Category: State-Based Actions
Copies, Effects, One-Shot Effects, Resolving spells and abilities, State-Based Actions, Type & Subtypes, Zones
Copying Double-Faced Cards
Tournament Tuesday: Kalitas and Anointed Procession
EDIT: With the release of Ixalan, the rules regarding this interaction have changed. As of that set’s release, effects like Anointed Procession will also apply if a replacement effect (such as Kalitas’ effect) is creating tokens, no matter why. Even if Kalitas’ ability is replacing a state-based action rather than the effect of a spell or […]
Abilities, Continuous Effects, Effects, Resolving spells and abilities, State-Based Actions, Static Abilities, Tournament Rules
Tournament Tuesday: The Rules vs. Can’t Lose Effects
Welcome back to the Rules Blog! Today we’ll be going over something that’s occasionally misunderstood: effects that prevent you from losing the game. The ur-example of this is good old , but there’s been others- most recently, the emblem from . So long as you have that Emblem, and a Planeswalker with the “Gideon” subtype, […]
All About Exquisite Archangel
Today we’ll be talking about , a creature with a rather unusual ability; it doesn’t do anything until you’re about to lose the game! Of course, the effect is a powerful one indeed, which replaces losing with going back to your starting life total, one which essentially undoes all your opponent’s hard work if they […]
Hangarback Manifesto (a manifested Walker is not very good)
Turning a manifested Hangarback Walker face up doesn't put counters on it (you can't even pay mana for X), so it will generally die immediately after it turns face up, before you even get a chance to activate its ability.
Indestructible, Damage, and Bile Blight
Indestructible is a neat little ability. It does exactly what you’d expect- it means that the permanent in question simply can’t be destroyed, whether that be via lethal damage or a “destroy” effect like or . It does NOT protect against other forms of removal or death, though: exile, the Legend Rule, the Planeswalker Uniqueness […]
Ensoul Artifact – Learn All About It!
Making a 5/5 flyer or 5/5 indestructible creature on turn two brightens my soul. Both options are possible with . works by setting the base power and toughness of any artifact to 5/5 and, if it isn’t already, makes it a creature. The best part about this transformation is that it does not affect the […]
Wall of Essence and Multiple Attackers
Today’s Rules Tip begins with a scenario: You’re at 5 life. Your opponent is attacking you with an and a . You have a lone on your side ready to die for your protection. You block the Hivelord. Damage from the Tormentor goes through and the Wall’s ability triggers- Are you dead? If you guessed […]