Selvala, Explorer ReturnedHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Selvala features the Parley keyword, which triggers an effect based on the top cards of all players' libraries. When you activate her ability, every player reveals their top card. You gain one green mana and one life for every nonland card revealed this way, then everyone draws the card they just showed.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you tap Selvala to activate the ability. Since this is not a mana ability, it goes on the stack and players can respond. Once it begins to resolve, everyone reveals their top card simultaneously. You count the nonland cards, add the corresponding mana to your pool, and increase your life total. Finally, every player puts that revealed card into their hand as part of the draw effect.

Common Mistakes

The most important rule change to remember is that Selvala's ability is no longer a mana ability. You cannot activate it while in the middle of casting a spell to pay its costs; you must have the mana in your pool beforehand. Additionally, because it uses the stack, your opponents can use effects to change the top card of their library in response to the activation.

When to Play It

Selvala is best used when you want to accelerate your mana while maintaining a healthy life total. It is also a potent political tool in multiplayer games, as it provides card draw to your opponents, potentially buying you favor while fueling your own larger plays.

Interaction examples

Managing Your Library Top

Sakura-Tribe Elder

If you know the top card of your library is a land, you can sacrifice Sakura-Tribe Elder to search for a land and shuffle your library before activating Selvala. This gives you a fresh chance to reveal a nonland card to ensure you receive the mana and life gain from the Parley ability.

Timing Your Draw

Solemn Simulacrum

If your Solemn Simulacrum dies, you can choose the order of your effects. You can activate Selvala, Explorer Returned first to draw the current top card of your library, and then use the Simulacrum's death trigger to draw the next card, maximizing your card advantage in a single turn cycle.