Ashiok sees that your adversary is a fire mage. Ashiok scoffs at such unfocused displays of power. Yet Ashiok is wary… particularly of the long hand of Keranos, who commands the lightning.
Quick, Planeswalker! If you wish to retain Ashiok’s loyalty, allow Ashiok to exile the top three cards of your opponent’s library immediately! In doing so, Ashiok will become more loyal to your foolish cause, denying your enemy the opportunity to reduce Ashiok’s loyalty to zero with a well-timed Lightning Strike. Causing Ashiok to gain loyalty is a “cost” of the ability, not an effect, and thus will happen before your opponent has priority to cast her potentially deadly spell.
What? You’re attacking with your puny Soldier token instead!? You arrogant little wizard! You should have listened to Ashiok! You had priority after Ashiok entered, so you should have used it to add loyalty. Now the opponent has the chance to get rid of Ashiok by dealing 3 damage while they have priority!
Today’s Rules Tip written by Paul Baranay