Summoner's SendingHow it works & interactions with other cards

Harnessing the Graveyard

This enchantment features a triggered ability that occurs at the start of your end step. You choose a target creature card from any graveyard; if that card is successfully exiled, you are rewarded with a 1/1 white Spirit token with flying. The effectiveness of this Spirit depends on the size of the soul you consumed, as larger creatures provide additional strength.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, at the beginning of your end step, the ability triggers and you choose a target creature card in a graveyard. Second, as the ability resolves, you decide whether to exile the target. Third, if the card is exiled, you create a 1/1 Spirit token. Finally, the game checks the mana value of the card you just exiled; if that value is 4 or greater, you place a +1/+1 counter on the newly created Spirit.

Important Rules and Mana Values

A common mistake involves cards with {X} in their mana cost. According to official rulings, X is always treated as 0 when a card is in the graveyard, so a creature costing {X}{W}{W} will have a mana value of 2 regardless of what was paid for it. Additionally, remember that you must be able to exile the card to get the token; if the target card leaves the graveyard before the ability resolves, no Spirit is created.

Strategic Implementation

Summoner's Sending is best utilized in defensive decks that aim to outlast the opponent. Because it triggers every one of your end steps, it provides a consistent stream of flying blockers or attackers. It is particularly effective against 'Reanimator' strategies, as it allows you to remove your opponent's key threats while building your own board.

Interaction examples

Creating an Aerial Defense

Summoner's SendingGhostly Prison

With Summoner's Sending producing flying Spirit tokens every turn, you create a recurring line of defense. When combined with Ghostly Prison, you force your opponent to pay mana just to attack, while your Spirits can easily block any flyers they manage to send your way, stalling the game in your favor.

Life and Death Cycles

Summoner's SendingAuthority of the Consuls

While Summoner's Sending works to build your army from the graveyard, Authority of the Consuls ensures your opponent's creatures enter the battlefield at a disadvantage. If your opponent also has a Summoner's Sending, Authority of the Consuls will cause their new Spirit tokens to enter tapped, preventing them from being used as immediate blockers.

Evaluating the Soul

Summoner's Sending

If you exile a creature card with a mana cost of {2}{W}{W} (mana value 4) during your end step, you create a 1/1 Spirit and immediately put a +1/+1 counter on it, resulting in a 2/2 flyer. If you exile a creature with mana cost {W} (mana value 1), you simply get the 1/1 Spirit without the counter.