Ghost of IllyriaHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Mechanics of Phasing Out

Ghost of Illyria features a triggered ability that triggers the moment it enters the battlefield. You may target one other nonland permanent you control to be exiled. Unlike some effects that return a card immediately, this card stays in exile until the beginning of the next end step, meaning it is safe from most board wipes but temporarily unavailable for combat.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, Ghost of Illyria enters the battlefield, putting its ability on the stack. You choose a legal target nonland permanent you control. When the ability resolves, the target is moved to the exile zone. At the beginning of the next end step, a delayed triggered ability triggers, returning the card to the battlefield under its owner's control. If Ghost of Illyria enters during an end step, the card won't return until the beginning of the next turn's end step.

Common Pitfalls

Remember that Ghost of Illyria cannot target itself, as the ability specifies 'other' target. Additionally, it cannot target lands. If the exiled card is a token, it will cease to exist once it hits the exile zone and will not return at the end step. Also, if the exiled card had any counters on it or Auras attached to it, those will be lost or put into the graveyard respectively when the card is exiled.

Strategic Timing

Use Ghost of Illyria to reset cards with limited uses or to double up on 'enters' triggers. Because the card returns at the next end step, you can use this defensively to keep a creature away from a sorcery-speed board wipe, or offensively to clear a path by removing a blocking creature that you own but was pacified by an opponent.

Interaction examples

Maximizing Mana and Resources

Solemn Simulacrum

When Ghost of Illyria enters, target Solemn Simulacrum. The Simulacrum is exiled. At the next end step, Solemn Simulacrum returns to the battlefield, triggering its ability again to let you search for another basic land. Note that you do not draw a card because the Simulacrum was exiled, not put into the graveyard from the battlefield.

Doubling the Spectral Shift

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne is on the battlefield with 'Spirit' or 'Elemental' chosen as the creature type, Ghost of Illyria's entry ability triggers twice. You can target two different nonland permanents you control. Both will be exiled and both will return to the battlefield at the beginning of the next end step, providing massive value from their enter-the-battlefield effects.

Protecting Your Assets

If an opponent casts a spell to destroy one of your powerful artifacts, you can cast Ghost of Illyria (or bring it into play) to exile that artifact in response. The artifact is safely hidden in exile while the opponent's spell fails to find its target. The artifact then returns safely to your control at the end of the turn.