Thalia's Geistcaller MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Abilities	Lifelink
Released	2019-08-23
Set symbol
Set name	Commander 2019
Set code	C19
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	7
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Sean Sevestre

Key Takeaways

Thalia’s Geistcaller entwines board presence with strategic token generation, fueling gameplay without depleting your hand.
Instant speed activation empowers flexibility in play, allowing you to surprise opponents and shift the game’s momentum.
Despite its potential, mindful mana management and hand resources are key due to its specific casting requirements.

Text of card

Lifelink Whenever you cast a spell from your graveyard, create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying. Sacrifice a Spirit: Thalia's Geistcaller gains indestructible until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thalia’s Geistcaller shines by potentially creating multiple Spirit tokens, effectively adding more creatures to your side of the battlefield without spending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: By utilizing the Spirits generated, players can ramp up their strategy, using them for chump blocking or as incremental gains for sacrifice mechanics, thereby accelerating their resources in the long game.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Thalia’s Geistcaller at instant speed gives players the flexibility to respond to threats or create an unexpected board state at the end of an opponent’s turn, keeping opponents guessing and on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thalia’s Geistcaller necessitates discarding another spirit card as part of its casting process. This could deplete your hand, especially if you don’t have surplus spirits to discard or if each card in your hand is vital to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Thalia’s Geistcaller requires both white and colorless mana, making it a less flexible choice for decks that aren’t heavily invested in white or that run on a tight mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost set at three mana for a 2/1 creature, it may be considered costly, particularly in formats where tempo and efficiency are crucial. Players might find other cards with a more immediate impact on the game at a lower mana cost.

Reasons to Include Thalia’s Geistcaller in Your Collection

Versatility: Thalia’s Geistcaller is a multifunctional card that can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to generate creature tokens makes it a solid addition to strategies that revolve around creature presence and sacrifice mechanics.

Combo Potential: The card’s spirit token generation upon casting spells from the graveyard opens up numerous combo possibilities. It synergizes well with decks that focus on recurring spells or creatures from the graveyard, amplifying their impact on the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current game environment, where graveyard interaction is a common strategy, Thalia’s Geistcaller gains additional value. The card can be a game-changer in the right setup and adjusts well against various opponents, making it a wise choice for competitive play.

How to beat

Thalia’s Geistcaller is a well-known creature in MTG, recognized for its ability to bring relentless pressure on the battlefield. When this spirit soldier is in play, whenever you sacrifice another creature, you create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying. This ability can rapidly escalate, placing opponents on a tight clock as the sky fills with ethereal warriors.

To counteract Thalia’s Geistcaller, timely removal is key. Engage cards that can exile it before its ability triggers. Consider instants like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile for a swift resolution. Moreover, grave disruption tactics can hinder the value Thalia’s Geistcaller offers from sacrifice synergies. Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus can disrupt these recursive plays significantly. Utilize board wipes such as Wrath of God to reset the game state and remove any tokens generated by its ability.

Beyond removal, focus on modifying your playstyle. Prioritize maintaining board control, and if possible, use counter spells to prevent Thalia’s Geistcaller from hitting the field altogether. A well-timed Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto can save you from a flood of spirits and help secure your path to victory.

Cards like Thalia's Geistcaller

Thalia’s Geistcaller is a notable entry in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It shares thematic and mechanical similarities with cards like Relic Seeker, as both of them offer a bonus when they enter the battlefield. Thalia’s Geistcaller excels by bringing a spirit creature into play, enhancing your battlefield presence immediately. Relic Seeker kicks off a quest for an Equipment card once it lands a hit, which can be a slower process.

Another comparable card is Geist-Honored Monk. Both summon spirits, yet the Monk creates more creatures based on the number of cards in your hand, potentially flooding the field with spectral allies. However, unlike Thalia’s Geistcaller, the Monk doesn’t possess the first strike ability, placing Thalia’s summoned spirits at a strategic advantage during combat phases.

When examining the utility and impact of various creature spells, Thalia’s Geistcaller emerges as a card of interest for players who value instant board presence and the tactical edge of first strike. Its capacity to create additional creatures can quickly tip the scales in a player’s favor, situating it as a viable option in the spirit and soldier deck archetypes.

Cards similar to Thalia's Geistcaller by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thalia's Geistcaller MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2019, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Thalia's Geistcaller and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thalia's Geistcaller has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Penny	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thalia's Geistcaller card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2019-08-23	The triggered ability of Thalia’s Geistcaller will resolve before the spell that caused it to trigger but after targets have been chosen for that spell. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2019-08-23	You can sacrifice any Spirit you control to activate the last ability of Thalia’s Geistcaller, not just a Spirit token it created.