Waiting in the WeedsHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

When Waiting in the Weeds resolves, it checks every player's board state for untapped lands with the 'Forest' subtype. Each player then creates a number of 1/1 green Cat creature tokens equal to the number of untapped Forests they currently control. Note that this counts any land with the Forest subtype, including non-basic lands, as long as they are untapped at the moment of resolution.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast the spell by paying one generic and two green mana. Upon resolution, the game counts how many untapped Forests you control and how many untapped Forests each opponent controls. Then, simultaneously, all players create the appropriate number of 1/1 green Cat creature tokens. Because the tokens are created during resolution, you cannot use the mana from those Forests to cast this spell and still have them count toward the token total.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is tapping all your Forests to pay for the spell's mana cost. Since the spell counts 'untapped' Forests upon resolution, any land you tapped to cast Waiting in the Weeds will not be counted. To maximize the effect, you should use non-Forest mana sources or mana dorks to pay the casting cost. Additionally, remember that this effect is symmetrical; if your opponent also controls untapped Forests, they will receive Cat tokens as well.

When to Play It

This card is best played in a deck with a heavy concentration of Forests, often alongside ways to put extra lands onto the battlefield. It is most effective when you have alternative ways to produce mana, such as artifacts or creatures, allowing your Forests to remain untapped. It also serves as a great recovery tool after a board wipe if you have managed to keep your land base intact.

Interaction examples

Maximizing Feline Production

Cat

If you control five Forests and two Llanowar Elves, you can tap the two Elves and one Forest to cast Waiting in the Weeds. Upon resolution, the game sees your four remaining untapped Forests, and you create four 1/1 green Cat creature tokens.

Interaction with Ramp

CultivateCat

You cast Cultivate, putting one basic Forest onto the battlefield tapped and one into your hand. On your next turn, you play the Forest from your hand. When you later cast Waiting in the Weeds, both of these Forests will count toward your total Cats as long as they remain untapped.

Non-Forest Lands

FarseekCat

You use Farseek to put a Stomping Ground (which has the Forest subtype) onto the battlefield. Even though it is a dual land, Waiting in the Weeds will count it as a Forest. If it is untapped when the sorcery resolves, it contributes one Cat creature token to your total.