Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Salamander Serpent
Power 6
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates significant card advantage and can turn the tide in resource-intense matches.
  2. The ability to cast at instant speed adds unexpected strategic plays and maintains mana flexibility.
  3. While powerful, it requires careful play due to its specific mana and card discard costs.

Text of card

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.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Playing Xolatoyac the Smiling Flood can generate significant card advantage by refilling your hand, thus ensuring a steady flow of options throughout the match. This can often be the deciding factor in prolonged games where resources are crucial.

Resource Acceleration: Xolatoyac’s ability to potentially ramp up your mana base can be a game-changer, giving you early access to high-impact spells and overwhelming your opponent before they can effectively respond.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Xolatoyac the Smiling Flood at instant speed offers strategic depth, allowing you to adapt to the board state and surprise adversaries unexpectedly. It also fits seamlessly into turns where keeping mana available for other responses is vital.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Xolatoyac the Smiling Flood demands a card to be discarded upon casting. This can be problematic during tight gameplay, requiring players to diminish their hand, potentially losing key cards.

Specific Mana Cost: The cost of summoning Xolatoyac is colored mana intensive, necessitating a precise combination of mana types. This may not align well with multicolored decks that could struggle to produce the exact mana needed efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Xolatoyac may be overshadowed by other options since it possesses a significant mana cost. In fast-paced matches, utilizing cards with lower costs could lead to a more steady and strategic buildup of your board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Xolatoyac the Smiling Flood is known for its adaptability in multiple deck archetypes. Its ability to manipulate both land and spell casting can seamlessly integrate into control or ramp strategies, enhancing land-based synergies.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique abilities pair well with strategies that capitalize on land drops and spells that benefit from casting multiple spells in a turn. It can work as a combo engine in the right deck, unlocking powerful plays.

Meta-Relevance: In an evolving metagame punctuated by decks that emphasize land interaction, Xolatoyac the Smiling Flood can be a critical addition. Its potential to swing games through strategic land plays makes it a noteworthy contender against other prevalent deck types.


How to beat

Xolatoyac the Smiling Flood stands as an imposing force on the battlefield, presenting a unique challenge in MTG matchups. This card distinguishes itself not just by its ability to potentially disrupt an opponent’s strategy but also through granting card advantage and life gain. To effectively counter this menace, players need an acute understanding of their own deck’s strengths and the use of strategic removal spells or abilities that can neutralize Xolatoyac before its abilities can turn the tide.

Timing is crucial when dealing with such a versatile opponent. Employing instant-speed interaction allows players to circumvent the card’s impact, especially before it can start generating value. Furthermore, having access to exile effects can prove invaluable, ensuring that Xolatoyac doesn’t return from the graveyard, which can sometimes be the case with regular destruction methods. Additionally, graveyard hate cards can prevent it from making a comeback and disrupting your gameplay.

Mastering the art of deck building and utilizing sideboard tech specifically tailored to combat heavy hitters like Xolatoyac the Smiling Flood are essential steps. An efficient response hinges on readiness, so fine-tuning one’s deck to include such responses is a must for any player seeking dominance in their MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the ebb and flow of MTG gameplay is an art, and Xolatoyac the Smiling Flood is a card that truly embodies the strategic depth of the game. With its ability to return creatures and replenish your hand, it’s no surprise that it has garnered attention. Dive deeper into our compendium of insights and strategies where we explore the potential of this formidable card further. Enhancing your deck with Xolatoyac can give you the upper hand, and we’re here to guide you through optimizing its impact. Learn more about refining your gameplay and ensuring each match showcases your skills to the fullest with BurnMana.



Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Campbell White.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 342015NormalBlackCampbell White
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 82015NormalBlackCampbell White

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-11-10 The land retains any land types and abilities it already had. An Island has the ability ": Add ."
2023-11-10 The land stays an Island until the flood counter is removed, even if Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood leaves the battlefield.