Xolatoyac, Tidebound Smiler

Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood is a patient value engine for decks that want steady resource conversion and battlefield tempo. The enter the battlefield or attack trigger places flood counters on lands and turns them into Islands while the counters remain. That change is subtle but significant. It lets you shore up your mana base for blue spells, lock opponents out of colors when coordinated, and create repeatable interactions with permanents that care about Islands or counters.

The second ability rewards careful timing. At the beginning of your end step you untap every permanent you control that has a counter on it. That pairs well with creatures and artifacts that accumulate counters or with ways to move counters between permanents. In Commander play Xolatoyac doubles as a control piece and a ramp conduit. The extended art emphasizes scale and motion, which fits its role as a slow rolling tide that reshapes the battlefield over several turns.

Card Details:

• Mana Cost {4}{U}{G}
• Card Type Legendary Creature
• Subtypes Salamander Serpent
• Card Text / Rules Text (Printed) Whenever Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood enters the battlefield or attacks, put a flood counter on target land. That land is an Island in addition to its other types for as long as it has a flood counter on it. At the beginning of your end step, untap each permanent you control with a counter on it.
• Power / Toughness 6/6