Recently, we had the opportunity to preview the much-anticipated MTG Tarkir Dragonstorm expansion, which features the exciting return of two beloved planeswalkers: Ugin, Spirit of the Storms, and Elspeth, Storm Slayer. Their arrival is sure to shake up gameplay dynamics with their formidable abilities.
Ugin is shaping up to be one of the most powerful planeswalkers introduced in recent times, especially for players who excel at incorporating high-impact colorless permanents into their strategies. On the other hand, Elspeth remains a powerhouse for White Weenie decks, reaffirming her status as a fan favorite.
While it’s tough to definitively choose a favorite between this version of Elspeth and her Elspeth Resplendent counterpart, the current iteration has captured my attention. There may also be additional planeswalkers unveiled for MTG Tarkir Dragonstorm; I have a theory, but I’ll keep that under wraps for now. Let’s dive deeper into the revealed planeswalkers’ capabilities.
Unveiling Ugin, Spirit of the Storms and Elspeth, Storm Slayer
MTG Tarkir Dragonstorm introduces at least two notable planeswalkers, namely Ugin, Spirit of the Storms and Elspeth, Storm Slayer. Ugin stands out with a particularly unique ability that allows you to exile a colored permanent whenever you cast a colorless spell, which can even include Ugin himself. This is a game-changing mechanic that many players will want to explore. Here are the details of his abilities:
Ugin, Spirit of the Storm
- Mana Value: 7
- Card Type: Legendary Planeswalker — Ugin
- Rarity: Mythic Rare
- Base Loyalty: 7
- Passive Ability: Upon casting this spell, exile a target permanent of one or more colors. Each time you cast a colorless spell, exile a target permanent of one or more colors.
- +2: You gain 3 life and draw a card.
- +0: Add 3 colorless mana to your mana pool.
- -11: Search your library for any number of colorless nonland cards, exile them, then shuffle. Until the end of your turn, you may cast those exiled cards without paying their mana costs.
This unique passive ability provides an incredible advantage. Should Ugin remain on the battlefield for just two turns and you trigger his ultimate ability, it can rapidly turn the tide of the game in your favor. You’ll be able to search your deck for various colorless nonland cards, exile them, and cast them at will, all while threatening to remove additional permanents from your opponent’s side. Could Ugin, Spirit of the Storms become a key component in colorless commander decks? It’s certainly a strong possibility.
Elspeth, Storm Slayer
- Mana Value: 3WW
- Card Type: Legendary Planeswalker — Elspeth
- Rarity: Mythic Rare
- Base Loyalty: 5
- Passive Ability: If one or more tokens would be created under your control, create twice that many tokens instead.
- +1: Create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token.
- +0: Place a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control, granting them flying until your next turn.
- -3: Destroy target creature controlled by your opponent with a mana value of 3 or higher.
Elspeth is poised to become a favorite for any aggressive or midrange decks built around white mana, particularly within the MTG Tarkir Dragonstorm landscape. Her innate ability to double tokens makes her a standout card, providing immense value right out of the gate.
With her -3 ability, she can quickly eliminate a menacing high-cost creature upon entry. Additionally, she can produce a 1/1 Soldier token immediately or grant flight and a bonus counter to all your creatures, enhancing your board presence. While her 5 mana requirement may seem formidable, the overall benefit she brings is undeniably powerful.
This dynamic new landscape of MTG Tarkir Dragonstorm, featuring these iconic planeswalkers, promises to invigorate strategies and gameplay experiences, engaging both veteran players and newcomers alike.