Glissa Sunslayer 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
First strike, deathtouch Whenever Glissa Sunslayer deals combat damage to a player, choose one — • You draw a card and lose 1 life. • Destroy target enchantment. • Remove up to three counters from target permanent.
Complete guide
Glissa Sunslayer is a powerhouse Legendary Phyrexian Zombie Elf that brings a lethal combination of keywords to the battlefield. For just three mana, she offers incredible utility, allowing you to adapt to the state of the board every time she connects with an opponent. Her ability to dismantle enchantments or manipulate counters makes her a versatile threat in any Golgari-colored deck.
A Deadly Combination
Glissa features two of the most synergistic keywords in Magic: First Strike and Deathtouch. Because First Strike allows her to deal damage before creatures without it, and Deathtouch ensures any amount of damage is lethal, she can destroy almost any blocker in combat before they have a chance to strike back. If she goes unblocked, her triggered ability fires, offering you three distinct modes of value.
Resolving the Trigger
When Glissa Sunslayer deals combat damage to a player, her ability goes on the stack. You must choose one of the three modes at that time. If you choose the second or third mode, you must target an enchantment or a permanent respectively. The third mode is particularly flexible; you do not choose which specific counters to remove until the ability actually resolves, and you can choose up to three counters of any kind.
Strategic Versatility
A common mistake is forgetting that Glissa's counter-removal mode can target any permanent, including your own or your opponent's Planeswalkers, Sagas, or creatures with +1/+1 counters. When playing against Glissa, opponents are often forced into 'bad trades' because letting her through means losing an enchantment or watching their Saga lose its progress. Use her to draw cards if you are ahead, or to strip away your opponent's resources if the board is stalled.
Interaction examples
If your opponent has no blockers, Glissa Sunslayer attacks and deals 3 combat damage. Her ability triggers, and you choose the first mode. You draw a card and lose 1 life, successfully replacing the resource you spent to play her while maintaining pressure.
Solemn SimulacrumIf your opponent blocks Glissa Sunslayer with Solemn Simulacrum, the First Strike damage step occurs first. Glissa deals 1 damage (which is lethal due to Deathtouch) to Solemn Simulacrum. The Simulacrum dies before it can deal its 2 damage to Glissa. Because Glissa did not deal damage to a player, her modal ability does not trigger.
Sakura-Tribe ElderYour opponent declares Sakura-Tribe Elder as a blocker. Before damage, they sacrifice the Elder to search for a land. Since the blocker is gone and Glissa does not have Trample, she deals no damage to the player, and you do not get to choose one of her three modes.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Glissa Sunslayer
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
For the third mode, you choose which counters to remove as the ability resolves. You may remove any three (or fewer) counters, even if the permanent has multiple kinds of counters on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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