Auntie Blyte, Bad Influence 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

Flying Whenever a source you control deals damage to you, put that many +1/+1 counters on Auntie Blyte. , , Remove X +1/+1 counters from Auntie Blyte: It deals X damage to any target.

Complete guide

Auntie Blyte, Bad Influence is a powerful commander that turns your self-inflicted pain into a growing threat on the battlefield. This Devil Advisor encourages you to take risks, rewarding every point of damage you deal to yourself with permanent growth and lethal reach.

Harnessing Self-Damage

Auntie Blyte features a triggered ability that watches for any source you control dealing damage to you. This includes spells you cast, abilities of permanents you control, and even combat damage if you somehow find yourself on the receiving end of your own creatures. Each time such an event occurs, you place a number of +1/+1 counters on Auntie Blyte equal to the amount of damage dealt.

Converting Growth into Damage

The second part of Auntie Blyte's kit is an activated ability. By paying two mana, tapping her, and removing any number of +1/+1 counters, she deals that much damage to any target. This allows you to clear the board of blockers or finish off an opponent directly. Note that you must have the counters available to remove as a cost of the ability; you cannot remove more than she currently has.

Timing and Strategy

Because Auntie Blyte has Flying, she is a formidable attacker once she has accumulated counters. Common mistakes involve forgetting that the damage must come from a source you control; damage from an opponent's creature will not trigger her ability. Always look for cards that have powerful effects but come with the 'downside' of dealing damage to the controller to maximize her potential.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Influence

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Devil' or 'Advisor' chosen as the creature type, Auntie Blyte's triggered ability will trigger an additional time whenever a source you control deals damage to you. If a spell deals 2 damage to you, Auntie Blyte will receive two sets of two +1/+1 counters, totaling four counters from a single instance of damage.

Standard Value Play

Solemn Simulacrum

While Solemn Simulacrum does not deal damage to you, it serves as an excellent support piece. It ensures you hit your land drops to pay for Auntie Blyte's activation cost and provides a body to block while you use your life total as a resource to grow your Commander. If you find a way to redirect damage from your Golem to yourself, Auntie Blyte will grow accordingly.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.