Elspeth's Smite MTG Card
2023-04-21 - Number 13
2023-04-21 - Number 5
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Elspeth's Smite deals 3 damage to target attacking or blocking creature. If that creature would die this turn, exile it instead.
Elesh Norn screamed as the light pierced her. Her nightmare had become flesh.
Cards like Elspeth's Smite
Elspeth’s Smite is an impactful card within Magic: The Gathering that resonates with players who appreciate decisive removal spells. In comparing it to other removal cards, one could look at Declaration in Stone. Both serve to exile creatures, however Elspeth’s Smite comes with the additional condition of targeting a commander, setting it apart by specifically interacting with a popular format’s central piece.
Condemn is another card in this class worth mentioning, offering a lower cost alternative by putting an attacking creature on the bottom of its owner’s library. While not exiling per se, its utility in early-game situations is undeniable. Yet, it lacks the focused precision against commanders that Elspeth’s Smite provides. Lastly, Path to Exile stands out for its versatility and efficiency in permanently dealing with creatures for merely a single white mana, granting the creature’s controller a land in exchange.
Elspeth’s Smite aligns well within the versatile landscape of white removal spells in Magic: The Gathering, particularly for its niche role in commander-centric games, exemplifying a balanced option for players who value targeted and effective creature removal.
Cards similar to Elspeth's Smite by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Elspeth's Smite. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-White Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024 | |
 | Azorius Control | Standard | Azorius Control | Japan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor |
 | Azorius Flash | Standard | Azorius Flash | Standard Preliminary 2024-04-02 |
 | Mono-White Death & Taxes | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024 | |
 | Esper Control | Standard | Esper Control | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 25, 2024 |
 | Selesnya Midrange | Standard | Selesnya Midrange | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 18, 2024 |
| Azorius Midrange | Standard | Azorius Midrange | 16 Day3 |
| Azorius Tempo | Standard | Azorius Tokens | 16 Day3 |
 | Bant Aggro | Standard | Bant Midrange | 16 Day1 |
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Elspeth’s Smite provides a decisive swing in a match by allowing you to remove a key creature from your opponent’s board. This sort of targeted removal can effectively diminish their offensive potential and can also disrupt their strategy, which, in certain situations, translates to gaining card advantage as well if it prevents your opponent from drawing cards through creature-based mechanics.
Resource Acceleration: While Elspeth’s Smite is not directly linked to resource acceleration, the benefit of removing a major threat can save you precious resources in the long run. By preserving your life total and protecting your own creatures, you can maintain a solid position without having to expend additional cards or mana to stabilize the board afterwards.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Elspeth’s Smite at instant speed grants you the flexibility to respond during your opponent’s turn. This unpredictability can be advantageous, allowing you to wait for the most opportune moment to strike or to bluff having other responses, thus potentially altering the way your opponent plays their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing Elspeth’s Smite, you’re often required to discard one of your valuable cards which can put you at a strategic disadvantage, particularly if you’re running short on hand options and need to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white and black mana, Elspeth’s Smite necessitates a deck that reliably produces or has access to these particular colors, potentially limiting its versatility in multicolor decks that are not focused on this combination or in mono-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the power to eliminate a creature is significant, the cost attached to Elspeth’s Smite is on the higher side when compared to other creature removal options in the game. This can lead to tempo loss as more affordable alternatives could allow for additional plays within the same turn.
Reasons to Include Elspeth’s Smite in Your Collection
Versatility: Elspeth’s Smite offers a flexible answer to many threats on the battlefield. Its ability to target creatures or planeswalkers makes it adaptable to various situations that may arise during gameplay.
Combo Potential: This card’s destruction effect pairs well with decks that capitalize on opponents’ loss, potentially triggering death-related mechanics or setting up for devastating follow-up plays.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting dynamics of competitive play, Elspeth’s Smite remains highly relevant in metas where powerful creatures and planeswalkers dominate, ensuring your deck can keep pace with prevalent strategies.
How to beat
Elspeth’s Smite is a potent removal tool, a card that can unbalance the stakes by neutralizing key creatures on the board. To circumvent its effect, it’s advisable to diversify threats across different creature types. For instance, enormous behemoths such as Carnage Tyrant come with hexproof, effectively making them immune to such targeted spells, while creatures with indestructible withstand Elspeth’s Smite, allowing you to maintain a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Another strategy focuses on utilizing instant-speed spells like Blossoming Defense to grant your creatures hexproof or using counterspells to deny Elspeth’s Smite altogether. Additionally, you could employ cards that benefit from being in the graveyard, turning a seeming setback into an advantage. Rekindling Phoenix or Scrapheap Scrounger can come back from the graveyard, effectively nullifying the removal’s impact.
Ultimately, playing around Elspeth’s Smite involves smart deck construction and anticipating your opponent’s moves. Stocking your deck with resilient threats and having a plan for recovery post-removal ensures that even powerful cards like Elspeth’s Smite won’t spell doom for your game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elspeth's Smite // Elspeth's Smite MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine Art Series and March of the Machine, 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's Smite // Elspeth's Smite and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Elspeth's Smite // Elspeth's Smite Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-04-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Livia Prima.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March of the Machine Art Series | AMOM | 5 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Livia Prima | ||
| 2 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine | MOM | 13 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Livia Prima |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elspeth's Smite has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |