Triad of FatesHow it works & interactions with other cards

Marking Your Targets

The engine begins with the first ability: for one mana and tapping, you place a fate counter on another target creature. This counter does nothing by itself, but it serves as the necessary 'thread' for the Triad's other two abilities to interact with. Note that you cannot target Triad of Fates with its own first ability.

Flicker and Sacrifice

Once a creature has a fate counter, you have two paths. The white ability exiles the creature and returns it to the battlefield immediately, which is perfect for retriggering 'enters' abilities. The black ability exiles the creature permanently and rewards its controller with two cards. Because the black ability exiles the creature instead of destroying it, it bypasses indestructible and does not trigger 'dies' abilities.

A New Beginning

A common mistake involves assuming the fate counter stays on the creature after it returns. When the middle ability resolves, the creature leaves and returns as a brand-new object with no memory of its previous existence. Consequently, it will not have a fate counter on it when it returns, and you must use the first ability again if you wish to blink it a second time.

Strategic Timing

Since all three abilities require tapping, Triad of Fates is a slow, methodical card. It is best used in defensive decks where you can safely untap and choose the best outcome for your counters. Use the white ability to save your creatures from removal, or the black ability on your own low-value creatures if you desperately need to dig for answers.

Interaction examples

Refreshing the Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum

After placing a fate counter on Solemn Simulacrum, you activate the white ability of Triad of Fates. The Simulacrum is exiled and then returns to the battlefield. This triggers its first ability, allowing you to search for another basic land. Note that since the Simulacrum was exiled and did not die, you do not draw a card from its second ability.

Double the Destiny

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human' or 'Wizard', and you activate Triad of Fates to place a fate counter on a creature, nothing extra happens because the Triad's abilities are activated, not triggered. However, if the creature you blink with the white ability has a triggered ability (like Solemn Simulacrum), and Roaming Throne matches its type, that creature's ability will trigger twice when it re-enters.