Phasing
Zones & actions
A phased-out permanent is treated as though it doesn't exist — until your next untap step.
How it works
A permanent that phases out is treated as though it doesn't exist: it can't be targeted, its static abilities stop applying, it can't trigger, and it can't attack or block. It phases back in at the start of its controller's next untap step, and anything attached to it phases out and back with it.
Phasing is NOT leaving the battlefield. Nothing "dies" or "leaves", and phasing back in isn't entering, so no triggers happen either way; counters stay, and choices made as it entered are remembered. That's why Teferi's Protection is the format's favourite board-wipe insurance: everything you control phases out, dodges the wipe, and comes back untouched.
Common confusions
“Does phasing in trigger enters abilities?”
No, and phasing out doesn't trigger leaves-the-battlefield abilities. It's the same permanent the whole time.
“My Banishing Light phased out — does their creature come back?”
No. "Until this leaves the battlefield" effects don't end when it phases out, because it never left.
“Do phased-out tokens come back?”
Yes, under the current rules: they phase in at your next untap step like anything else. (Under older rules they ceased to exist.)
“Can my creatures attack after phasing back in?”
Yes. They phase in as your untap step begins and can attack and use {T} abilities that turn.
“What else does Teferi's Protection do?”
Your life total can't change and you have protection from everything until your next turn. Creatures can still attack you (the damage is prevented), and effects that don't target you — a discard spell, for example — still work.
Popular cards that phase out
Ranked by how often Commander decks actually play them.
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