Rites of FlourishingHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Double Dose of Resources

This enchantment provides two distinct continuous effects that apply to every player. First, it modifies how many lands a player can play during their turn, increasing the limit from one to two. Second, it features a triggered ability that triggers at the start of every player's draw step. Because these effects apply to all players, the person whose turn it is will always be the first to utilize the extra land and the extra card draw.

Step-by-Step Resolution

The draw step sequence is specific. First, the active player draws their normal card for the turn as a turn-based action. This does not use the stack. Immediately after that, Rites of Flourishing triggers and its ability is put onto the stack. Players can respond to this trigger with instants or activated abilities. Once the trigger resolves, the active player draws their additional card. Later, during either of their main phases, that player can play up to two lands, provided they have the priority and the stack is empty.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that the extra draw is a triggered ability, not a replacement for the normal draw. If Rites of Flourishing is destroyed during the upkeep, no one gets the extra card. Furthermore, playing an additional land is an optional 'may' ability for the extra land, but the draw is mandatory. If you have multiple effects allowing additional lands, they are cumulative, meaning you could potentially play three or more lands if other cards support it.

When to Cast It

Timing is everything with symmetrical effects. Since the active player benefits first, casting this during your post-combat main phase allows you to play a second land immediately, but your opponents will be the next to draw two cards and play two lands. It is most effective in decks that can utilize the extra mana faster than opponents or in Group Hug strategies where the goal is to accelerate the entire table's progression.

Interaction examples

Maximizing the Draw Step

Sylvan Library

During your draw step, you first draw your card for the turn. Then, both Sylvan Library and Rites of Flourishing trigger. You can choose the order. If you resolve Sylvan Library first, you draw two more cards and must choose to pay life or put two cards drawn this turn back. Then, Rites of Flourishing resolves, giving you one more card. Because you drew that final card after the Library's effect finished, you don't have to worry about paying life for it or putting it back!

Ramping into Threats

Garruk's Uprising

With Rites of Flourishing on the field, you play two Forest cards during your main phase. This gives you the mana to cast a large creature. When that creature enters, Garruk's Uprising triggers, letting you draw a card. Rites of Flourishing ensured you had the land drops necessary to trigger your other enchantments sooner than normally possible.