Dark DepthsHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Dark Depths enters the battlefield with ten ice counters. It features an activated ability that allows you to pay three mana to remove one counter at a time. Unlike most lands, it does not have a mana ability, meaning it cannot be tapped for mana unless another effect grants it that ability. The real power lies in its state-triggered ability, which activates the moment the final ice counter is removed.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, the last ice counter must be removed, either through its own activated ability or other card effects. Once the land has zero counters, its triggered ability is put onto the stack. When this ability resolves, you must sacrifice Dark Depths as part of the resolution. If the land is successfully sacrificed, you then create the Marit Lage token. Because this is a state trigger, if the ability is countered but the land remains on the field with no counters, the ability will trigger again immediately.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming you get the Marit Lage token even if Dark Depths is destroyed in response to the trigger. The ability uses an 'if you do' clause, meaning the sacrifice must actually happen for the token to appear. If an opponent uses a spell to destroy the land while the 'sacrifice it' trigger is on the stack, you cannot sacrifice it during resolution, and no token is created. Additionally, remember that this land does not tap for mana, so playing it early can slow down your mana development.

When to Play It

Dark Depths is best utilized in decks that can quickly remove counters or cheat the land into play without counters. Since it is a legendary snow land, it can be searched for with specific land-tutors. It is most effective when you have a surplus of mana to sink into the counter-removal or when you can protect the land until the final counter is removed to ensure the 20/20 Avatar reaches the battlefield.

Interaction examples

The Awakening of Marit Lage

Dark DepthsMarit Lage

You have Dark Depths on the battlefield with one ice counter remaining. You pay three mana to activate its ability, removing the final counter. The state trigger goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you sacrifice Dark Depths and create the legendary 20/20 black Avatar creature token named Marit Lage, which has flying and indestructible.

Tapping for Mana

Dark DepthsCommand Tower

While Command Tower can tap for mana based on your commander's colors, Dark Depths provides no mana on its own. If you have both on the field, you can use the mana produced by Command Tower to pay for the activated ability of Dark Depths to remove an ice counter.

Opponent Interaction

Dark DepthsExotic Orchard

If your opponent controls Dark Depths and you control Exotic Orchard, your Orchard cannot produce mana from Dark Depths. This is because Dark Depths does not have any abilities that produce mana, and Exotic Orchard only checks for colors that lands your opponents control 'could produce'.