AI DraftFeb 26, 2026
Mana Vault + Retraction Helix + Valley Floodcaller
Overview
You can tap Mana Vault for 
, cast Retraction Helix (a noncreature spell) targeting one of your creatures, and Valley Floodcaller will trigger from casting that noncreature spell and untap your Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats. After Helix resolves it grants the targeted creature the activated ability "
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand." Because Floodcaller untapped the creature when its triggered ability resolved, you can immediately activate that new tap ability (provided the creature isn't affected by summoning sickness) to return Mana Vault to your hand and then recast it if you have the mana. The summoning-sickness restriction for tap abilities is in . Valley Floodcaller’s flash/effect on casting noncreature spells does not override sorcery-speed-only activation restrictions; see Ruling [2024-07-26].
, cast Retraction Helix (a noncreature spell) targeting one of your creatures, and Valley Floodcaller will trigger from casting that noncreature spell and untap your Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats. After Helix resolves it grants the targeted creature the activated ability ": Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand." Because Floodcaller untapped the creature when its triggered ability resolved, you can immediately activate that new tap ability (provided the creature isn't affected by summoning sickness) to return Mana Vault to your hand and then recast it if you have the mana. The summoning-sickness restriction for tap abilities is in . Valley Floodcaller’s flash/effect on casting noncreature spells does not override sorcery-speed-only activation restrictions; see Ruling [2024-07-26].Step 1
Tap Mana Vault for using its activated ability (: Add ).
using its activated ability (: Add ).Step 2
Cast Retraction Helix, paying its cost (
). When you cast this noncreature spell, Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability "Whenever you cast a noncreature spell" triggers; that trigger will be put on the stack and will resolve before the Helix spell resolves.
). When you cast this noncreature spell, Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability "Whenever you cast a noncreature spell" triggers; that trigger will be put on the stack and will resolve before the Helix spell resolves.Step 3
When the Floodcaller trigger resolves it gives your Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats +1/+1 until end of turn and untaps them. If the creature you targeted with Helix is one of those types, it will be untapped by this trigger.
Step 4
Allow Retraction Helix to resolve; it grants the targeted creature the 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 satisfies the tap-activation timing restriction in , activate the newly granted ability by tapping the creature to target and return Mana Vault to its owner's hand.
Step 6
With Mana Vault in hand you may cast it again (it enters untapped) if you have the mana available after paying all costs and the stack is otherwise empty or you have priority to do so.
Resolution
Yes — the standard sequence is: tap Mana Vault for ; cast Retraction Helix (a noncreature spell) targeting a creature you control; Valley Floodcaller's triggered ability (from casting a noncreature spell) will untap eligible creatures when it resolves; Helix then resolves and grants the target creature ": Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand;" you may then activate that new tap ability to return Mana Vault to your hand. Activating the granted ability requires the creature to meet the tap-activation timing restriction in . Valley Floodcaller doesn’t let you bypass any sorcery-speed-only activation restrictions (Ruling [2024-07-26]).
; cast Retraction Helix (a noncreature spell) targeting a creature you control; Valley Floodcaller's triggered ability (from casting a noncreature spell) will untap eligible creatures when it resolves; Helix then resolves and grants the target creature ": Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand;" you may then activate that new tap ability to return Mana Vault to your hand. Activating the granted ability requires the creature to meet the tap-activation timing restriction in . Valley Floodcaller doesn’t let you bypass any sorcery-speed-only activation restrictions (Ruling [2024-07-26]).Feedback