Tormod, the Desecrator — ruling 1

You create one Zombie token each time Tormod, the Desecrator's ability resolves, no matter how many cards left your graveyard.

Tormod, the Desecrator — ruling 2

If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue.

Tormod, the Desecrator — ruling 3

Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.

Tormod, the Desecrator — ruling 4

To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander.

Tormod, the Desecrator — ruling 5

Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional {2} the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.

Tormod, the Desecrator — ruling 6

If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.

Tormod, the Desecrator — ruling 7

An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.

Tormod, the Desecrator — ruling 8

You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes.

Tormod, the Desecrator : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Tormod, the Desecrator 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

Whenever one or more cards leave your graveyard, create a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token. Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)

Complete guide

Tormod, the Desecrator is a powerhouse commander that turns your graveyard into a relentless factory for the undead. By rewarding you every time cards depart from your discard pile, he ensures your board presence grows with every spell you cast or ability you activate. Whether you are exiling cards for value or returning them to your hand, Tormod stands ready to build your Zombie army.

Understanding the Trigger

Tormod's ability is a triggered ability that looks for a specific event: one or more cards leaving your graveyard. This includes cards being moved to the battlefield, the hand, the library, or exile. Crucially, it does not matter how many cards leave at once; if three cards are exiled by a single effect, Tormod only triggers one time to create one 2/2 black Zombie creature token.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, an effect or cost moves a card out of your graveyard to any other zone. Second, Tormod's ability is placed onto the stack. If multiple separate instances of cards leaving occur (such as two different spells resolving), each instance puts a separate Tormod trigger on the stack. Finally, as each trigger resolves, you create one 2/2 black Zombie creature token tapped. If Tormod leaves the battlefield at the same time cards leave the graveyard, he will still trigger for those cards.

Common Pitfalls

A frequent mistake is assuming Tormod creates a token for every individual card. Because the text says 'one or more,' a spell like a delve card that exiles five cards as a single cost only nets you one Zombie. Additionally, remember that tokens created by Tormod enter the battlefield tapped, meaning they cannot be used as blockers immediately unless you have a way to untap them.

The Strategic Edge

To maximize Tormod, look for 'incremental' graveyard movement rather than 'mass' movement. Effects that move cards one by one or in small, frequent bursts are significantly more effective than one large effect that clears the whole graveyard. Because Tormod has Partner, you can pair him with another commander to gain access to more colors or complementary abilities that facilitate moving cards out of the bin.

Interaction examples

Basic Zombie Generation

Tormod, the Desecrator Zombie

Zombie

If you use an ability to return a creature card from your graveyard to your hand, Tormod, the Desecrator sees one card leave the graveyard. His ability triggers, and when it resolves, you create one tapped 2/2 black Zombie token.

Doubling the Horde

Tormod, the Desecrator

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Wizard' as its type, Tormod's ability is affected. When a card leaves your graveyard, Tormod triggers twice. Each trigger resolves separately, resulting in two tapped 2/2 black Zombie tokens instead of one.

Death Rhythms

Tormod, the Desecrator

Solemn Simulacrum

When Solemn Simulacrum dies while Tormod is on the battlefield, the Simulacrum moves from the battlefield to the graveyard. This does not trigger Tormod. However, if you then use an effect to exile Solemn Simulacrum from your graveyard to draw a card or pay a cost, Tormod will trigger and create a Zombie token.

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

How it works : Tormod, the Desecrator

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
You create one Zombie token each time Tormod, the Desecrator's ability resolves, no matter how many cards left your graveyard.
Card named in this ruling
Zombie
#2November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes.
No other card is named in this ruling.