Orcish Squatters AvatarHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Orcish Squatters Avatar features a triggered ability that occurs exactly once per turn during your first main phase. It targets a specific opponent and checks how many lands they currently control. You then receive one colorless mana {C} for each of those lands, effectively mirroring their land count in your mana pool for that phase.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, as you enter your first main phase, the ability triggers and goes on the stack; you must choose a target opponent at this time. Second, players have a chance to respond with instants or abilities. Third, as the ability resolves, it counts the number of lands the target opponent controls. Finally, the corresponding amount of {C} is added to your mana pool. Note that this mana will disappear if not spent before you move to your combat phase.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that this mana is added during the first main phase, not the upkeep. If you have an effect that triggers at the beginning of the upkeep, you cannot use Orcish Squatters Avatar mana to pay for it. Additionally, because the ability targets, it can be fizzled if the opponent gains Hexproof before resolution, or it may provide zero mana if the opponent loses all their lands in response to the trigger.

When to Play It

This Vanguard is most effective in formats where opponents are likely to have a high land count early, such as against green ramp decks. It allows you to cast expensive spells much earlier than usually possible, essentially doubling your mana output if you and your opponent have a similar number of lands.

Interaction examples

Establishing a Mana Lead

Command Tower

If your opponent controls a Command Tower and two other lands when your first main phase begins, Orcish Squatters Avatar triggers. Upon resolution, you add {C}{C}{C} to your mana pool. You can then play your own Command Tower and have four mana available to spend on your first main phase.

Explosive Artifact Starts

Sol Ring

Suppose your opponent has four lands. At the start of your first main phase, Orcish Squatters Avatar adds {C}{C}{C}{C} to your pool. You can spend {1} of that mana to cast Sol Ring. After Sol Ring resolves, you still have {C}{C}{C} left from the Avatar and can tap Sol Ring for an additional {C}{C}, giving you a total of five mana to spend on further spells.