If a triggered ability does not contain the word "may", do the official rules require that the ability go on the stack, even if it means backing the game up a phase or two because no one noticed until then?
Example:
I have a Reckless Fireweaver in play. During my second main phase, I play an artifact but forget about the Reckless Fireweaver's ability. During my opponent's upkeep/draw phase, I suddenly remember the Fireweaver's ability should have triggered. At that point, is it too late, or are we supposed to put the trigger on the stack? Does the fact that the ability does not contain the word "may" make a difference? I assume if the triggered ability contained the word "may" and you forget to trigger it at the proper time, you definitely wouldn't/shouldn't be allowed to go back and trigger it?
Related Question:
At FNMs, how strict/lenient are you supposed to be with enforcement of rules like this? How much slack are you supposed to give/get regarding remembering triggers late? If I or my opponent have already started our untap phase, is it too late for us to say "Oh wait, before the end of your last turn, I wanted to do X"
No. We never back up for a missed trigger. At regular REL (like FNM or prerelease), the responding judge will decide if it would be too disruptive to put on the stack now or not. The more that's happened, the less likely that trigger will go on the stack. At competitive REL (like a PPTQ or a GP), once we confirm the trigger is missed, the opponent will decide if the trigger is put on the stack or not.
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DCI Level 2 Judge
Scientists have calculated that the chance of anything so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated that million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.
They are treated the same in Competitive REL, and that has been the case for some time now. But they're not treated the same in Regular REL. Missed triggers at Regular are covered by this part of the Judging at Regular document :
A player forgets a triggered ability (one that uses the words “when,” “whenever,” or “at the beginning”, usually at the start of the ability's text)
These abilities are considered missed if the player did not acknowledge the ability in any way at the point that it required choices or had a visible in-game effect. If the ability includes the word “may,” assume the player chose not to perform it. Otherwise, use your judgement to decide if putting the trigger on the stack now would be too disruptive - don’t add it to the stack if significant decisions have been made based on the effect not happening! Unlike other illegal actions (which must be pointed out), players may choose whether or not to point out their opponent's missed triggers, though we should encourage them to do so.
Emphasis mine.
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I'm a former judge (lapsed), who keeps up to date on rules and policy. Keep in mind that judges' answers aren't necessarily more valid than those of people who aren't judges; what matters is we can quote the rules to back up our answers. When in doubt, ask for such quotes.
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Example:
I have a Reckless Fireweaver in play. During my second main phase, I play an artifact but forget about the Reckless Fireweaver's ability. During my opponent's upkeep/draw phase, I suddenly remember the Fireweaver's ability should have triggered. At that point, is it too late, or are we supposed to put the trigger on the stack? Does the fact that the ability does not contain the word "may" make a difference? I assume if the triggered ability contained the word "may" and you forget to trigger it at the proper time, you definitely wouldn't/shouldn't be allowed to go back and trigger it?
Related Question:
At FNMs, how strict/lenient are you supposed to be with enforcement of rules like this? How much slack are you supposed to give/get regarding remembering triggers late? If I or my opponent have already started our untap phase, is it too late for us to say "Oh wait, before the end of your last turn, I wanted to do X"
Scientists have calculated that the chance of anything so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated that million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.
Emphasis mine.