Gishath, Sun's AvatarHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unpacking the Primeval Power

Gishath is equipped with vigilance, trample, and haste, meaning it can attack the turn it arrives, bypass small blockers, and still stand ready to defend. Its primary power, however, is its triggered ability. When Gishath deals combat damage to a player, you look at a number of cards from the top of your library equal to that damage. You then choose any number of Dinosaur creature cards from those revealed cards and put them directly onto the battlefield.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, Gishath must deal combat damage to a player; damage dealt to planeswalkers or creatures won't trigger the ability. Once the ability triggers and resolves, you reveal the cards. You are not required to put every Dinosaur you find onto the battlefield, though you usually will. Any cards not chosen, including non-Dinosaur cards, are placed on the bottom of your library in a random order. If Gishath deals more damage than you have cards in your library, you simply reveal what is left without losing the game, as you are revealing cards rather than drawing them.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

A common mistake is forgetting that Gishath's ability only triggers on combat damage. Using spells to make Gishath 'fight' another creature will not trigger the effect. Additionally, keep in mind that the Dinosaurs enter the battlefield during the resolution of the ability, meaning their 'Enters' triggers will wait until the Gishath ability has finished completely before they are placed on the stack.

When to Unleash the Avatar

Because Gishath has haste, it is best played when your opponent is tapped out or has no flying or reach blockers to stop the trample damage. Use power-buffing effects to increase Gishath's attack power before the damage step, as every extra point of damage translates into another card revealed from your library, significantly increasing your chances of hitting high-impact Dinosaurs.

Interaction examples

Direct Combat Impact

If Gishath, Sun's Avatar attacks and is blocked by a 1/1 creature, its trample allows it to deal 6 damage to the defending player. You then reveal the top 6 cards of your library, putting any Dinosaurs found among them onto the battlefield.

Non-Dinosaur Synergy Limits

Craterhoof Behemoth

If you reveal Craterhoof Behemoth while resolving Gishath's trigger, you cannot put it onto the battlefield because it is a Beast, not a Dinosaur. It must be placed on the bottom of your library with the other non-Dinosaur cards.

Interactions with Tokens

Avenger of Zendikar

Suppose you have Avenger of Zendikar on the field with several Plant tokens. If Gishath deals damage and brings out several Dinosaurs, the Plant tokens do not receive any buffs from this action, as Gishath's ability only cares about putting Dinosaur cards from the library into play, which does not trigger the Landfall ability of the Avenger.