In most games the order that things resolve on the stack is easy to figure out and intuitive. In most cases only one or two items are on the stack at a time, and in some the end result of what happens can be quickly and intuitively derived.

But sometimes it is best to go slow, think it out and perhaps call a judge over to figure out exactly what will happen as a stack resolves. Here is an example of a complex situation, but not one that is terribly unusual. A Precursor Golem is in play with its two 3/3 golem tokens that are put into play by its triggered ability. One of these golems is targeted by Grim Affliction. At first glance, it seems like all three of these golems will end up with three -1/-1 counters on them and go to the graveyard.

However, it is important to go slow, look at the situation and resolve each of these spells and abilities one at a time. After the Grim Affliction is played, Precursor Golem’s triggered ability will put two additional copies of Grim Affliction on the stack. When the first of these copies resolves, one of the golems will get a -1/-1 counter and then the controller of the Grim Reflections can choose to proliferate. This will cause this first golem to gain another -1/-1 counter.

When the second copy of Grim Reflection resolves, this second golem will gain a -1/-1 counter and then when the proliferate effect is applied each of these two golems with counters will gain another. At this point the first one will now have three -1/-1 counters on it, and it will go to the graveyard.

Finally, the original Grim Affliction will resolves and put a -1/-1 counter on the originally targeted golem. when this spell proliferates it will receive a second -1/-1 counter, the other golem in play will receive a third and it too will go to the graveyard.

In the end, the golem that was originally targeted will end up surviving and in play with two -1/-1 counters on it. As mentioned above it seems somewhat unintuitive that the creature that was targeted by this black spell will be the one that ends up surviving. This demonstrates why knowledge of the stack is important in figuring out what the game state is, and in making decisions regarding how to play.

The example from today’s Rules Tip was provided by George FitzGerald, a level 1 judge from Sarasota, Florida, United States.