Dal R'El, Augment OrphanHow it works & interactions with other cards

Fueling the Engine

The primary strength of Dal R'El, Augment Orphan lies in its Landfall ability. Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, the ability triggers and goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you choose to add either one Red {R} or one Green {G} mana to your mana pool. This mana can be used immediately to cast more spells or saved for Dal R'El's activated ability.

Trading Ground for Knowledge

When your hand is empty but your board is full of lands, Dal R'El offers a way out. By paying three mana and sacrificing a land, you can draw a card. This is an activated ability that can be used at any time you have priority, including on an opponent's turn. Note that the land sacrifice is a cost; if the ability is countered, the land remains in the graveyard.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, play a land or use an effect to put a land onto the battlefield. The Landfall trigger is placed on the stack. You then choose the color of mana as the trigger resolves. If you use that mana to activate the draw ability, you must pay the three mana first, then choose a land to sacrifice as part of the cost. Finally, the ability resolves and you draw one card.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that the mana generated by Landfall is lost as phases and steps end. If you trigger Landfall during your first main phase, you cannot use that mana in your second main phase unless you have an effect that prevents mana from emptying. Also, remember that Dal R'El can sacrifice itself if it somehow becomes a land, but usually, you will be targeting your Basic Lands.

Interaction examples

Automated Mana Production

Solemn Simulacrum

You cast Solemn Simulacrum. When it enters, you search for a basic land and put it onto the battlefield. This triggers Dal R'El's Landfall. You add {R} or {G}, effectively reducing the net cost of the Golem while setting up your mana base.

Recursive Value

Sakura-Tribe Elder

You sacrifice Sakura-Tribe Elder to find a land. When that land enters tapped, Dal R'El triggers, giving you {R} or {G}. You can use this mana, plus two more, to activate Dal R'El's second ability, sacrificing the land you just fetched to draw a card if you need to dig for answers.