Teysa of the Ghost CouncilHow it works & interactions with other cards

Harnessing Intensity

Teysa starts with an intensity of 0. Every time she enters the battlefield, she creates a 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token with flying and her intensity increases by 1. Because she provides a static buff to all Spirits you control equal to her current intensity, your tokens become significantly more threatening each time Teysa reappears.

The End Step Cycle

At the beginning of your end step, you have the option to exile Teysa. If you choose to do so, she will return at the beginning of your next upkeep under her owner's control with haste. This flicker effect serves two purposes: it protects Teysa from sorcery-speed removal and triggers her 'enters' ability again, creating another token and further increasing her intensity.

Static Buffs and Timing

The +X/+0 bonus Teysa provides is a static ability that checks her current intensity in real-time. If Teysa leaves the battlefield, the buff disappears immediately. However, since she returns with haste during your upkeep, she will be ready to lead an even stronger Spirit charge during your combat phase.

Strategic Considerations

It is important to remember that Teysa only intensifies when she enters the battlefield. If you have ways to multiply her triggered abilities, her intensity will climb much faster. While she is in exile, she cannot be targeted by most spells, making her an elusive threat that grows inevitably over time.

Interaction examples

Multiplying the Ghost Council

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne with 'Spirit' chosen as the creature type, Teysa's 'enters' ability triggers twice. You will create two Spirit tokens, and Teysa will intensify twice, immediately giving those Spirits +2/+0.

Basic Deployment

Spirit

When you first cast Teysa, she enters with 0 intensity. Her ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Spirit token and increasing her intensity to 1. The Spirit token now effectively becomes a 2/1 flyer thanks to Teysa's static buff.

Non-Spirit Synergy

Solemn Simulacrum

While Teysa specifically buffs Spirits, her end-step exile ability only affects herself. Playing her alongside Solemn Simulacrum allows you to ramp your mana while Teysa focuses on building a specialized Spirit army that grows stronger every turn she blinks.