Elusen, The Giving: Your Ultimate EDH Guide

What’s up, fellow planeswalkers! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of Commander, also known as EDH, to talk about a legendary creature that’s all about generosity and helping out your buddies: Elusen, the Giving. If you’re looking to build a deck that focuses on sharing the love, boosting your friends, and maybe even making a few unexpected allies at the table, then Elusen is your go-to commander. We’ll explore why Elusen is such a unique and fun choice, break down some awesome strategies, and help you build a deck that will make you the most popular (or at least the most helped) player in any game. Get ready to learn all about how to make the most of this benevolent force!

Understanding Elusen's Core Mechanics

So, what makes Elusen, the Giving tick, guys? At its heart, Elusen is all about giving. In a game like Magic: The Gathering, where we're often focused on attacking, destroying permanents, and generally being a bit of a menace, Elusen flips the script. Its abilities are designed to put resources – like cards, mana, or even permanents – into play for all players, including yourself. This might sound counterintuitive at first. Why would you want to give your opponents more stuff? Well, that's where the magic of EDH and strategic thinking comes in. Elusen isn't just about mindless giving; it's about controlled giving, giving in a way that benefits you more than it benefits anyone else, or at least in a way that creates a dynamic where your opponents are less likely to target you. Think of it like this: you’re the benevolent king, showering your loyal subjects (and even those who aren’t quite so loyal) with gifts. This builds goodwill, creates interesting board states, and opens up unique win conditions that other decks just can’t touch. We're talking about effects that might let you draw extra cards when an opponent draws a card, or ways to generate extra mana when someone else taps lands for mana. The key is understanding the synergy between Elusen’s abilities and the broader game state. It’s a delicate dance of resource management and social politics, and Elusen is the perfect partner for that dance.

Why Choose Elusen for Your Next EDH Deck?

Now, you might be asking yourselves, "Why should I build around Elusen, the Giving when there are so many other powerful commanders out there?" That's a fair question, and the answer lies in the sheer fun and uniqueness Elusen brings to the table. Building an EDH deck is all about expressing yourself and playing the game in a way that you enjoy. If you're tired of the same old aggressive strategies or combo finishes, Elusen offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a commander that encourages interaction, diplomacy, and a bit of a gamble. You’re not just playing solitaire; you’re actively engaging with your opponents, potentially turning them into temporary allies. This can lead to some truly memorable game moments. Imagine giving your opponent a crucial land they needed to cast a spell, only for them to use it to protect you from another player’s attack. That’s the kind of dynamic Elusen fosters! Furthermore, Elusen decks can be surprisingly resilient. By distributing resources, you often ensure that someone at the table will have answers or threats, which can prevent a single player from dominating the game. It also means you're less likely to be the prime target for removal, as you're not perceived as the immediate threat. Instead, you’re the enabler, the one who keeps the game flowing. This strategic advantage, combined with the sheer joy of playing a feel-good commander, makes Elusen a fantastic choice for anyone looking to shake up their EDH experience and explore a different style of play. It’s about building connections, fostering a dynamic game, and finding unconventional paths to victory. It’s a brewer’s paradise, really, allowing for endless customization and innovative strategies.

Building Around Elusen: Key Strategies and Synergies

Alright guys, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of building an Elusen, the Giving deck. The first thing you need to nail down is your strategy. Since Elusen is all about giving, we want to make sure that when we give, we get more out of it than anyone else, or at least get something valuable in return. One of the most potent strategies is to build around “Symmetrical” effects. These are cards that say something like, “Each player draws a card.” Elusen’s abilities often trigger off of these symmetrical effects, meaning you get an additional benefit. For example, if you have a card that says “Each player draws a card,” and Elusen says “Whenever an opponent draws a card, you may pay 1 mana. If you do, draw a card,” you’re essentially getting two cards for the price of one symmetrical effect activation. Pretty sweet, right? We want to load up on these symmetrical draw spells, mana ramp spells, and even creature-based effects. Another key synergy is with cards that punish opponents for having too many resources, or benefit you when they use their resources. Think along the lines of cards that tax opponents for tapping lands, or cards that gain you life when opponents cast spells. Elusen's giving nature can inadvertently fuel these effects, creating a self-sustaining engine. You’re giving them the tools, and then using those tools against them in a subtle, yet effective, way. Don't forget about creatures that benefit from other creatures entering the battlefield, or token generation. If Elusen allows you to give permanents or tokens to opponents, and you have a way to capitalize on that, you’ve just turned a potential disadvantage into a massive advantage. We’re talking about effects like [[Impact Tremors]] or [[Purphoros, God of the Forge]] if you're giving creatures, or effects that gain you life when opponents gain control of permanents. The possibilities are truly vast, and the key is to identify cards that reward you for the very actions Elusen encourages. It’s a proactive approach to a reactive commander, in a way. You’re setting up the conditions for your own success by enabling the game state.

Essential Cards for Your Elusen Deck

To make your Elusen, the Giving EDH deck truly shine, you’ll need some key pieces. First off, you absolutely must include cards that have symmetrical effects that benefit you the most. Think [[Rhystic Study]], [[Mystic Remora]], and [[Consecrated Sphinx]]. While these might seem like standard goodstuff for blue or white decks, with Elusen, they become engine pieces. Rhystic Study and Mystic Remora give you card draw and potentially ramp, and if Elusen has an ability that triggers off opponents drawing cards, you’re golden. Consecrated Sphinx is just busted with any kind of symmetrical draw effect. We also need cards that allow you to give permanents or other resources. Look for things like [[Humble Defector]] (you give it to an opponent, and they draw a card, which can trigger Elusen!), [[Hunted Witness]] or [[Hunted Phantasm]] (you give these to opponents, and they get tokens, which can enable other synergies). For mana generation, consider cards like [[Jokulhaups]] or [[Armageddon]] if you're playing in a color identity that supports them, and then have ways to rebuild faster than your opponents, perhaps by giving them lands and then blowing up all lands. It sounds crazy, but it’s the kind of play Elusen enables! Artifacts that tap for mana like [[Sol Ring]], [[Arcane Signet]], and [[Mana Crypt]] are always good, but consider those that also have a symmetrical effect or benefit you when opponents do things. For example, [[Howling Mine]] and [[Kami of the Crescent Moon]] are prime candidates. They give everyone more cards, and if Elusen rewards you for opponents drawing cards, you’re drawing even more! Finally, think about your win conditions. Since you’re giving resources, you might not be the one directly attacking. Consider cards that win the game based on life totals, like [[Gray Merchant of Asphodel]] if you’re in black, or combos that can be enabled by the resources you’ve distributed. Perhaps you have a way to steal creatures that opponents gained from your gifts, or to destroy all permanents after giving them out. The more you can turn your opponents' potential advantages into your own victory, the better. Remember, the goal is to make giving a win condition itself!

Playing Elusen: Politics and Diplomacy

One of the most fascinating aspects of playing Elusen, the Giving is the political game it encourages, guys. In EDH, politics are crucial, and Elusen amplifies this aspect significantly. Because you're constantly giving your opponents resources, you’re creating a delicate balance of power and obligation. You’re not just playing cards; you’re making deals, forging temporary alliances, and subtly influencing the game’s direction. When you give a player a card they desperately need, or a land that lets them cast a spell, you're building goodwill. This goodwill can be instrumental when you need protection, when you want someone else to deal with a threat, or when you’re setting up your own win condition. You want to be the player everyone wants to keep around, or at least the player they don't want to eliminate first. This means carefully choosing who you give resources to and when. Sometimes, giving a resource to the player who is currently winning might be a risky move, but it could also distract them or force them to use their mana on something other than attacking you. Conversely, giving a resource to a player who is struggling might earn you their gratitude and a promise of future favor. You have to read the table, understand the threats, and make calculated decisions. Remember, Elusen isn't just about the cards you play; it's about the table talk, the negotiation, and the perception you create. You want to avoid being perceived as the biggest threat. If you’re consistently giving benefits, opponents might see you as a helpful ally or a neutral party, allowing you to operate more freely. However, you also need to be careful not to empower your opponents too much, especially if they aren't directly benefiting you. This is where the fine line between generosity and self-preservation comes into play. It’s a constant negotiation, and Elusen provides the perfect commander to engage in this high-stakes social game. You’re not just playing Magic; you’re playing people, and Elusen is your best tool for doing so effectively and enjoyably.

Navigating Threats and Building Your Reputation

Building a good reputation with Elusen, the Giving is key to your success, and that means understanding how to navigate threats, both yours and your opponents'. As we’ve talked about, Elusen encourages a non-aggressive playstyle, which often makes you less of a target. However, don't get too comfortable! If your