AI DraftFeb 26, 2026
Retraction Helix + Valley Floodcaller
Overview
When you cast Retraction Helix while you control Valley Floodcaller, Floodcaller’s triggered ability (from casting a noncreature spell) will trigger and resolve in relation to the Helix; the interaction untaps and gives +1/+1 to your Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats, and Retraction Helix grants the target creature the activated ability “
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand” until end of turn. You can only activate that granted ability if the creature is allowed to activate abilities with a tap symbol (i.e. it has been under your control continuously since your most recent turn began) per ; Valley Floodcaller’s untap doesn’t remove summoning sickness as explained in Ruling [2024-07-26].
: Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand” until end of turn. You can only activate that granted ability if the creature is allowed to activate abilities with a tap symbol (i.e. it has been under your control continuously since your most recent turn began) per ; Valley Floodcaller’s untap doesn’t remove summoning sickness as explained in Ruling [2024-07-26].Step 1
You cast Retraction Helix (a noncreature instant). Because you cast a noncreature spell, Valley Floodcaller’s triggered ability triggers (it triggers “Whenever you cast a noncreature spell…”).
Step 2
That trigger will be placed on the stack and will resolve in due course (players get priority and the trigger resolves before or after other things on the stack depending on order), and when the trigger resolves it untaps Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats you control and gives them +1/+1 until end of turn.
Step 3
Retraction Helix resolves (provided its target is still legal) 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
At this point the target creature has the new activated ability and is either tapped or untapped depending on whether Floodcaller’s trigger untapped it earlier (Floodcaller only untaps your Birds/Frogs/Otters/Rats).
Step 5
You may attempt to activate the granted ability, but you can only do so if the creature is allowed to activate abilities with a tap symbol — specifically, it must have been under your control continuously since your most recent turn began per ; Valley Floodcaller’s untap does not change that limitation (Ruling [2024-07-26]).
ability, but you can only do so if the creature is allowed to activate abilities with a tap symbol — specifically, it must have been under your control continuously since your most recent turn began per ; Valley Floodcaller’s untap does not change that limitation (Ruling [2024-07-26]).Step 6
If the creature meets the condition in and is untapped, you can activate the granted ability by tapping it and returning the chosen nonland permanent to its owner’s hand; if it doesn’t meet then untapping it does not let you activate the ability.
ability.Resolution
Valley Floodcaller’s untap can make a creature physically untapped before Retraction Helix gives it the ability, but you may only activate the granted ability if the creature may legally activate abilities with a tap symbol (it isn’t affected by summoning sickness) per ; Valley Floodcaller does not change that limitation (Ruling [2024-07-26]).
ability, but you may only activate the granted ability if the creature may legally activate abilities with a tap symbol (it isn’t affected by summoning sickness) per ; Valley Floodcaller does not change that limitation (Ruling [2024-07-26]).Feedback