Gift of ImmortalityHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Cycle of Life

Gift of Immortality has two distinct triggered abilities. The first triggers when the enchanted creature dies, immediately returning that creature card from the graveyard to the battlefield under its owner's control. The second part of the ability creates a delayed trigger that waits until the next end step to return Gift of Immortality itself to the battlefield, attached to that specific creature.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When the enchanted creature is put into the graveyard, the first ability triggers and goes on the stack. Once it resolves, the creature returns to the battlefield as a new object. A delayed triggered ability is then created. At the beginning of the next end step, this delayed trigger goes on the stack. When it resolves, Gift of Immortality returns to the battlefield attached to that creature. If the creature has left the battlefield again before this delayed trigger resolves, the Aura remains in the graveyard.

Common Pitfalls

One crucial rule to remember is that this card does not work with creature tokens. Because tokens cease to exist once they leave the battlefield, the ability cannot find the card to return it, and subsequently, Gift of Immortality will stay in the graveyard. Additionally, if the creature is exiled instead of being put into the graveyard, the ability will not trigger at all.

Strategic Timing

This card is best used on creatures with powerful 'enters-the-battlefield' or 'dies' triggers. Since the creature returns immediately but the Aura waits until the end step, the creature is vulnerable to a second removal spell during the main phase. Try to enchant creatures that your opponent is forced to interact with to drain their resources.

Interaction examples

Defensive Stability

Ghostly Prison

If you have Ghostly Prison on the battlefield, your opponent is already struggling to attack you. By placing Gift of Immortality on your best blocker, you ensure that even if they pay the tax to attack and manage to kill your defender in combat, your blocker will return instantly to stop any further pressure in future turns.

Protecting Value Engines

Smothering Tithe

While Smothering Tithe provides you with Treasures, your opponent may try to destroy your creatures to slow down your board development. If Gift of Immortality is enchanting a creature you control, it ensures that your defensive line remains intact while Smothering Tithe continues to generate the mana you need to recast the Aura if the chain is ever broken.

The End Step Delay

Suppose your enchanted creature dies during your turn. The creature returns immediately. However, Gift of Immortality stays in the graveyard until your End Step. During this window, your opponent could use a spell to destroy the creature again. If they do, Gift of Immortality will not return because the creature it was tracking is no longer the same object on the battlefield.