Monk Gyatso + Lightning Greaves

2-card combo · W

Verdict

Yes — this 2-card loop loops an affinity creature infinitely through exile for infinite ETB and LTB triggers, as long as the affinity condition is met on each cast.

Cards required

Cheapest stack total

$12.51

Color identity

Popularity

5,893 decks

Format

Commander

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Monk Gyatso triggers whenever a creature is targeted by an equip ability, exiling that creature until end of turn; Lightning Greaves equips for zero mana, so activating it targets the affinity creature, Gyatso exiles it, and the equip fizzles with no legal target. The creature returns from exile castable for zero mana if its affinity cost is fully paid — Ancestral Statue needing two attacking creatures is the canonical example, and any white shell already running combat-centric strategies can meet that condition reliably.

How it works

Prerequisites

You are able to reduce the affinity creature's cost by or more. Creature with Affinity You want to reduce the affinity creature's cost by or more using its affinity ability. For example, if you choose Ancestral Statue, you need to control two or more attacking creatures.

Steps

Activate Lightning Greaves's equip ability by paying , targeting the affinity creature.
Monk Gyatso triggers, airbending the targeted creature.
The Lightning Greaves ability fizzles due to no longer having a legal target.
Cast the creature from exile by paying due to its affinity ability.
Repeat.

Result

Infinite LTB; Infinite ETB; Infinite storm count

Cheaper, tighter, alternate lines

Ancestral Statue is the cleanest affinity target here since its bounce-a-permanent text becomes irrelevant at infinite iterations — the loop is already self-sustaining. Any artifact creature with affinity for artifacts works if the artifact count is high enough; Myr Enforcer in an artifact-heavy build hits the zero-cost threshold more passively. The loop generates storm count and ETB triggers but needs a payoff already on the battlefield — Impact Tremors or Altar of the Brood turns the engine into a win.

Monk Gyatso + Lightning Greaves

How it works

Cheaper, tighter, alternate lines

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