This breaks my heart

Yeah it really does, though.....


Can I tap Lotus Vale for mana before I sacrifice the two lands?

No. You must deal with a card's coming-into-play cost before you may activate any of its abilities.


All it means is that they are following intended functionality, which never did hold too much water.


Here is hoping that one day the vales will be the one shot lotuses that they are.

For now though, they will be very expensive and "you better darn well know what you are doing" lands.