Infinite
Thornbite Staff, Phyrexian Altar, and Bad Moon loop
Infinite black mana, infinite Zombie creature tokens, infinite enters-the-battlefield events, infinite leaves-the-battlefield events, infinite sacrifice triggers, and infinite death triggers.
Required Cards
Setup
- Ghoulcaller Gisa, Thornbite Staff, Phyrexian Altar, and Bad Moon are on the battlefield.
- Thornbite Staff is attached to Gisa.
- Gisa can tap and you can pay {B}.
- Another creature is available to begin the sequence.
- Gisa's Zombie tokens have at least 3 power.
One black mana to start and one black mana per Gisa activation, supplied by Phyrexian Altar during the loop.
Sequence
- Activate Gisa by paying {B}, tapping her, and sacrificing the initial creature.
- Create at least one Zombie.
- Thornbite Staff untaps Gisa when the sacrificed creature dies.
- Sacrifice a 3-power Zombie to Gisa.
- Create three Zombies.
- Thornbite Staff untaps Gisa.
- Sacrifice a Zombie to Phyrexian Altar for {B}.
- Use {B} and sacrifice another 3-power Zombie to Gisa.
- Create three Zombies and untap Gisa.
- Repeat the token-positive loop.
Interruption Points
- Remove or disable Gisa before activation.
- Remove Thornbite Staff or detach it before the untap trigger matters.
- Remove Phyrexian Altar before mana conversion.
- Remove Bad Moon or the equivalent power boost before sacrificing Zombie tokens to Gisa.
- Counter Gisa's activated ability, noting the sacrificed creature is not returned.
- Use Cursed Totem, Pithing Needle, graveyard hate, or artifact removal before the loop is established.
Ghoulcaller Gisa role: Gisa is the sacrifice outlet and token engine that converts 3-power Zombies into three new Zombies.
Timing: Gisa must be able to tap.
Rules notes: Unbuffed 2/2 Zombies are not enough for this token-positive loop. Newly created Zombies can be sacrificed to Gisa despite summoning sickness. The source record is normalized from reviewed Commander Spellbook-style prerequisites; the exact Commander Spellbook ID is not imported locally. Gisa rule 1: Gisa's ability is an activated ability with {B}, tapping Gisa, and sacrificing another creature as activation costs. Gisa rule 2: Gisa cannot sacrifice herself because the cost says another creature. Gisa rule 3: The sacrificed creature is gone before opponents receive priority, and countering the ability does not return it. Gisa rule 4: Removing Gisa after activation does not remove the ability already on the stack. Gisa rule 5: Gisa needs haste or continuous control since the start of the turn to pay the tap cost. Gisa rule 6: X is the sacrificed creature's power, using last-known information if that creature is no longer on the battlefield. Gisa rule 7: Temporary power modifications, counters, Equipment, Auras, and continuous effects can change X before the creature is sacrificed. Gisa rule 8: A zero-power creature creates zero Zombies. Gisa rule 9: Gisa's ability does not target, so hexproof, shroud, protection, and indestructible do not stop the sacrifice cost. Gisa rule 10: A creature that cannot be sacrificed cannot pay the activation cost. Gisa rule 11: Token creatures can be sacrificed and still trigger dies abilities before ceasing to exist. Gisa rule 12: The Zombie tokens enter simultaneously; per-creature entry triggers see each Zombie and one-or-more triggers see one batch. Gisa rule 13: Panharmonicon does not interact with Gisa's activated ability. Gisa rule 14: Thornbite Staff can untap Gisa when a creature dies from the activation cost or loop sacrifices. Gisa rule 15: Newly created Zombies can be sacrificed even though they have summoning sickness. Gisa rule 16: Grave Pact and Dictate of Erebos trigger from the activation-cost sacrifice. Gisa rule 17: Rings of Brighthearth and Illusionist's Bracers copy the activated ability but need separate review for role claims. Gisa rule 18: Copied Gisa abilities do not require another sacrifice unless the copying effect requires a new activation. Gisa rule 19: Commander replacement and graveyard timing must follow current Commander rules.
Last reviewed: Jul 14, 2026
