Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance gives a red mana base a choice between an untapped land and an instant-speed pair of creatures. Played normally, it taps for red mana. Its channel ability instead lets you discard it for two 1/1 Spirit tokens with haste, with the generic activation cost reduced for each legendary creature you control.
Legend-heavy decks can make the channel mode much cheaper, while token strategies appreciate a creature source that occupies a land slot. Purphoros, God of the Forge and Impact Tremors turn the two entering Spirits into damage triggers. Sacrifice decks can use the bodies as material, and an Equipment deck may appreciate additional carriers after its main attacker has been removed.
Channel is an activated ability rather than a spell, so ordinary counterspells that target spells do not stop it. Effects that counter activated abilities can still interact with it. The ability can be used during another player's turn, providing surprise blockers or letting you create creatures near the end of a turn before untapping.
The tokens gain haste only until the end of the turn in which they are created, which is most relevant when channeling before combat on your own turn. Decide whether the land drop or the two bodies are more useful before discarding it. Sokenzan is strongest when your deck can use both modes naturally and the legendary discount is a benefit rather than a requirement for the card to function.





