Ellyn Harbreeze, Busybody is an intriguing new option for Commander (EDH) players looking to explore an unconventional but interactive style of gameplay. Found in Magic: The Gathering’s Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond crossover, Ellyn offers a refreshing take on white-blue (Azorius) politics. Rather than relying on raw power or stax-heavy strategies, this commander leans into investigation, information sharing, and tapping into group dynamics to control the flow of the game. For players who enjoy manipulating the table through subtle influence, Ellyn Harbreeze might be the perfect fit. This guide will walk through building an effective Ellyn Harbreeze EDH deck, optimizing her unique ability, and navigating multiplayer politics with flair.
Understanding Ellyn Harbreeze’s Card Abilities
Core Mechanics and Strategy
Ellyn Harbreeze, Busybody, costs {2}{W}{U} and has the following effect:
‘At the beginning of each end step, if you created a Clue this turn, draw a card.’
Her ability rewards clue generation, which means the more Investigate triggers you can produce, the more value you gain. She promotes a slow but steady card draw engine that fits well in longer multiplayer games. In Azorius colors, this ability blends perfectly with control and tempo strategies that rely on resource accumulation rather than aggressive board presence.
Commander Identity and Color Access
Being a white-blue commander, Ellyn has access to excellent control spells, blink effects, and token synergies. She does not require a high amount of mana to function, which allows you to curve out efficiently and focus your resources on building board presence and interacting with opponents.
Building Around Ellyn Harbreeze
Clue Generation Engines
Since Ellyn’s power comes from clue creation, filling the deck with cards that Investigate is the foundation. Some of the best include:
- Thopter Spy Network: Generates artifacts and draws cards, synergizing with clue tokens.
- Trail of Evidence: Investigates whenever you cast an instant or sorcery.
- Ongoing Investigation: Rewards combat damage with more clue tokens.
- Eloise, Nephalia Sleuth: Though not legal in a mono-Azorius deck, worth mentioning if splashing for fun in casual rule-0 settings.
- Ulvenwald Mysteries: Provides Investigate triggers on creature deaths and creature tokens from sacrificing clues.
Support Cards
Aside from direct clue generators, support pieces help amplify Ellyn’s impact. Consider cards like:
- Tamiyo’s Journal: Slow but powerful clue engine that also tutors.
- Academy Manufactor: Combos with every clue trigger to create treasures and food tokens as well.
- Anointed Procession: Doubles all clue tokens produced, dramatically improving efficiency.
- Gala Greeters: Pairs well with token production and adds flexibility with lifegain or treasure.
Card Draw and Value Engines
Ellyn’s ability already gives repeatable draw, but additional support ensures you don’t stall. Look into:
- Bident of Thassa: Encourages opponents to attack and rewards you with more draw.
- Consecrated Sphinx: If budget allows, this classic EDH powerhouse snowballs advantage fast.
- Skullclamp: Good for decks with lots of small creature tokens that can be sacrificed.
Controlling the Board
Removal and Interaction
Being in blue-white gives you a full suite of answers to threats. A few key cards to consider:
- Path to Exile / Swords to Plowshares: Efficient creature removal.
- Counterspell / Mana Leak / Arcane Denial: Basic but useful blue counters to maintain control.
- Generous Gift: Removes any permanent while remaining flexible.
- Fateful Absence: Offers removal and even provides a clue, synergizing with Ellyn’s effect.
Board Wipes
Including several reset buttons can help you maintain tempo and punish aggressive decks. Examples include:
- Supreme Verdict: Uncounterable and highly reliable.
- Winds of Abandon: Scalable and exile-based, though risky if overloaded without a follow-up.
- Cyclonic Rift: A blue staple for tempo control in multiplayer.
Political Playstyle and Multiplayer Strategy
How to Influence the Table
Ellyn doesn’t demand attention early in the game. Use this to your advantage by subtly offering value to your opponents such as letting them benefit from group draw spells or giving them information through effects like Temple Bell or Howling Mine. This softens your image while letting you build quietly.
Timing Your Draw and Sacrifice
Since Ellyn triggers on the end step if you created a clue, you can hold off on sacrificing clue tokens during your own turn and instead wait until you can maximize draw. Cards likeClock of OmensorTamiyo’s Safekeepingmay help you protect your key pieces while giving you more flexibility.
Using Clues as Political Currency
In some playgroups, you can get creative. Use cards likeCoveted JewelorTreasure Mapto generate discussion or negotiation. Offering others minor benefits in exchange for not being attacked can prolong your presence and let Ellyn accrue long-term value.
Win Conditions
Incremental Advantage
The most common way Ellyn wins games is by outdrawing opponents and outlasting them through value. You’ll eventually have more answers, more threats, and more resilience. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have backup plans.
Token Swarms
If you’re creating many clue tokens and doubling them, it might be worthwhile to include ways to turn tokens into threats:
- Mechanized Production: Can win the game if you control 8 clues with the enchantment attached to one.
- Sharding Sphinx: Combines well with artifact tokens and flyers for aggressive finishes.
- Mirrodin Besieged (War Option): If you control enough artifacts, this becomes a surprise win condition.
Approach of the Second Sun
As a backup win con, this spell fits well in control decks with plenty of draw power. You can find and replay it quickly thanks to Ellyn’s engine.
Upgrading and Meta Adjustments
Budget vs Competitive
Ellyn Harbreeze works well on both casual and budget levels. She doesn’t require expensive staples to function, but adding cards likeSmothering Tithe,Esper Sentinel, orUrza, Lord High Artificercan make the deck more competitive.
Adapting to Different Playgroups
In more aggressive metas, include additional pillow fort cards likeGhostly PrisonorPropaganda. In slower groups, you can afford to lean more into combo or engine-based strategies with cards likeUnwinding ClockorEnlightened Tutorto find critical artifacts.
Ellyn Harbreeze, Busybody offers a refreshing change of pace from the typical control or stax-style Azorius commanders. With her focus on clue token generation and passive card draw, she rewards players who enjoy slow-building value, political gameplay, and clever board interaction. By building around Investigate mechanics, leveraging subtle influence, and maintaining flexible control options, Ellyn makes for a fun, effective, and memorable commander in EDH. Whether you’re new to Magic or a seasoned player looking for a unique take on blue-white strategies, Ellyn Harbreeze is a commander worth exploring in depth.
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