It’s been a rough day for the Zombies. Although you were able to field an early board presence, your opponent’s combination of Nightshade Peddler paired with Izzet Staticaster has been mercilessly gunning down your creatures. Left with only a pair of Diregraf Ghouls, you send them in on the attack, and your opponent, as expected, taps the Staticaster to kill them. Luckily, this turn you’ve drawn a Searing Spear, and you’re all set to get rid of that pesky Staticaster once and for all…or are you?

Let’s see what happens if you Searing Spear the Staticaster in response. Your opponent’s creature will die, but its ability remains on the stack. Then, when it comes time for the Staticaster’s ghostly image to deal damage, the game will look at its appearance from the last time it was on the battlefield – still paired with the Nightshade Peddler, and still having deathtouch. 1 deathtouch damage is lethal damage, so when the Staticaster’s ability resolves, your Ghouls will go poof as well.

Alternatively, you could Searing Spear the Peddler. In this case, the pair bonding, and the deathtouch, will go away as soon as the Peddler hits the yard. When Staticaster’s ability resolves, the source of the ability (Staticaster) does NOT have deathtouch, so it will do a very-much-not-lethal 1 damage to both Ghouls, who will continue on to munch happily on your opponent’s face.

Today’s Rules Tip written by Jen Wong