Cloud of FaeriesHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Cloud of Faeries is a 1/1 flying creature with a powerful enters-the-battlefield trigger that allows you to untap up to two lands. Additionally, it features the Cycling keyword, allowing you to pay two mana and discard it from your hand to draw a new card if you don't need the creature on the board.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When Cloud of Faeries enters the battlefield, its triggered ability is put onto the stack. Note that this ability does not target any specific lands. As the ability resolves, you choose up to two lands currently on the battlefield to untap. Because the lands are not targeted, your opponent cannot respond to your choice of lands by tapping them or destroying them after you have made your selection.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is believing you can only untap lands you control. According to the official rulings, you may choose to untap any two lands on the battlefield, including those owned by an opponent. Another mistake is forgetting that the untap ability is 'up to two,' meaning you can choose zero or one land if you prefer.

When to Play It

This card is best used when you want to deploy a flying threat while maintaining mana for interaction. In a deck with lands that produce more than one mana, Cloud of Faeries can actually generate extra mana, effectively acting as a 'free' spell that nets a profit for your mana pool.

Interaction examples

Maintaining Tempo

If you have two Islands, you can tap them both to cast Cloud of Faeries. Once it enters the battlefield, you untap those same two Islands, leaving you with two mana available to cast a reactive spell during your opponent's turn.

Flying Synergy

Ornithopter of Paradise

You can use Ornithopter of Paradise to produce one mana toward the cost of Cloud of Faeries. After Cloud of Faeries enters and untaps two lands, you have successfully added a flying attacker to your board while keeping your lands ready for further plays.

Optimizing Your Turn

Foundry Inspector

While Foundry Inspector reduces the cost of artifact spells, it doesn't reduce the cost of Cloud of Faeries. However, you can use your lands to cast Foundry Inspector first, then cast Cloud of Faeries to untap those lands, effectively letting you play both creatures in the same turn with a limited mana supply.