Vizier of Deferment was played against me in the pre-release at a crucial moment and I questioned the turn 'Blocked' on the card. This is what happened:-
At this point he pointed out that because it would be removed before the damage step I would be hit by the full 6 trample damage.
Now I understand the trample damage rules regarding blockers removed from combat. However I questioned the wording of blocked.
I know there is a big distinction in Magic regarding attack and attacking. Surely blocked is past tense and must be after combat, as I would expect the word attacked?
If not, why do we have cards like Arrows of Justice that specifically say blocking.
I have searched all over for a definite rule on this, so just for my own sanity and peace of mind could someone show me the rule that would clear this up thanks.
For the purposes of Vizier of Deferment, a creature has "blocked this turn" as soon as it was declared as a blocker at any point of the turn (so that it can be exiled if Vizier of Deferment enters the battlefield during the declare blockers step or later in the turn) (C.R. 509.1a, 509.1g; see also C.R. 509.5a), but not if it merely entered the battlefield blocking (C.R. 509.7). Here, it doesn't matter whether or not the creature is blocking at present. See also this thread.
Note also Vizier of Deferment's triggered ability can target any creature, even if it didn't attack or block this turn (C.R. 114.1d); it just that it won't do anything if that creature didn't attack or block this turn.
The difference between blocking and blocked is, that a blocking creature is considered as such only in the combat phase, after blockers are declared until the end of combat step is finished. A creature that blocked however is a creature declared as a blocker in the combat phase, but you could target it with vizier in, for example the end step, because it blocked this turn.
The play of your opponent was correct.
My opponent declared Honored Hydra as an attacker.
We both passed priority and moved to declare blockers.
I declared Oashra Cultivator as my only blocking creature.
Then when my opponent got priority he cast Vizier of Deferment targeting Oashra Cultivator.
At this point he pointed out that because it would be removed before the damage step I would be hit by the full 6 trample damage.
Now I understand the trample damage rules regarding blockers removed from combat. However I questioned the wording of blocked.
I know there is a big distinction in Magic regarding attack and attacking. Surely blocked is past tense and must be after combat, as I would expect the word attacked?
If not, why do we have cards like Arrows of Justice that specifically say blocking.
I have searched all over for a definite rule on this, so just for my own sanity and peace of mind could someone show me the rule that would clear this up thanks.
Note also Vizier of Deferment's triggered ability can target any creature, even if it didn't attack or block this turn (C.R. 114.1d); it just that it won't do anything if that creature didn't attack or block this turn.
EDIT (May 15, 2019): Edited.
The play of your opponent was correct.
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