Teysa, Orzhov Scion Avatar MTG Card

Rarity	Rare
Type	Vanguard
Released	2003-01-01
Set symbol
Set name	Magic Online Avatars
Set code	PMOA
Number	57
Frame	2015
Layout	Vanguard
Border	Black
Illustred by	UDON

Key Takeaways

Generates card advantage by turning sacrificed creatures into white Spirit tokens, enhancing board presence.
Spirit tokens offer a rapid mana curve progression, useful for various strategic plays and synergies.
Flexibility to use Spirit tokens at instant speed allows players to adapt and react to threats efficiently.

Text of card

Whenever a nontoken creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Teysa, Orzhov Scion offers a strategic upper hand by transforming non-token creatures you control into additional card draw opportunity. Upon sacrificing a black creature, you’ll have access to white Spirit creature tokens, effectively converting one card into another potential asset, thus fueling your momentum during the course of play.

Resource Acceleration: The generated Spirit tokens are not only beneficial for swarm strategies but also serve as a resource acceleration method. They can be used as sacrificial elements to activate Teysa’s ability or synergize with other cards that leverage creature tokens, setting the pace for a swift and efficient mana curve progression.

Instant Speed: Although Teysa herself doesn’t operate at instant speed, the Spirit tokens she produces can be utilized at instant speed with various sacrifice outlets. This flexibility allows savvy players to respond to threats immediately or create advantageous board states at critical points in the game, keeping opponents constantly on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Teysa, Orzhov Scion requires strategic hand management as you’ll need to sacrifice three white creatures to utilize her exiling ability. This can deplete your resources quickly if not timed right, leaving you vulnerable to your opponent’s plays.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes two white and one black mana, Teysa demands a dedicated Orzhov color identity to be played effectively. This can hinder deck diversity and restrict the inclusion of this card strictly to white and black combinations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Teysa has a three-mana cost, which is substantial for a 2/3 creature. This can be a considerable investment in the early game, particularly when there are more mana-efficient creatures available that could be played instead to build a faster board presence.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Teysa, Orzhov Scion Avatar offers exceptional flexibility, fitting seamlessly into many deck archetypes that capitalize on creature control and sacrifice mechanics. Her ability to create token creatures and exile potential threats aligns with a variety of strategies, enhancing board presence and control.

Combo Potential: This avatar thrives in combos, enabling exponential value. By sacrificing three white creatures, you not only control the board but also cultivate a threatening army of spirit tokens which can become a formidable force or fuel for further synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based tactics reign, Teysa stands her ground. Her skill set is inherently powerful against strategies that rely on creatures, giving her staying power within the ever-shifting meta, and ensuring your deck resilience against a plethora of match-ups.

How to beat

Teysa, Orzhov Scion is an influential figure on the battlefield, presenting a strategic challenge with her ability to leverage sacrificed creatures for control and creating formidable spirit tokens. To outmaneuver this tactician, it’s essential to disrupt her synergy. Suppressing her ability to sacrifice creatures can be key, which means cards that grant protection to your creatures or that restrict interactions, like Rest in Peace, can significantly diminish her influence.

Board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field, while spot removal aims at Teysa directly, ensuring she is off the board and unable to utilize her sacrificial strategy. Grave Pact can be a problem as it forces you to sacrifice creatures whenever Teysa does; therefore, having enchantment removal at the ready is crucial. By cutting off the synergies and keeping the board clear, the advantage Teysa grants can be contained, providing a clearer path to victory.

To sum up, when facing Teysa, Orzhov Scion, it’s all about proactive control and strategic dismantling of her game plan. By staying one step ahead and being ready to deal with her tricks, you can keep her power in check and maintain the upper hand.

Cards like Teysa, Orzhov Scion Avatar

Teysa, Orzhov Scion’s exceptional design brilliantly weaves together the themes of sacrifice and advantage. This card invites immediate comparison with other sacrifice outlets in MTG, such as Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim. Ayli offers life gain as well as a means to exile nonland permanents, but Teysa’s ability to create 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens gives players a veritable army over time while also having a built-in exile effect for creatures.

Another familiar figure is Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter, which, like Teysa, can become a substantial threat through sacrificing other creatures. Yet, Vish Kal demands a much higher mana cost and doesn’t produce tokens. Teysa’s ability to also convert these tokens into a removal effect by sacrificing three white creatures distinguishes her as a powerful multitool. Additionally, Teysa’s synergy with other black and white cards creates possibilities for a variety of win conditions, making her a versatile and formidable avatar in MTG.

The strategic depth offered by sacrifice and control leads to always engaging matchups, positioning Teysa, Orzhov Scion not only as an efficient card in its category but as a core piece in decks aimed at utilizing tokens and creature death to dominate the battlefield.

Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim - MTG Card versions

Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Teysa, Orzhov Scion Avatar MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Avatars, 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 Teysa, Orzhov Scion Avatar and other MTG cards: