The Battlefield

Basalt Monolith

$4.03

Zirda, the Dawnwaker

$2.06

AI DraftFeb 26, 2026

Basalt Monolith + Zirda, the Dawnwaker

Overview

With Zirda, the Dawnwaker on the battlefield under your control, Basalt Monolith’s {3}

: “Untap this artifact.” activated ability is not a mana ability, so Zirda reduces its activation cost by {2}

, to

(but not below one). You can then repeatedly tap Basalt Monolith for {C}

and pay

to untap it, netting +2 colorless mana each loop; this is the standard way these two cards produce an unbounded mana loop. Abilities of permanents function on the battlefield .

Step 1

Ensure Zirda, the Dawnwaker is on the battlefield under your control so her static ability reduces costs of activated abilities that aren't mana abilities by {2}

(to no less than one).

Step 2

With Basalt Monolith untapped, activate its {T}

: Add

. (That is a mana ability; Zirda’s reduction does not apply to mana abilities.)

Step 3

Basalt Monolith becomes tapped and adds {C}

to your mana pool.

Step 4

Activate Basalt Monolith’s {3}

: Untap this artifact. Zirda reduces this to {1}

(because it’s an activated ability that isn’t a mana ability and Zirda can’t reduce it below {1}

). Pay

to untap Basalt Monolith.

Step 5

Repeat steps: tap for {C}

, pay

to untap. Each full cycle nets you 2 colorless mana ( {3}

from tapping minus {1}

to untap = +2).

Resolution

Zirda makes Basalt Monolith’s untap ability cost {1}

(not less than one). You may tap Monolith for {C}

and then pay {1}

to untap it repeatedly, producing +2 colorless mana per cycle; this is a repeatable loop (see WotC ruling) [2020-08-07] and permanent abilities function while on the battlefield .

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