I had a issue with a specific stack order on pptq last sunday, and I hope you guys can help me know exactly what is correct.
Here is what I did:
I had 1 Catacomb Sifter, 1 Duskwatch Recruiter, and 1 Eldrazi Scion in play, and i said: "I will activate Duskwatch Recruiter ability", then i tapped 2 lands and sac eldrazi scion for mana, then i said: "I'll look 3 cards and pick a creature, then i'll make a scry". Then the guy asked the judge if that was possible. The judge told me that it was not possible since I anounced the Duskwatch Recruiter ability AND THEN paid the mana for it (including the Scion) so the Duskwatch Recruiter ability MUST go first on stack, and the Catacomb Sifter scry trigger goes second. He said that to do it the way i wanted, i had to sac the scion for mana on pool (wich would trigger Catacomb Sifter scry), and in response to that use Duskwatch Recruiter ability, so it would get resolved first.
I get what he said, i could have done that to avoid doubt, but my understanding of this situation is this: A activated ability that have mana costs, only goes on stack once you paid its mana costs. In my case involved sacing a scion for mana, and this action triggers Catacomb Sifter scry ability. So how can the scry go second on stack if it was triggered on the cost payment of Duskwatch Recruiter ability. At least both abilities activate at the same time, in that case i could choose wich one goes first.
So the mechanic question is: If you are paying mana cost to cast a spell or activate an ability that you announced, and this act of paying mana triggers another card trigger, which goes first on the stack? The new trigger or the spell or ability you announced. Or they go at the same time?
it also happens for spells, paying mana for spells comes after putting them on the stack.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"If you knew anything about the lore you'd see that they were clearly hinting that the madness on Innistrad was caused by Uncle Istvan wearing Urza's Power Armor ... tainted with Phrexyian Oil"
Graham from Loading Ready Run
Total Costs (add all additional costs, like taxes from Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, kicker, additional sacing of creatures)
Activate Mana Abilities
Pay all Costs
So for your example, you announced duskwatch recruiter (step 1) so it is placed on the stack. You activate mana abilities on step 6, which is where you would sacrifice the scion and trigger catacomb sifter, which is placed on top of the stack.
As the judge you talked to mentioned, to get your desired outcome, you can sac the scion before declaring that you want to activate the recruiter to get the scry effect on the stack first and then respond with the recruiter ability.
I had a issue with a specific stack order on pptq last sunday, and I hope you guys can help me know exactly what is correct.
Here is what I did:
I had 1 Catacomb Sifter, 1 Duskwatch Recruiter, and 1 Eldrazi Scion in play, and i said: "I will activate Duskwatch Recruiter ability", then i tapped 2 lands and sac eldrazi scion for mana, then i said: "I'll look 3 cards and pick a creature, then i'll make a scry". Then the guy asked the judge if that was possible. The judge told me that it was not possible since I anounced the Duskwatch Recruiter ability AND THEN paid the mana for it (including the Scion) so the Duskwatch Recruiter ability MUST go first on stack, and the Catacomb Sifter scry trigger goes second. He said that to do it the way i wanted, i had to sac the scion for mana on pool (wich would trigger Catacomb Sifter scry), and in response to that use Duskwatch Recruiter ability, so it would get resolved first.
I get what he said, i could have done that to avoid doubt, but my understanding of this situation is this: A activated ability that have mana costs, only goes on stack once you paid its mana costs. In my case involved sacing a scion for mana, and this action triggers Catacomb Sifter scry ability. So how can the scry go second on stack if it was triggered on the cost payment of Duskwatch Recruiter ability. At least both abilities activate at the same time, in that case i could choose wich one goes first.
So the mechanic question is: If you are paying mana cost to cast a spell or activate an ability that you announced, and this act of paying mana triggers another card trigger, which goes first on the stack? The new trigger or the spell or ability you announced. Or they go at the same time?
Graham from Loading Ready Run
As the judge you talked to mentioned, to get your desired outcome, you can sac the scion before declaring that you want to activate the recruiter to get the scry effect on the stack first and then respond with the recruiter ability.