Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Thermopod + Twilight Shepherd

Mikaeus, the Unhallowed

Thermopod

Twilight Shepherd

How it works

1. Activate Thermopod by sacrificing Twilight Shepherd.
2. When Twilight Shepherd dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
3. Activate Thermopod by sacrificing Twilight Shepherd.
4. When Twilight Shepherd dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
5. Repeat.

This loop is a masterclass in counter manipulation, turning Twilight Shepherd into a self-recycling engine fueled by Mikaeus, the Unhallowed and Thermopod. Because Mikaeus grants other non-Human creatures undying, Twilight Shepherd alternates between returning via persist (gaining a -1/-1 counter) and returning via undying (gaining a +1/+1 counter), which instantly cancel each other out as a state-based action. Thermopod serves as the crucial sacrifice outlet that triggers these abilities while continuously generating red mana, allowing you to repeat the process endlessly.