Syr Elenora, the Discerning is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Syr Elenora's power is equal to the number of cards in your hand. When Syr Elenora enters, draw a card. Spells your opponents cast that target Syr Elenora costmore to cast.
Complete guide
Meet Syr Elenora, the Discerning, a legendary Human Knight from Eldraine who rewards you for keeping your hand full. Not only does she grow stronger with your knowledge, but she also protects herself from enemy interference by taxing their resources. This card is a powerhouse in blue decks that focus on card advantage and tactical control.
Understanding Hand-Based Power
Syr Elenora features a characteristic-defining ability that sets her power equal to the number of cards in your hand. Because this is a static ability, it is active in all zones, including the library, graveyard, and exile. While her power fluctuates constantly based on your hand size, her toughness remains a steady four, providing a reliable defensive baseline regardless of your resources.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When you cast Syr Elenora, she enters the battlefield and her triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you draw a card, which immediately increases her power by one. While she is on the battlefield, any spell an opponent casts that targets her will have its cost increased by {2}. This tax is applied after any alternative costs are chosen but before any cost reductions are calculated, ensuring your opponent pays a premium for their removal spells.
Tactical Timing and Common Mistakes
A common mistake is forgetting that Syr Elenora's power changes mid-combat if your hand size changes. If you cast an Instant or use a cycling ability after blockers are declared, her power will update immediately. Additionally, remember that her ward-like taxing ability only affects spells, not activated or triggered abilities. If an opponent uses an ability to target her, they do not have to pay the extra {2} mana.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human', Syr Elenora's enters-the-battlefield ability triggers twice. You will draw two cards instead of one, which in turn increases Syr Elenora's power by two points immediately upon her arrival.
Solemn SimulacrumWhen Solemn Simulacrum is destroyed while Syr Elenora is on the field, its death trigger allows you to draw a card. This draw happens before combat damage if used as a blocker, effectively increasing Syr Elenora's power and potential damage output right when it matters most.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Syr Elenora, the Discerning
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
The ability that defines Syr Elenora's power works in all zones, not just the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
To determine the total cost of an opponent's spell that targets Syr Elenora, start with the mana cost or alternative cost that player is paying, add any cost increases (such as that of Syr Elenora's effect), then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Syr Elenora, the Discerning
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