Can Spellskite change both targets of Return to Dust to itself? RtR's text says that the caster can choose up to one OTHER target, so I'm wondering if Spellskite can force both targeting onto itself.
I think the awnser is 'no'. The reason for this would be, if I am right, that Return to Dust can not target the same thing twice, the way it is worded.
6/1/2011 By activating Spellskite's ability multiple times, you can change each target of a spell or ability with multiple instances of the word "target" to Spellskite, one at a time.
6/1/2011 If changing one target of a spell or ability to Spellskite would make other targets of that spell or ability illegal, the targets remain unchanged.
6/1/2011 If a spell or ability has a variable number of targets, you can't change the number of targets.
Had return to dust been worded differently, it would be no problem. Currently, the secind time you redirect to spellskyte (or first if spellskyte was one of the original 2 targets) the spell will not be redirected as it would be illagel to target one thing twice with return to dust.
Mind you, the way Return to dust now is worded you could cast it as an instant, chose a first target and then target spellskite with the second target, even though the second target would not do anything. This would render spellskite quite inert to interfere even at instant speed.
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I have dyslexia, no I am not going to spell check for you, yes you have to live with the horrors of it.
I think the awnser is 'no'. The reason for this would be, if I am right, that Return to Dust can not target the same thing twice, the way it is worded.
6/1/2011 By activating Spellskite's ability multiple times, you can change each target of a spell or ability with multiple instances of the word "target" to Spellskite, one at a time.
6/1/2011 If changing one target of a spell or ability to Spellskite would make other targets of that spell or ability illegal, the targets remain unchanged.
6/1/2011 If a spell or ability has a variable number of targets, you can't change the number of targets.
Had return to dust been worded differently, it would be no problem. Currently, the secind time you redirect to spellskyte (or first if spellskyte was one of the original 2 targets) the spell will not be redirected as it would be illagel to target one thing twice with return to dust.
Mind you, the way Return to dust now is worded you could cast it as an instant, chose a first target and then target spellskite with the second target, even though the second target would not do anything. This would render spellskite quite inert to interfere even at instant speed.
Just to confirm since you appeared uncertain, you are correct. Spellskite cannot have both parts of Return to Dust target it because of the word 'other' which affects each target's legality in relation to the other. Its controller can activate it targeting Return to Dust as many times as they can pay for, but it will have no effect, the targets will remain unchanged if Spellskite already is one of the targets. And you can indeed exile a single thing outside of your main phase (it's not really about "instant timing" per se, as it could be during your main phase but in response to something else and it would still work, it's really just about which phase we're in) and target Spellskite with the second targeting instruction just to prevent it from being able to change the target that's actually getting exiled.
Quote from Gatherer »
Regardless of when Return to Dust is cast, its controller may choose one target or two targets. It can always be cast even if there’s only one legal target. If it’s cast at a time other than its controller’s main phase and a second target is chosen, nothing will happen to that target.
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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Can Spellskite change both targets of Return to Dust to itself? RtR's text says that the caster can choose up to one OTHER target, so I'm wondering if Spellskite can force both targeting onto itself.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
6/1/2011 By activating Spellskite's ability multiple times, you can change each target of a spell or ability with multiple instances of the word "target" to Spellskite, one at a time.
6/1/2011 If changing one target of a spell or ability to Spellskite would make other targets of that spell or ability illegal, the targets remain unchanged.
6/1/2011 If a spell or ability has a variable number of targets, you can't change the number of targets.
Had return to dust been worded differently, it would be no problem. Currently, the secind time you redirect to spellskyte (or first if spellskyte was one of the original 2 targets) the spell will not be redirected as it would be illagel to target one thing twice with return to dust.
Mind you, the way Return to dust now is worded you could cast it as an instant, chose a first target and then target spellskite with the second target, even though the second target would not do anything. This would render spellskite quite inert to interfere even at instant speed.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs