Yore-Tiller Nephilim — ruling 1

The creature you put onto the battlefield from your graveyard is attacking, even if the attack couldn't legally be declared (for example, if that creature has defender or an effect says that no more than one creature can attack).

Yore-Tiller Nephilim — ruling 2

Putting an attacking creature onto the battlefield doesn't trigger "When this creature attacks" abilities. It also won't check attacking restrictions, costs, or requirements.

Yore-Tiller Nephilim — ruling 3

In a multiplayer game in which you're allowed to attack only one player each combat, the new creature will be attacking the same player as Yore-Tiller Nephilim. In a multiplayer game in which you may attack multiple players, you choose the player the new creature is attacking. It must be a player you're allowed to attack.

Yore-Tiller Nephilim : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Yore-Tiller Nephilim 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 this creature attacks, return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped and attacking.

Complete guide

Yore-Tiller Nephilim is a four-color powerhouse that turns your graveyard into a relentless strike force. By returning fallen allies directly to the battlefield in the heat of combat, it bypasses traditional casting costs and timing restrictions. This creature is perfect for decks that want to cheat high-impact threats into play while maintaining offensive pressure.

Unpacking the Attack Trigger

When Yore-Tiller Nephilim is declared as an attacker, its ability triggers and targets a creature card in your graveyard. Because the card enters 'tapped and attacking,' it circumvents restrictions like Defender or effects that limit the number of attacking creatures. However, since the returned creature was never declared as an attacker during the 'Declare Attackers' step, its own 'whenever this creature attacks' abilities will not trigger.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you declare Yore-Tiller Nephilim as an attacker during your combat phase. Second, the triggered ability goes on the stack, and you choose a target creature card in your graveyard. Third, as the ability resolves, the creature card is placed directly onto the battlefield. You choose which player or planeswalker it is attacking; in most multiplayer formats, it must attack the same player as the Nephilim unless rules allow attacking multiple opponents, in which case you choose a legal target for that specific creature.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming the returned creature triggers its own attack-based abilities. For example, if a creature says 'Whenever this creature attacks, draw a card,' you will not draw a card because it entered the battlefield already attacking. Additionally, the creature must be in the graveyard at the moment the trigger is put on the stack; you cannot wait for the Nephilim to die in combat to return it to the battlefield with its own ability.

When to Play It

Yore-Tiller Nephilim excels in reanimator strategies and decks that can protect their attackers. Since the ability triggers on the declaration of the attack, you get your value even if the Nephilim is destroyed or blocked later in the phase. Use it to bring back creatures with powerful 'enters the battlefield' or 'dies' triggers to maximize your card advantage.

Interaction examples

Repeating Value with Solemn Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum

If Solemn Simulacrum is in your graveyard, Yore-Tiller Nephilim can return it to the battlefield attacking. You will immediately trigger the Simulacrum's ability to search for a basic land. If the Simulacrum dies during combat, you also get to draw a card, allowing you to repeat this cycle in future turns for massive ramp and draw.

Doubling the Resurrection with Roaming Throne

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Nephilim', Yore-Tiller Nephilim's ability triggers twice. You can target two different creature cards in your graveyard. Both will enter the battlefield tapped and attacking, potentially overwhelming your opponent's blockers with three total attackers instead of one.

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

How it works : Yore-Tiller Nephilim

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 1, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
The creature you put onto the battlefield from your graveyard is attacking, even if the attack couldn't legally be declared (for example, if that creature has defender or an effect says that no more than one creature can attack).
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 1, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
Putting an attacking creature onto the battlefield doesn't trigger "When this creature attacks" abilities. It also won't check attacking restrictions, costs, or requirements.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3February 1, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
In a multiplayer game in which you're allowed to attack only one player each combat, the new creature will be attacking the same player as Yore-Tiller Nephilim. In a multiplayer game in which you may attack multiple players, you choose the player the new creature is attacking. It must be a player you're allowed to attack.
No other card is named in this ruling.