Telim'TorHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Telim'Tor has two distinct functions: an keyword-based defensive debuff and a global offensive buff. Flanking ensures that any creature without flanking that attempts to block him will receive -1/-1 until the end of the turn. Additionally, whenever Telim'Tor attacks, he triggers a separate ability that grants every attacking creature with flanking (including himself) an additional +1/+1 until the end of the turn.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you declare Telim'Tor as an attacker. This immediately puts his triggered ability on the stack, which grants attacking creatures with flanking +1/+1. Second, if your opponent chooses to block Telim'Tor with a creature that does not have flanking, the Flanking keyword ability triggers. This penalty is applied to the blocker immediately, potentially destroying it before combat damage is dealt if its toughness is reduced to zero.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that Telim'Tor provides the +1/+1 buff to himself, as he has flanking. Also, remember that the Flanking debuff only applies if the blocker does NOT have the flanking keyword; if two creatures with flanking engage in combat, neither receives the -1/-1 penalty. Lastly, the +1/+1 anthem only checks for creatures that currently have the flanking ability at the time the ability resolves.

When to Play It

Telim'Tor is best utilized in aggressive decks that focus on swarm tactics with Knights or other flanking-heavy creatures. Because his ability triggers on attack, he pair exceptionally well with cards that can double his triggered abilities, turning a minor combat buff into a game-ending strike.

Interaction examples

Knightly Synergy

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield with 'Human' or 'Knight' chosen, and Telim'Tor attacks, his ability triggers twice. All attacking creatures with flanking, including Telim'Tor, will receive a total of +2/+2 until end of turn. Additionally, if Roaming Throne gains flanking through another effect, it would also benefit from these buffs.

The Flanking Penalty

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent blocks Telim'Tor with Solemn Simulacrum, the Flanking ability triggers because the Golem does not have flanking. The Solemn Simulacrum gets -1/-1, becoming a 1/1. Then, Telim'Tor (who is at least a 3/3 due to his own attack trigger) deals lethal damage to the Golem during the combat damage step, while the Golem only deals 1 damage back.