Llawan, Cephalid Empress MTG Card
2002-02-04 - Number 42
2019-12-02 - Number 1277
2020-09-26 - Number TOR-42
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Cephalid Noble |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Llawan, Cephalid Empress comes into play, return all blue creatures your opponents control to their owners' hands. Your opponents can't play blue creature spells.
Cards like Llawan, Cephalid Empress
Llawan, Cephalid Empress stands out in the realm of creature-based control in MTG. Resembling cards like Thassa, Deep-Dwelling in its oceanic origin, Llawan distinguishes itself with its potent bounce effect, sending all non-blue creatures back to their owner’s hands. Unlike Thassa, who mainly focuses on manipulating your own board by blinking creatures, Llawan disrupts opponents’ strategies.
Another cousin in the blue control lineup is Barrin, Master Wizard. Barrin requires a sacrifice to return a creature to hand but grants additional flexibility in target choice. Llawan’s forced retreat is more comprehensive but specific to non-blue creatures, marking a strategic difference in gameplay. Then there’s Keiga, the Tide Star, which also interacts with creatures upon its departure from the battlefield by taking control of an enemy creature. While Keiga can change board presence significantly, it doesn’t provide the immediate wide-scale effect that Llawan offers upon casting.
In comparing utility and impact, Llawan, Cephalid Empress garners attention for her ability to shift the tide of battle in favor of the blue mage. Her uniqueness is in her specialized, sweeping tactical advantage against a broad swath of decks.
Cards similar to Llawan, Cephalid Empress by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Llawan, Cephalid Empress. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dimir Combo | Legacy | Painter | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Legacy Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Llawan, Cephalid Empress shines when it comes to generating card advantage. Upon resolution, she can return all blue creatures your opponents control to their hands, potentially stripping them of their board presence and filling your hand with options.
Resource Acceleration: Enabling resource acceleration isn’t direct with Llawan, but by bouncing blue creatures to the opponent’s hand, you indirectly set them back on resources. This temporary setback can accelerate your board state compared to your opponent’s.
Instant Speed: Though Llawan’s abilities don’t operate at instant speed, her control effect can be compared to an instant speed disruption in setup. With flash enablers in your deck, she can act unexpectedly, disrupting opponent strategies during their turn and protecting your tide of strategy from an onslaught of blue creatures.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Llawan, Cephalid Empress necessitates a strategic hand to extract maximum benefit. Players may find themselves at a disadvantage when casting her, knowing they might have to relinquish a valuable card from their hand, particularly in tight situations where each card’s value is paramount.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Llawan, Cephalid Empress is highly specific, requiring not just generic mana but also three blue mana. This requirement can constrain deck building, making her less versatile and harder to play outside of mono-blue or heavily blue-focused decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three that must be blue, Llawan, Cephalid Empress enters the battlefield at a point where players may expect impactful plays. Considering other creatures and spells available at this cost, her abilities might not always justify the investment, especially in fast-paced games where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Llawan, Cephalid Empress in Your Collection
Versatility: Llawan, Cephalid Empress allows players to return all blue creatures their opponents control back to their hands. This card can slide into any deck that capitalizes on bounce effects, fits well in control strategies, and provides an answer to blue-centric decks.
Combo Potential: This empress is not just about board disruption; she further combos with cards that penalize opponents for drawing or returning cards to their hand, leading to a potent lock on the game. The control she offers can turn the tides in favor of combo or control players.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where blue creatures dominate or are heavily utilized, Llawan becomes a powerful tool. She ensures board advantage against mono-blue or blue-heavy strategies, proving her worth whenever these decks are prevalent in the meta.
How to beat
Llawan, Cephalid Empress, shapes the tide of battle in a unique way when she enters the Magic: The Gathering battlefield. Her ability to return all blue creatures opponents control to their hands can be a game-changer in your favor. This disruptive entrance offers you a momentum swing by clearing opponents’ threats and disrupting their game plan. To counter this effect, consider using creatures that can’t be targeted by abilities, also known as creatures with hexproof or shroud. These attributes prevent Llawan’s ability from affecting them, ensuring your board presence is maintained.
Another practical strategy is to use instant-speed removal spells before Llawan hits the field. This can preemptively remove her from play, thus neutralizing the threat before it can impact your strategy. Additionally, cards that grant your creatures indestructible for a turn also provide a safeguard against Llawan’s bounce effect. It’s critical to maintain a versatile and reactive hand when facing against such a powerful control card to keep your side of the board intact.
Ultimately, understanding and anticipating the potential setback Llawan, Cephalid Empress causes is crucial. Adapting your playstyle and deck composition around resilient creatures and responsive spells will enhance your ability to overcome her watery reign.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Llawan, Cephalid Empress MTG card by a specific set like Torment and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Llawan, Cephalid Empress and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Llawan, Cephalid Empress Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-02-04 | Torment | TOR | 42 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 2 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1277 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Lauren YS | ||
| 3 | The List | PLST | TOR-42 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Llawan, Cephalid Empress has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |