Glissa Sunslayer MTG Card


Glissa offers card draw through combat damage, enriching your hand with additional artifact cards. She provides resource acceleration, retrieving artifacts from the graveyard when dealing combat damage. Though high in mana cost, Glissa’s versatility and combo potential make her a valuable collection addition.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Phyrexian Zombie Elf
Abilities Deathtouch,First strike
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

First strike, deathtouch Whenever Glissa Sunslayer deals combat damage to a player, choose one — • You draw a card and you lose 1 life. • Destroy target enchantment. • Remove up to three counters from target permanent.


Cards like Glissa Sunslayer

Glissa Sunslayer stands out among legendary creature cards in MTG, offering a robust combination of abilities that make her an interesting card for deck-building. Comparatively, Thornbite Staff shares a similar triggered ability with Glissa, where untapping becomes a strategic advantage. Although the Staff is an artifact, not a creature, it also keys off of creature death, enabling repeated use of tap abilities.

Another relative in this sphere is Viridian Zealot. While not as powerful in terms of combat statistics, the Zealot offers the ability to destroy artifacts or enchantments, which makes it a practical alternative for direct control. However, unlike Glissa, it lacks the potential staying power provided by first strike and vigilance. Meanwhile, Ratchet Bomb provides a more explosive approach to dealing with multiple permanents across the battlefield, though it sacrifices the repeatable aspect of Glissa’s triggered ability.

Ultimately, Glissa Sunslayer’s unique blend of offensive and defensive attributes, alongside artifact reclamation, positions her in a distinct niche that can be pivotal in MTG strategies that emphasize creature abilities and artifact synergies.

Thornbite Staff - MTG Card versions
Viridian Zealot - MTG Card versions
Ratchet Bomb - MTG Card versions
Thornbite Staff - MTG Card versions
Viridian Zealot - MTG Card versions
Ratchet Bomb - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Glissa Sunslayer by color, type and mana cost

Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Willowdusk, Essence Seer - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Rhys the Exiled - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Rendclaw Trow - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Willowdusk, Essence Seer - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Rhys the Exiled - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Rendclaw Trow - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Glissa Sunslayer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange StandardGolgari MidrangeStandard Super Qualifier 2024-04-28
4c Legends4c Legends Standard4c LegendsStandard Super Qualifier 2024-04-28
Sultai MidrangeSultai Midrange StandardSultai MidrangeStandard Super Qualifier 2024-04-28

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Glissa Sunslayer offers a unique advantage as it grants players the ability to potentially draw extra cards. This is enabled every time you deal combat damage to a player and can reveal the top card of your library. If it’s an artifact card, it goes into your hand, giving you an upper hand in the resource game.

Resource Acceleration: Glissa Sunslayer provides distinct value in terms of ramping up your resources. By retrieving artifact cards from your graveyard to your hand when dealing damage to an opponent, this can act as a resource acceleration tool. This ability synergizes well with decks that can make use of artifacts efficiently, ensuring you have the tools you need when you need them.

Instant Speed: While Glissa Sunslayer herself may not have instant speed, her triggered abilities can coincide with other instant speed interactions in your deck. For example, she can benefit from instant-speed combat tricks or equipment attachments, maximizing the potential card advantage and resource acceleration she provides during the combat phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Glissa Sunslayer’s ability necessitates the discard of a card, which can be costly when your hand is already running low, potentially leaving you at a strategic disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana types to cast. It requires green mana, which could restrict deck-building flexibility and limit its inclusion to predominantly green decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Glissa Sunslayer’s casting cost on the higher end, players might find it challenging to balance her with other cards that provide similar benefits for less mana, affecting the overall mana curve of the deck.


Reasons to Include Glissa Sunslayer in Your Collection

Versatility: Glissa Sunslayer stands out for its ability to seamlessly integrate into multiple deck archetypes. With solid stats and valuable abilities, this card can serve both offensive and defensive roles on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Known for her synergy with artifacts, Glissa can be the linchpin in decks that capitalize on recycling these resources. Her presence can amplify the power of artifact-based strategies and trigger powerful combos.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where graveyard interaction and artifact strategies are prevalent, Glissa Sunslayer becomes an even more critical addition. Her ability to disrupt opponent plays and leverage the graveyard for your benefit ensures she remains a competitive choice in various formats.


How to beat

Glissa Sunslayer presents an interesting challenge in MTG due to her first-strike ability and potential to be a formidable foe. In combat, she can deal damage before her opponents do, which often allows her to survive encounters that would take down other creatures. To effectively counter Glissa Sunslayer, players should consider using removal spells that don’t rely on dealing damage. These could include spells that require the creature to be sacrificed or that exile it directly from play. Instant speed spells are particularly valuable as they can be used before Glissa has a chance to deal combat damage.

Apart from directly removing her, another strategy involves mitigating her first-strike advantage. This can be achieved by boosting the power and toughness of your creatures, making them strong enough to withstand a first-strike blow. Alternatively, using creatures with deathtouch can deter attacks from Glissa, as they ensure her destruction regardless of combat damage order. Lastly, strategically planning your blocks and attacks to avoid unfavorable exchanges with Glissa is key. Always consider the larger game state and whether it’s worth engaging with her directly, or if it’s better to focus on advancing your board position in other ways.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Glissa Sunslayer MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One and Phyrexia: All Will Be One Promos, 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 Glissa Sunslayer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Glissa Sunslayer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 2022015NormalBlackKrharts
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One PromosPONE 202p2015NormalBlackKrharts
32023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 4612015NormalBorderlessRavenna Tran
42023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One PromosPONE 202s2015NormalBlackKrharts
52023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 3182015NormalBorderlessRavenna Tran
62023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art SeriesAONE 472015Art seriesBorderless

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Glissa Sunslayer has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-02-04 For the third mode, you choose which counters to remove as the ability resolves. You may remove any three (or fewer) counters, even if the permanent has multiple kinds of counters on it.