Elusen, the GivingHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Gift for Everyone

Elusen, the Giving possesses a triggered ability that occurs at the beginning of your second main phase. When this triggers, the player to your left gains control of Elusen. Because the control change happens during the second main phase, you still get the benefit of attacking with Elusen's 4/4 flying, vigilance, and lifelink body during your combat phase before it departs.

Rewards for Generosity

The core of Elusen's power lies in its final ability: whenever a player 'donates' a permanent to another player, the donor draws a card, gains 1 life, and creates three Treasure tokens. In Magic rules, 'donating' refers to any effect that causes a player to give control of a permanent they own or control to another player. Note that Elusen's own ability to move to the player to your left counts as a donation, meaning you will receive the rewards immediately when she moves.

Strategic Considerations

It is important to remember that Elusen's reward ability triggers for any player, not just you. If you give Elusen to an opponent, and they have ways to give permanents to others, they will also draw cards and create Treasures. Additionally, because Elusen has haste, the player receiving it during your turn will be able to use any of its activated abilities immediately, or attack with it on their own turn without delay.

Interaction examples

The First Gift

You cast Elusen, the Giving during your first main phase. Because it has haste, you attack for 4 damage and gain 4 life. At the start of your second main phase, Elusen's ability triggers. You give control of Elusen to the player on your left. This counts as you donating a permanent, so Elusen's last ability triggers, allowing you to draw a card, gain 1 life, and create three Treasure tokens.

Recurring Value with Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum

With Elusen on the battlefield under your control, you use an effect (such as Zedruu the Greathearted or a similar exchange spell) to give your Solemn Simulacrum to an opponent. Because you donated a permanent, Elusen triggers. You draw a card and get three Treasures. You have already received the land search from Solemn Simulacrum's enters-the-battlefield ability, and now you have the resources to cast even more spells.

Regrowing the Giving Spirit

Eternal Witness

If an opponent destroys Elusen, the Giving while they control it, you can cast Eternal Witness to return Elusen from your graveyard to your hand. When you recast Elusen, you regain control of the 'engine.' Even if you donate Eternal Witness later to another player, Elusen will recognize the donation and reward you with more cards and Treasures.