Flipping cards over is not a new thing in Magic–the morph mechanic has been around since the Onslaught block. However, turning a card face-down is very different from transforming a double-faced card. These two effects are very different and do not interact at all (in fact, it’s impossible to ever turn a double-faced card face-down). […]
What a Hidden Information Violation is.
A Hidden Information Violation is best described as looking at or for information that is normally hidden in a game–in other words, “peeking.” Two examples given in the Infraction Procedure Guide are looking at the cards that a neighbor is choosing while drafting and looking at the cards in an opponent’s deck while shuffling. Intentionally […]
Damage lasts until the turn ends, something Scourge of Geier Reach knows very well.
Damage from spells, abilities or combat damage that is not lethal will remain marked on a creature until the cleanup step at the end of each turn. Creatures can be dealt damage and remain on the battlefield until it is dealt additional damage, or until its toughness is reduced such that the damage marked on […]
You gain life when and if Maw of the Mire resolves.
When resolves, the targeted land is destroyed and the controller of Maw of the Mire will gain four life. If for any reason Maw of the Mire does not resolve, no life is gained. This can happen if some other spell or ability specifically counters Maw of the Mire, or if it becomes countered on […]
Hamlet Captain’s ability uses the stack and can be responded to.
The ability of that gives other humans +1/+1 is a triggered ability that uses the stack and can be responded to. This ability triggers when the Hamlet Captain attacks or blocks, regardless of whether or not you control other human creatures. When it resolves it will give other humans controlled by the Hamlet Captain’s controller […]
How ‘Play / Draw’ works.
Before the first game in any match, the two players in the game will use a random method to determine who chooses which player will go first. Usually this involves a coin flip or a die roll. If there is ever a dispute over randomly making this determination, call a judge. The player that wins […]
Sword of War and Peace deals damage when its trigger resolves, the creature it is equipped to does not.
When a creature equipped with deals combat damage to a player, its ability will trigger. When this triggered ability resolves, the Sword’s controller will gain life equal to the number of cards in his or her hand and the player that received combat damage will be dealt damage equal to the number of cards in […]
When Solemn Simulacrum comes and goes at virtually the same time.
First seen in Mirrodin, is an invitational card based on a designed submitted by Jens Thorén. It was recently reprinted in the Magic 2012 Core Set. It has two different triggered abilities: one that triggers when it enters the battlefield, and one that triggers when it dies. In most cases, it will enter the battlefield […]
Balefire Dragon’s ability counts damage that is actually dealt.
has an ability that triggers when it deals combat damage to a player. When the ability resolves, the Balefire Dragon itself will deal damage equal to the amount of damage it dealt to the defending player to each creature that player controls. In most cases, this is pretty simple; but as always, this can change […]