AI DraftFeb 26, 2026
Banishing Knack + Mana Vault + Valley Floodcaller
Overview
Cast Banishing Knack (a noncreature instant) while you control Valley Floodcaller to give a creature the ability “
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand.” Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability (from casting the noncreature spell) can untap Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats you control before Banishing Knack resolves, so the creature may already be untapped when it gains the new ability. The creature’s controller — not the controller of Banishing Knack — is the one who may activate the granted ability, and activation is still subject to the tap-activation restriction from summoning sickness (it can’t be activated if the creature hasn’t been under its controller’s control continuously since that player’s most recent turn began) .
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand.” Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability (from casting the noncreature spell) can untap Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats you control before Banishing Knack resolves, so the creature may already be untapped when it gains the new ability. The creature’s controller — not the controller of Banishing Knack — is the one who may activate the granted ability, and activation is still subject to the tap-activation restriction from summoning sickness (it can’t be activated if the creature hasn’t been under its controller’s control continuously since that player’s most recent turn began) .Step 1
Cast Banishing Knack (a noncreature instant). Because Valley Floodcaller gives you the ability to cast noncreature spells as though they had flash, you can cast Banishing Knack at instant speed.
Step 2
When you cast Banishing Knack, Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability triggers (it triggers “whenever you cast a noncreature spell”) and is placed on the stack above Banishing Knack.
Step 3
Let Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability resolve first; it gives Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats you control +1/+1 until end of turn and untaps them. If the creature you plan to grant the ability to is one of those types and you control it, it will be untapped now.
ability to is one of those types and you control it, it will be untapped now.Step 4
After the trigger resolves, Banishing Knack resolves. It creates a continuous effect that lasts until end of turn granting the targeted creature the activated ability “: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand.” That granted ability is an ability of the creature while it’s on the battlefield .
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand.” That granted ability is an ability of the creature while it’s on the battlefield .Step 5
The creature’s controller may activate the newly granted ability by tapping the creature (paying the cost). The target for the return effect is chosen when the activated ability is activated; Mana Vault is a legal target because it’s a nonland permanent.
cost). The target for the return effect is chosen when the activated ability is activated; Mana Vault is a legal target because it’s a nonland permanent.Step 6
Whether the controller can activate the ability is subject to the tap-activation restriction in : if the creature hasn’t been under that player’s control continuously since the start of that player’s most recent turn (e.g., it was just summoned this turn or just gained control this turn), they cannot activate its ability even if it is currently untapped.
ability is subject to the tap-activation restriction in : if the creature hasn’t been under that player’s control continuously since the start of that player’s most recent turn (e.g., it was just summoned this turn or just gained control this turn), they cannot activate its ability even if it is currently untapped.Step 7
If the ability is activated and resolves, the targeted Mana Vault is returned to its owner’s hand.
Resolution
You may cast Banishing Knack at instant speed thanks to Valley Floodcaller. Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability will trigger when you cast Banishing Knack and can untap your Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats before Banishing Knack resolves. After Banishing Knack resolves the target creature gains the activated ability; that creature’s controller may activate that ability to return Mana Vault (a nonland permanent) to its owner’s hand. The activation is subject to the tap/summoning-sickness restriction in , and the creature’s controller (not Banishing Knack’s controller) is the one who can activate the granted ability per Ruling [2008-08-01]. Valley Floodcaller’s untap does not change whether an ability is limited to sorcery timing per Ruling [2024-07-26].
activated ability; that creature’s controller may activate that ability to return Mana Vault (a nonland permanent) to its owner’s hand. The activation is subject to the tap/summoning-sickness restriction in , and the creature’s controller (not Banishing Knack’s controller) is the one who can activate the granted ability per Ruling [2008-08-01]. Valley Floodcaller’s untap does not change whether an ability is limited to sorcery timing per Ruling [2024-07-26].Feedback