Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle — ruling 1

If the mana cost of a card in your graveyard includes {X}, X is considered to be 0.

Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle — ruling 2

A card, spell, or permanent is historic if it has the legendary supertype, the artifact card type, or the Saga subtype. Having two of those qualities doesn't make an object more historic than another or provide an additional bonus—an object either is historic or it isn't.

Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle — ruling 3

Some abilities trigger "whenever you cast a historic spell." Such an ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.

Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle — ruling 4

Lands are never cast, so abilities that trigger "whenever you cast a historic spell" won't trigger if you play a legendary land. They also won't trigger if a card on the battlefield transforms into a legendary land, as the Ixalan and Rivals of Ixalan double-faced cards do.

Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle — ruling 5

An ability that triggers "whenever you cast a historic spell" doesn't trigger if a historic card is put onto the battlefield without being cast.

Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle 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

Flying Whenever you cast a historic spell, return target creature card with mana value 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. (Artifacts, legendaries, and Sagas are historic.)

Complete guide

Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle is a powerful engine that breathes life back into your graveyard whenever you utilize ancient relics or legendary figures. By rewarding you for casting historic spells, this Bird Cleric ensures your small but mighty creatures never stay down for long.

Defining Historic Spells

The core of Teshar's ability lies in the 'historic' keyword. A spell is considered historic if it has the Legendary supertype, the Artifact card type, or the Saga enchantment subtype. Even if a spell carries multiple of these traits, such as a Legendary Artifact, it only counts as one historic spell and triggers Teshar once.

The Resolution Process

When you cast a historic spell, Teshar's ability triggers and is placed on the stack on top of that spell. You must choose a legal target—a creature card with mana value 3 or less in your graveyard—at the moment the ability is put on the stack. This means the creature card is returned to the battlefield before the historic spell that triggered it even resolves.

Timing and Restrictions

It is important to remember that Teshar only cares about the act of casting. Playing a legendary land does not trigger the ability because lands are not spells and are never cast. Additionally, if the historic spell is countered, Teshar's ability still resolves, as the trigger occurred the moment the spell was cast.

Managing Mana Values

Teshar looks for creature cards with mana value 3 or less. If a creature card in your graveyard has {X} in its mana cost, X is treated as 0. Always calculate the mana value based on the symbols printed in the top right corner of the card to ensure it meets the requirement.

Interaction examples

Recursive Value Loop

Solemn Simulacrum

With Teshar on the battlefield and Solemn Simulacrum in your graveyard, you cast any historic spell. Teshar's ability triggers, allowing you to target Solemn Simulacrum (mana value 4). Note: In this specific scenario, Solemn Simulacrum cannot be targeted because its mana value is 4, which is greater than the limit of 3. You would need a smaller creature to successfully use Teshar's ability.

Doubling the Ancestry

Roaming Throne

If you control Teshar and cast Roaming Throne, naming 'Bird' or 'Cleric' as it enters, it won't affect that initial cast. however, for every subsequent historic spell you cast, Roaming Throne (which is an Artifact) will cause Teshar's triggered ability to fire an additional time, allowing you to return two small creatures from your graveyard to the battlefield instead of one.

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

How it works : Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If the mana cost of a card in your graveyard includes , X is considered to be 0.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
A card, spell, or permanent is historic if it has the legendary supertype, the artifact card type, or the Saga subtype. Having two of those qualities doesn't make an object more historic than another or provide an additional bonus—an object either is historic or it isn't.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Some abilities trigger "whenever you cast a historic spell." Such an ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Lands are never cast, so abilities that trigger "whenever you cast a historic spell" won't trigger if you play a legendary land. They also won't trigger if a card on the battlefield transforms into a legendary land, as the Ixalan and Rivals of Ixalan double-faced cards do.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
An ability that triggers "whenever you cast a historic spell" doesn't trigger if a historic card is put onto the battlefield without being cast.
No other card is named in this ruling.