Myojin of Grim Betrayal 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

Myojin of Grim Betrayal enters with an indestructible counter on it if you cast it from your hand. Remove an indestructible counter from Myojin of Grim Betrayal: Put onto the battlefield under your control all creature cards in all graveyards that were put there from anywhere this turn.

Complete guide

Myojin of Grim Betrayal is a powerful legendary Spirit from the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Commander set that thrives on death and destruction. This massive black creature rewards you for casting it fairly by granting itself protection and the ability to command the dead. It serves as a devastating finisher that can turn a board wipe into a game-winning army.

The Indestructible Shield

When you cast Myojin of Grim Betrayal from your hand, it enters the battlefield with an indestructible counter. This makes the Myojin extremely difficult to remove via damage or 'destroy' effects. Note that if you return it from the graveyard or put it onto the battlefield directly from your library, it will not receive this counter, making it much more vulnerable.

A Mass Resurrection

By removing an indestructible counter from Myojin of Grim Betrayal, you activate its secondary ability. This effect checks all graveyards for any creature cards that were placed there during the current turn. It doesn't matter how they got there—whether they were sacrificed, destroyed, discarded, or milled from the library—they all return to the battlefield under your control.

Timing and Strategy

A common mistake is activating the ability too early. Because the effect only looks at cards put into graveyards 'this turn,' you should wait until after a major combat phase or a mass removal spell has resolved. Once the counter is removed, the Myojin loses its Indestructible status, so time your activation carefully to ensure you aren't responding to a removal spell that will destroy the Myojin before the ability resolves.

When to Deploy the Myojin

Ideally, you should cast this card when the board is stalled or right after you have set up a way to fill graveyards. Since it costs eight mana, it is a late-game play meant to capitalize on the resources spent by all players throughout the turn. It is particularly effective in decks that can sacrifice their own creatures for value before bringing them back.

Interaction examples

Calculated Destruction

Meteor Golem

If you cast Meteor Golem and use its ability to destroy an opponent's creature, that creature goes to the graveyard. If you then remove the indestructible counter from Myojin of Grim Betrayal during that same turn, you will return that opponent's creature to the battlefield under your control. This allows you to 'steal' the best threats you've already dealt with.

The Upkeep Reaper

Sheoldred, Whispering One

At the beginning of an opponent's upkeep, Sheoldred, Whispering One forces them to sacrifice a creature. Once that creature hits the graveyard, you can activate Myojin of Grim Betrayal's ability. Because the sacrifice happened during the current turn, you instantly gain control of the creature they just lost, further depleting their board while bolstering your own.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.