Elsa Bloodstone Decks to Try on Day 1 and Strategy Guide: Just Fill the Board!

Elsa Bloodstone is the Season Pass card for the October 2023 Season Bloodstone. It is a 2-Cost, 2-Power card that reads If you play another card to fill a location, give it +3 Power. Today, we will take a deeper look at the new card and, of course, the best decks to try it out in.

Variants

Elsa Bloodstone

Each card you play to fill your side of a location gains +2 Power.

Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Elsa Bloodstone

Strengths and Weaknesses

Elsa Bloodstone has an interesting ability in that she is a scaling card but does not provide the buff to herself. Instead, the buff she gives is to the other cards that fill a location, and, from the wording, this indicates cards that fill ANY location. Is this the buff to flood strategies that we need to bring them back? Or is it unlikely to create enough power to contend with the rest of the metagame?

Variants

Mysterio

As you play this, play Illusions to other locations. Disguise this as an Illusion until the game ends.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Mysterio

When we are looking at the impact of Elsa, we can start by considering the impact when we fill every spot on the board on Turn 6. If, on Turn 6, we can play a card in each location that fills it, we can add a total of nine power to whatever we play. One key point to highlight here is that it has to be played. And one card that plays a card at three locations at once that we can use as an example is Mysterio.

Variants

Hit Monkey

On Reveal: Gain +2 Power for each other card you played this turn.

Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Hit Monkey

Variants

Kitty Pryde

When this returns to your hand, +1 Power. Returns at the start of each turn.

Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Kitty Pryde

Mysterio would change from two energy for four power at one location into two energy for three power at two locations and seven power at another. Elsa Bloodstone and Mysterio alone becomes four energy for 15 power that is spread across the board. On Turn 6, this also leaves you with two energy to play another card to potentially fill the spots on the board prior to your plays. We are already looking at a two card combination that can create 15 power, and this is not even the potential ceiling for the card.

Variants

Squirrel Girl

On Reveal: Add a 1-Power Squirrel to each other location.

Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Squirrel Girl

Variants

Jeff the Baby Land Shark

You can move this once. Nothing can stop you from moving or playing this to any location.

Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Jeff the Baby Land Shark

The ceiling for the card comes from the lack of restriction on how many times the effect can be triggered. It does not read first time, it only cares if you play the card. Yes, that is a restriction that impacts using cards like Ultron, Shanna, and Squirrel Girl as your only ways to fill the locations, but there are plenty of cards that can fill a location and then make room for the location to be filled again.

Jeff the Baby Land Shark, Nightcrawler, Vision, and Silk are all cards that can do this along with Kitty Pryde (who could potentially receive multiple buffs throughout the game). It is not out of the realm of possibility to fill locations multiple times during a game and gain in excess of nine power from the effects of these cards.

Variants

Shadow King

On Reveal: Set all cards here to their base Power.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Shadow King

Variants

Killmonger

On Reveal: Destroy ALL 1-Cost cards.

Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Killmonger

Additionally, the effect happens on trigger and it is on a [2/2] card, so interaction with this effect is not easy. We cannot use Killmonger, Rogue, or Enchantress to counter the effect directly, and, if you’re filling locations with certain cards, the power can move or shift and is likely to be underneath nine power per card (Shang-Chi‘s threshold). This leaves Shadow King and Valkyrie as potential counters to one or two lanes to this effect, which may not even be successful ways to counter the card.

Variants

Iron Fist

On Reveal: After you play your next card, move it one location to the left.

Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Iron Fist

Variants

Beast

On Reveal: Return your other cards here to your hand. They cost 1 less next turn.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Beast

Bounce and Move decks can both fit lots of the synergy cards and dodge the counters. Additionally, new cards like Mobius M. Mobius can help negate indirect counters to the strategy. However, one more synergy to consider is just flooding the board on later turns. Although cards like Squirrel Girl Girl don’t directly get the power, when ordered correctly they can create a situation where the other played cards will fill the location and get the buffs. This additional synergy of just going wide could see several Zoo/Flood decks rise in performance. We might see Elsa Bloodstone filling early Series 1 & 2 decks and being a card that elevates those decks consistently.

The Verdict

This card is potentially one of the most powerful card engines we have had released in the game. The amount of potential synergy cards that can fit into dedicated decks is already high, and, on top of that, we may be able to build hybrid decks easily with small packages built around Kitty Pryde and some Movement cards.

We can also avoid the majority of tech cards in the game with these strategies, and the card itself is difficult to turn off. The card synergizes with cards as early on as Squirrel Girl, and it can potentially be seen at all levels of play immediately upon release.

Potential Score:

Elsa and Jeff Go To the Zoo

Elsa and Jeff Go To The Zoo

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

6

2x Collection Level 1-14

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

3x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

2x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2x Recruit Season

2.2

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.6

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Starting with one of the simpler directions, this deck wants to get Elsa Bloodstone down prior to Turn 4 (but preferably as soon as possible). Then you can play what you can and aim to Ka-Zar and Blue Marvel on Turn 4 an Turn 5, respectively. On Turn 6 you just drop your hand onto the board, but be careful to make sure cards like Squirrel Girl resolve prior to other cards like Mysterio so you maximize the buffs.

The rule of thumb going into these decks will be playing Mysterio last. This deck looks to include Mojo, Ant Man, and Dazzler as more “full board” pay off, so Armor is a must.

Elsa’s Flying Circus / The Collector Without Loki

One of the easiest decks to adapt for the card is Bounce. Elsa Bloodstone has great synergy here since you could fill the location multiple times, bounce multiple cards back, and then do it all again. As the most natural home, there are two ways we can try.

Elsa’s Flying Circus

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

5

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

3x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

3x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

2x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

1x Starter Card

2.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

1.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

The bounce deck we all know and love has all the best synergy cards for Elsa Bloodstone, so that should be an instant home for the card. This first version has a few ways to replay cards and refill locations, and that obviously gets a lot from Elsa.

The Collector Without Loki

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

1

1x Collection Level 1-14

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

4x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

2x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

1x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

1.9

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

1.9

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

This second version gives you even more ways to fill locations and replay cards, which maximizes your benefit from Elsa (but the first deck may just be more consistent). This could have a higher power ceiling, though, so it’s still worth a shot.

Finish Them! / Fatality

Sera may end up being the default way to build flexible decks for Elsa Bloodstone. However, we are moving further and further away from the ability to play tech cards in the 12 if we are building for her scaling effect alongside Angela and Bishop.

Finish Them!

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

0

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

4x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

4x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

1x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.6

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

The first deck here looks to avoid the tech cards all together and basically just put power down and fill locations. We are only aiming for the floor of the card here, but, with the small Discard package of Blade, Daken, and Colleen Wing, we have a surprising amount of power output.

Fatality

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

0

2x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

4x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

3x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

2x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.8

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.5

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

This second Sera deck looks to include the good tech cards to try countering opposing versions of the deck while also having significant power output bolstered by Elsa. This is a proven deck at this point, and it could be a good way to play Elsa while everyone is learning.

Move Monkey Move / All Movement & 2099

Move is an archetype that will get more support throughout the month, and cards that move can fill locations to get the buff while leaving room for later.

Move Monkey Move

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

0

1x Collection Level 1-14

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

2x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

2x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

4x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.1

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.7

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

This first deck looks to combine the value Move cards with the Mysterio and Hit Monkey combo to add lots of power across the board, and it still manages to be annoying along the way with Spider-Man, Nightcrawler, Jeff the Baby Land Shark, and Silk. Each of those cards also represents a good Elsa target in different circumstances.

All Movement & 2099

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

0

5x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

2x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

3x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

1x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

1x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.5

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.5

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

This is the “all-in on Movement” version with Elsa Bloodstone. This deck allows us to fill lanes and pull cards out to fill them again, and, as an added bonus, you can play Spider-Man 2099.

Elsa and Jeff Save Kitty

Elsa and Jeff Save Kitty

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

0

4x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

2x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

2x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

3x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Shuri may not be what you immediately thought of, but Elsa potentially brings back an archetype that only recently had a significant adjustment: Shuri and Kitty Pryde. Elsa can represent multiple buffs on Kitty, but the main plan here is to play Shuri into Vision or Kitty Pryde and fill the lane. Although Shuri acrivates first and the 3 powrt is added after, is still represents an additional three power on the card, and that power can then be copied via Taskmaster on another lane. We can also fill the lane again after adding little extra value.

Red Dracula Zoo

Red Dracula Zoo

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

1

2x Collection Level 1-14

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

3x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

3x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

1x Recruit Season

2.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.3

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Dracula Zoo is slightly more complex to play than the Zoo deck featured up top, so you have to be very careful not to allow Dracula to fill any lanes. The rest of the plan remains the same, though. Empty your hand, but do so before Turn 6 so you can play America Chavez as your final card and have Dracula pull Red Skull. Red Skull could be any other big card, but he is still preferred since he can be played on any lane.

Midnight Discard

Midnight Discard

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

0

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

2x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

4x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

2x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

1x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

3.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

One card that may be an underrated synergy with Elsa is Swarm. This deck is here mostly to demonstrate another way to play the card, and, later in the month, we get another synergy card with Black Knight. Here we want as many Swarms as possible so on the final turn we can play out all our cards and (hopefully) get an extra six or nine power from Elsa.

Elsa Thor Drop

Elsa Thor Drop

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 7 months ago

1

2x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

6x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

3x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

1x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Thor and Hit Monkey may also be able to get a lot from this card. We have multiple 0-Cost cards that can both receive the buff or set up the buff on the final turns along with some early fill potential with Kitty Pryde. The main goal here, though, is just to play her alongside other cards on the final turn to close out the game with the additional power from Elsa Bloodstone.

Video

Closing Thoughts

Elsa Bloodstone looks to be a card worth experimenting in a few different shells, however she clearly synergizes with some more than others. This is both positive and negative, as any adjustments that hit the decks this card is in could impact the usefulness of this card significantly.

However, the effect is independently strong, similar to Angela‘s, and it could become a card we see dropping into the fringes of other decks that tend to fill one or two locations. This is definitely a card with current power and future potential that is more than worth considering.

Good Luck, Have Fun, and Stay Safe!