrond’s influence is Saruman the White. Saruman’s tactics differ as they control the pace of the game by restricting opponent resources, compared to Elrond’s approach of strengthening one’s own position over time.

When assessing their roles within the game, Elrond of the White Council stands out with a unique blend of deck manipulation and empowerment of other creatures. His ability to shape the course of the game through careful planning exemplifies his leadership and wisdom in a way that is distinct among peers in his card class.

Gandalf the Grey - MTG Card versions
Saruman the White - MTG Card versions
Gandalf the Grey - MTG Card versions
Saruman the White - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Elrond of the White Council by color, type and mana cost

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Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty - MTG Card versions
Prophet of Kruphix - MTG Card versions
Tanazir Quandrix - MTG Card versions
Tawnos, the Toymaker - MTG Card versions
Overbeing of Myth - MTG Card versions
Keruga, the Macrosage - MTG Card versions
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary - MTG Card versions
Murkfiend Liege - MTG Card versions
Sages of the Anima - MTG Card versions
Species Gorger - MTG Card versions
Fleetfeather Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Tatyova, Benthic Druid - MTG Card versions
Galloping Lizrog - MTG Card versions
Bioessence Hydra - MTG Card versions
Roalesk, Apex Hybrid - MTG Card versions
A-Tanazir Quandrix - MTG Card versions
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Gale, Primeval Conduit - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elrond of the White Council offers a consistent source of card advantage by allowing you to sift through your library with its scry ability, setting up future draws. This can lead to obtaining key cards faster, improving the odds of victory.

Resource Acceleration: Elrond of the White Council’s ability to ramp up your mana resources is notable. By providing you with an increase in mana availability, Elrond can pave the way for earlier and more impactful plays, giving you an edge over your adversaries.

Instant Speed: Elrond of the White Council’s influence stretches to instant speed interactions. This means you can respond with deftness to the evolving battlefield, utilizing resources effectively during critical moments, and maintaining the element of surprise against opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Elrond of the White Council requires a significant setup before its abilities can be fully utilized. This means players often need to discard crucial cards to make the most of its effects, potentially losing key elements of their strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a strict mana requirement that confines it to decks aligned with its color identity. Building around this can restrict deck diversity and limit the variety of strategies a player can adopt.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that leans on the higher end, Elrond of the White Council enters the battlefield later in the game. Players may find themselves at a disadvantage against decks that peak in the early to mid-game stages due to quicker card advantage and tempo plays.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Elrond of the White Council is a flexible option for any player looking to enhance a deck’s adaptability. Its ability to search for important cards and ensure that the right spells or creatures are available when needed makes it an excellent addition to diverse strategies.

Combo Potential: With Elrond’s ability to smooth out draws, players can set up powerful combos more consistently. It opens up opportunities to synergize with various other cards, bringing more intricate plays to the table.

Meta-Relevance: Decks that can effectively utilize Elrond’s skills are often better positioned in the ever-changing competitive landscape. By providing key deck thinning and selection, it maintains its relevance across different metas, helping players stay one step ahead of their opponents.


How to beat

Elrond of the White Council poses a unique challenge for MTG players with his ability to bolster both card draw and mana production. When looking to outplay an opponent wielding this card, it’s crucial to focus on disruption strategies that can negate Elrond’s advantages. Play cards that limit hand size or force discards to counteract the card advantage gained through Elrond’s draws. Similarly, land destruction or mana denial can be effective in stymying the mana acceleration Elrond provides.

Another tactic involves applying pressure with aggressive creatures or using removal spells that can take Elrond off the board before his benefits can be reaped. Consider also including cards that can exile or somehow bypass the traditional destroy methods, as these can prove to be more resilient against possible protective spells your opponent might have. As with many powerful MTG cards, timing your spells and strategies around Elrond’s abilities is key to gaining the upper hand in your matches.

Overall, countering Elrond of the White Council requires a blend of proactive and reactive plays, keeping in mind that the sooner you can deal with Elrond, the better. This way, you ensure that your opponent cannot fully exploit the card’s potential, maintaining a balance of power on the battlefield that’s in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

As your MTG expertise grows, utilizing cards like Elrond of the White Council effectively is crucial. Navigating its strengths and weaknesses is an art, and an understanding of its mechanics provides a formidable edge. Accelerating mana, enhancing card draws, and timely instant-speed plays are pivotal in outmaneuvering opponents. However, craft your strategy wisely, considering the potential downsides of higher mana costs and deck limitations. With evolving strategies and deck variability, it’s essential to stay informed and on top of the game. Discover more insights and strategies to harness the full power of Elrond and similar influential cards. Elevate your MTG mastery with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elrond of the White Council MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Elrond of the White Council and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elrond of the White Council Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Javier Charro.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 512015NormalBlackJavier Charro
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 4542015NormalBlackJavier Charro
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1342015NormalBlackJavier Charro

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elrond of the White Council has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-06-16 Abilities that trigger "whenever players finish voting" trigger once all players have voted or once all secret votes are revealed, but they won't go on the stack until the current spell or ability finishes resolving.
2023-06-16 After the votes are revealed, starting with the player whose turn it is and proceeding in turn order, each player who voted fellowship chooses a creature they control for each of their fellowship votes. Then the controller of Elrond of the White Council's ability gains control of those creatures and they gain the listed ability. Finally, that player puts a +1/+1 counter on each creature they control for each aid vote.
2023-06-16 Before secret votes are revealed, players may announce how they intend to vote, but they can't reveal what they actually wrote down until all votes are simultaneously revealed. Players can lie about how they intend to vote before the votes are revealed.
2023-06-16 Each player must vote for one of the available options. They can't abstain.
2023-06-16 If you control Elrond of the Secret Council's ability, it is usually best to vote for aid. Gaining control of a creature you already control is only occasionally helpful.
2023-06-16 If you have multiple votes, you can vote for fellowship multiple times. If you do, you can choose the same creature each time.
2023-06-16 No player votes until the spell or ability resolves. Any responses to that spell or ability must be made without knowing the outcome of the vote.
2023-06-16 The phrase "the vote is tied" refers only to when there is more than one choice that received the most votes. For example, if a 5-player vote from among three different choices ends 3 votes to 1 vote to 1 vote, the vote isn't tied.
2023-06-16 To secretly vote, each player writes down their chosen option without showing it to anyone else. Each player then keeps their vote secret until all players simultaneously reveal their votes.