Hi everyone, and welcome back. Today (and over the next few weeks), we’re going to be looking at a popular topic of discussion: triggered abilities. There’s been a lot of confusion over the last few months about when we consider a trigger to be missed. Myself and everyone will be discussing these types of triggers and when we should consider them to be missed.

We’ll start with the easy ones: a targeted trigger (or a trigger with modes, like Deceiver Exarch). Targets are chosen when the trigger is put on the stack. So we consider the trigger missed fairly quickly, since you need to acknowledge the trigger by choosing the targets or choices for that trigger before you pass priority to the opponent.

For example, if you cast a spell targeting an Arena Athlete, you need to acknowledge the Athlete’s trigger before you pass priority to the opponent. If you pass priority to your opponent and you haven’t chosen a target for the ability, then we consider this trigger to be missed. While it’s a brief window, you’re probably casting the spell targeting the Athlete for its trigger anyways, so hopefully its hard for you to miss.

The only exception for this is in a two-player game where the target is “target opponent.” Since there is only only possible target, that target is assumed, and you just have to acknowledge the trigger on resolution. **However, be aware that “target player” is NOT the same thing, even if it’s a trigger you would 100% of the time prefer to target an opponent!**

Today’s Tournament Tip written by Nathan Long