Elspeth in Theros: Beyond Death
Custom Cards forum
Posted on Sept. 19, 2019, 5:39 a.m. by Tzefick
With the coming of Theros: Beyond Death, it is very likely that we will get back to the story arc of Elspeth, as she was betrayed by Heliod, who considered her a potential threat to his dominion of Theros.
So this thread is basically ideas for what Elspeth could look like if we get one in Theros 2, which is most likely to happen.
I know not everyone likes Elspeth as a story arc, because she is either having a mental breakdown, pushing away help and advice, flies into a rage, or rallies people to a course. Her story arc has been a bit bumpy. When things are going great she can encompass the values of a knight, but as soon as shit hits the fan, there's a short fuse until a mental breakdown due to her troubled past. She's very human in that regard, but as a main protagonist I figure it can be a bit tiresome to frequently revert back to a hopeless and fearful child.
Anyways my ideas:
Elspeth, Clad in Gold
Legendary Creature - Zombie Knight
Whenever a legendary creature or planeswalker enters the battlefield, put 2 loyalty counters on Elspeth, Clad in Gold. Then if Elspeth has 4 or more loyalty counters, transform Elspeth.
3/4
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Elspeth, Resolute Judicator
Legendary Planeswalker - Elspeth
+2: Create a 1/1 white soldier creature token.
-2: Creatures you control gets +2/+2 and vigilance until your next turn.
-X: Choose one -
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Exile target artifact or enchantment with converted mana cost X or less.
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Return target creature card with converted mana cost X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
(No initial loyalty - it's gained through her creature ability)
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The idea is to play on the art from Elspeth, Knight-Errant mythic edition, where she is close to donning a golden mask, used by the dead people of Theros as a way to return to the mortal realm.
She loses her identity and therefore is just a hollow shell reminiscent of a vanilla creature. She may be upgraded to a french vanilla by stapling any white evergreen keyword ability on her.
She can be returned to her true self when she encounters legendary beings who can help her (only on your side); during a Theros revisit some of these will be people she have met in the past.
An alternative trigger could be whenever creatures you control dies, to reference her desire to protect her people.
The reasoning behind the hybrid is that it would be easier to summon her from the Returned (living dead on Theros) if you utilize black mana from Erebos, but it can be achieved through sheer power from white.
Her front side being a creature, means her planeswalker side cannot be too crazy either, because of Commander. However, I think this hits a decent balance between good in constructed and decent but not main Commander-worth in Commander formats.
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There are arguments to be said about her not adhering to the rules of Theros and therefore don't have to don a golden mask to return, the next suggestion will reflect such a design.
Another theory could be that Ajani and/or Daxos (somehow regaining his memories) will venture to the Underworld to rescue her.
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As for the abilities on her planeswalker side, she is always fond of making friends and armies.
Initially her second ability was +1; look top 7 of library for an equipment or aura, but it was too wordy.
Her ultimate is designed to be her blow against Heliod, who cast her out after he started perceiving her as a threat and eventually killed her.
The story aspect might fit better on an actual sorcery that exiles an enchantment with reference to Elspeth's nature of fighting against those who misuse their position or power - something Heliod is definitely guilty of. I would be surprised if there is not going to be some sort of comeuppance for Heliod, done by Elspeth's hand in that set.
To avoid the ability being just a very bad Revoke Existence it can also return creatures, such as Daxos. She has done it before with Aran, her squire, on Bant, but we have never seen that ability on a card.
And then for a straight Planeswalker card not dealing with the story of how she returns.
Elspeth, Renewed Hope
Legendary Planeswalker - Elspeth
+1: Look at the top five cards of your library. You may reveal a creature, equipment or aura from among them and put it into your hand, then put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. If you don't reveal a card create a 1/1 white soldier creature token.
-2: Return a permanent card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
-7: You get an emblem with ": Target creature gets +3/+3 and gains flying until end of turn."
5
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The first ability is basically Elspeth venturing about, trying to find help to her course to overthrow a selfish god. If she doesn't find it in your library she recruits some random soldiers.
The second ability is reminiscent of her knowledge of the Underworld and however she got out. Like previously said, she has before restored Aran, her squire, to life after his death on Bant. It would not be too far of a stretch to think she could restore enchantments or lands as well.
The ultimate is Elspeth, Knight-Errant 's second ability on an Emblem. It's weak in the sense that you need to invest into it for the benefit, it is strong because it's an everpresent mana sink and combat boost with evasion tacked on it and it doesn't take too much time to achieve.
You could spice her up a little bit more like;
Stronger Elspeth Show
So, what would you expect or like to see from Elspeth in the Theros: Beyond Death set? Or would you rather she stays dead?
Cannonhead says... #2
I really like the transforming version you’ve come up with. Very flavorful and an interesting method of transforming and generating loyalty. Well done.
September 19, 2019 4:02 p.m.