AI DraftFeb 26, 2026
Grim Monolith + Retraction Helix + Valley Floodcaller
Overview
Valley Floodcaller lets you cast Retraction Helix at instant speed and will trigger when you cast it; that trigger can untap eligible creatures before Helix resolves, so Helix can grant the tapped-cost ability (“
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand”) to a creature that is already untapped and legally allowed to activate a tap ability. You can then tap that creature to return Grim Monolith to your hand and recast/tap Monolith for mana — provided the creature can legally activate a ability (it isn’t affected by summoning sickness) . Note: Valley’s ability doesn’t change timing restrictions for abilities that can only be activated any time you could cast a sorcery (Ruling [2024-07-26]).
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand”) to a creature that is already untapped and legally allowed to activate a tap ability. You can then tap that creature to return Grim Monolith to your hand and recast/tap Monolith for mana — provided the creature can legally activate a ability (it isn’t affected by summoning sickness) . Note: Valley’s ability doesn’t change timing restrictions for abilities that can only be activated any time you could cast a sorcery (Ruling [2024-07-26]).Step 1
Have Valley Floodcaller and a creature that Retraction Helix can target on the battlefield, and Grim Monolith on the battlefield (it may be tapped).
Step 2
Cast Retraction Helix (a noncreature instant). Because of Valley Floodcaller’s ability you may cast that noncreature spell as though it had flash; when you cast the spell Valley’s triggered ability triggers (it triggers on casting a noncreature spell).
Step 3
The triggered ability from Valley goes on the stack above Retraction Helix, so it will resolve first and untap any Birds, Frogs, Otters, and Rats you control (and give them +1/+1 until end of turn). That untap can make the targeted creature untapped before Helix resolves.
Step 4
Retraction Helix 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 5
If the creature is untapped and otherwise allowed to activate a ability (it isn’t summoning-sick) you may activate that granted ability by tapping the creature to return Grim Monolith to your hand .
ability (it isn’t summoning-sick) you may activate that granted ability by tapping the creature to return Grim Monolith to your hand .Step 6
After Monolith is returned to your hand, you may pay its casting cost to cast it again; it enters the battlefield untapped (Monolith’s static text only stops it from untapping during your untap step) and you may immediately tap it for 
.
.Step 7
You can use the mana generated by Grim Monolith for whatever legal purpose (including recasting Retraction Helix again if you have the required colored mana), remembering that the Helix-granted ability lasts only until end of turn.
Resolution
You may cast Retraction Helix as though it had flash thanks to Valley Floodcaller; Valley’s triggered untap resolves before Helix does, so an eligible creature can be untapped in time to receive Helix’s granted “: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand” ability and then tap to return Grim Monolith, after which you can recast and tap Grim Monolith — assuming the creature is legally allowed to activate a tap-cost ability (summoning sickness prevents that) and Valley doesn’t alter timing restrictions (Ruling [2024-07-26]).
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand” ability and then tap to return Grim Monolith, after which you can recast and tap Grim Monolith — assuming the creature is legally allowed to activate a tap-cost ability (summoning sickness prevents that) and Valley doesn’t alter timing restrictions (Ruling [2024-07-26]).Feedback