Yotian CourierHow it works & interactions with other cards

Choosing Your Mode

When Yotian Courier attacks, its triggered ability goes on the stack, requiring you to choose one of two modes. The crucial restriction is that you cannot choose the same mode you selected during your last combat phase. If you created a Powerstone last turn, you must seek a card this turn, and vice versa. If this is the first time the Courier is attacking, or if it didn't attack during your last combat, both options are available.

Seeking and Powerstones

The second mode uses the 'Seek' mechanic, which automatically pulls a nonland card from your library into your hand based on the number of Powerstones you control. Because the check happens as the ability resolves, any Powerstones created by other effects earlier in the turn will count toward this total. Remember that Powerstones enter the battlefield tapped and their mana has specific restrictions, typically used for casting artifact spells or activating abilities.

Strategic Timing

Because Yotian Courier has Flying, it is often safe to send into combat to trigger its ability even against grounded opponents. To optimize the 'Seek' mode, try to accumulate Powerstones through other sources before attacking. If you control zero Powerstones and choose the second mode, you will seek a nonland card with mana value 0, such as an artifact creature with no mana cost.

Interaction examples

Establishing a Mana Base

Ornithopter of Paradise

On turn three, you attack with Yotian Courier and choose the first mode to create a tapped Powerstone. On turn four, you cast Ornithopter of Paradise using your land and the now-untapped Powerstone. When you attack with the Courier again, you are forced to choose the second mode, seeking a nonland card with mana value 1 from your library because you control exactly one Powerstone.

Treasure and Combat Synergy

Professional Face-Breaker

If you attack with both Yotian Courier and Professional Face-Breaker, the Courier's ability triggers upon declaration of attackers. You choose to create a Powerstone. Later in the same combat, if the Courier deals damage, Professional Face-Breaker creates a Treasure token. During your next turn's combat, you must choose the 'Seek' mode, and if you still control that Powerstone, you will fetch a 1-mana value card regardless of how many Treasures you have, as the ability specifically counts Powerstones.