Ayesha Tanaka 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
Banding (Any creatures with banding, and up to one without, can attack in a band. Bands are blocked as a group. If any creatures with banding you control are blocking or being blocked by a creature, you divide that creature's combat damage, not its controller, among any of the creatures it's being blocked by or is blocking.): Counter target activated ability from an artifact source unless that ability's controller pays
. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)
Complete guide
Meet Ayesha Tanaka, a classic legend from the Legends set who brings the intricate Banding keyword to the table. Beyond her combat prowess, she serves as a specialized disruption tool against artifact-heavy strategies. This Human Artificer is a master of tactical formation and mechanical sabotage.
Mastering the Banding Keyword
Banding is one of Magic's most complex keywords, functioning differently on offense and defense. On your turn, Ayesha Tanaka can form an attacking 'band' with any number of other creatures with banding and up to one creature without it. If the opponent blocks any member of that band, the entire band is blocked. Crucially, while a creature with banding is involved in combat, you—not the opponent—choose how the opponent's creatures assign their combat damage among your creatures.
Disrupting the Machine
Ayesha's activated ability allows her to tap to counter a target activated ability from an artifact source unless its controller pays one white mana. Activated abilities are always formatted as '[Cost]: [Effect].' Note that this cannot target mana abilities (abilities that produce mana and don't require a target), but it is perfect for stopping utility artifacts or equipment.
Strategic Resolution
When you activate Ayesha's ability, it goes on the stack targeting an artifact's activated ability. Upon resolution, the game checks if the opponent can or will pay {W}. If they don't, the targeted ability is removed from the stack and does nothing. This makes Ayesha a constant tax on your opponent's resources.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is trying to use Ayesha Tanaka to stop triggered abilities. Triggered abilities start with 'When,' 'Whenever,' or 'At' and do not have a colon; Ayesha cannot interact with these. Additionally, remember that in an attacking band, all creatures must attack the same player or planeswalker.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf Ayesha Tanaka and Solemn Simulacrum block a large creature together, Ayesha's banding ability allows you to choose how the attacker's damage is assigned. You can choose to assign all the lethal damage to Solemn Simulacrum to trigger its card-draw death ability, keeping Ayesha perfectly safe.
Roaming ThroneIf your opponent controls Roaming Throne and its Ward {2} ability triggers, Ayesha Tanaka cannot counter it because Ward is a triggered ability, not an activated one. However, if the opponent had an artifact with an ability like '{2}: Draw a card,' Ayesha could tap to force them to pay an extra {W} or lose the effect.
Ayesha Tanaka, ArmorerWhen Ayesha Tanaka, Armorer attacks, her ability triggers to look at the top four cards of your library. This is a triggered ability. The original Ayesha Tanaka cannot counter this ability because it is triggered, and also because Ayesha Tanaka, Armorer is not an artifact source (she is a creature).
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Ayesha Tanaka
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written "[Cost]: [Effect]." Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature in combat has banding, its controller assigns damage for creatures blocking or blocked by it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with banding attacks, it can team up with any number of other attacking creatures with banding (and up to one nonbanding creature) and attack as a unit called a "band." The band can be blocked by any creature that could block a single creature in the band. Blocking any creature in a band blocks the entire band. If a creature with banding is blocked, the attacking player chooses how the blockers' damage is assigned.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
A maximum of one nonbanding creature can join an attacking band no matter how many creatures with banding are in it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Creatures in the same band must all attack the same player or planeswalker.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Interactions with other cards
These cards' text mentions Ayesha Tanaka.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Ayesha Tanaka
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