AI DraftFeb 26, 2026
Banishing Knack + Valley Floodcaller
Overview
When you cast Banishing Knack while you control Valley Floodcaller, Floodcaller’s triggered ability triggers when you cast the noncreature spell and will be put on the stack (see ). That trigger (the +1/+1 and untap) will resolve in the normal stack order relative to the spell. When Banishing Knack resolves it grants the target creature an activated ability until end of turn, but the controller of the targeted creature — not the controller of Banishing Knack — is the player who may activate that granted 
ability (Ruling [2008-08-01]). Whether that controller can activate the granted ability immediately is governed by the summoning-sickness restriction: a -cost ability can’t be activated unless the creature has been under that controller’s control continuously since the start of that player’s most recent turn (see and ).
ability (Ruling [2008-08-01]). Whether that controller can activate the granted ability immediately is governed by the summoning-sickness restriction: a -cost ability can’t be activated unless the creature has been under that controller’s control continuously since the start of that player’s most recent turn (see and ).Step 1
You cast Banishing Knack (a noncreature instant). When you cast it, abilities that trigger “when you cast a noncreature spell” trigger; Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability triggers and is put on the stack (see ).
Step 2
Players receive priority and the stack resolves top-down. Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability (the +1/+1 and untap) will typically resolve before Banishing Knack resolves if players pass priority, so the relevant creatures become untapped and get +1/+1 until end of turn.
Step 3
Eventually Banishing Knack resolves and grants the targeted creature the activated ability “: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand” until end of turn.
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand” until end of turn.Step 4
The player who controls the creature is the player who may activate that newly granted ability (Ruling [2008-08-01]).
ability (Ruling [2008-08-01]).Step 5
That controller may attempt to activate the ability only if the activation is legal. Because the ability’s activation cost includes , the creature must have been under that controller’s control continuously since that controller’s most recent turn began for the activation to be legal (see and ).
, the creature must have been under that controller’s control continuously since that controller’s most recent turn began for the activation to be legal (see and ).Step 6
Untapping the creature (from Floodcaller’s effect) does not remove the summoning-sickness restriction; simply being untapped does not satisfy the continuous-control requirement in .
Resolution
Sequence and permissions: Casting Banishing Knack (a noncreature spell) causes Valley Floodcaller’s trigger to trigger at the time the spell is cast and that triggered ability is put on the stack (see ). The trigger will typically resolve before the spell if players pass priority, untapping (and buffing) your Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats. When Banishing Knack later resolves it grants the target creature the ability “: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand.” The controller of the creature is the player who may activate that new ability (Ruling [2008-08-01]). However, even if the creature is untapped by Floodcaller, the summoning-sickness rule prevents activation of -cost abilities unless the creature has been under that controller’s control continuously since that player’s most recent turn began (see and ). Valley Floodcaller’s second ability does not change activation timing restrictions that say “only any time you could cast a sorcery” (Ruling [2024-07-26]), but that is not relevant to Banishing Knack because Banishing Knack grants a -cost activated ability rather than an ability with a sorcery-like timing restriction.
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand.” The controller of the creature is the player who may activate that new ability (Ruling [2008-08-01]). However, even if the creature is untapped by Floodcaller, the summoning-sickness rule prevents activation of -cost abilities unless the creature has been under that controller’s control continuously since that player’s most recent turn began (see and ). Valley Floodcaller’s second ability does not change activation timing restrictions that say “only any time you could cast a sorcery” (Ruling [2024-07-26]), but that is not relevant to Banishing Knack because Banishing Knack grants a -cost activated ability rather than an ability with a sorcery-like timing restriction.Feedback