Let's say Player 1 has the first 3 cards out and declares both Brago and Archon as attacking. Archon detains player 2 creatures, not allowing for any blockers and both attacking creatures do combat damage to player 2.
1. If the Archon is exiled due to Brago, then returns, are the 2 detained creatures still detained?
2. Can Player 1 exile Gift and bring it back?
3. If yes, can Gift be placed on creature exiled and returned at the same time?
4. Can player 2 cast Gather after creatures have been exiled to 'snipe' them as they return?
1. If the Archon is exiled due to Brago, then returns, are the 2 detained creatures still detained?
Yes the creatures are still detained. Once the ability has gone on the stack it is completely independant of its source. IF your opponent wants to attack with the creature they need to stifle the ability.
2. Can Player 1 exile Gift and bring it back?
Yes it is a non-land permanent so you can exile it with Brago
3. If yes, can Gift be placed on creature exiled and returned at the same time?
No, they come back at the same time and you can only enchant a creature that is already on the battlefield.
4. Can player 2 cast Gather after creatures have been exiled to 'snipe' them as they return?
Yep, as long as your opponent casts gather specimens before the triggered ability resolves they will get any creatures you bounce out with Brago.
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1. If the Archon is exiled due to Brago, then returns, are the 2 detained creatures still detained?
Yes. Activated and triggered abilities and their effects are independent from their source as soon as they are activated or triggered, unless the ability specifies otherwise like on something like Banisher Priest. The detain effect's duration is in no way linked to the Archon staying on the battlefield.
Yes, they can. When an aura enters the battlefield without being cast, and it's not specified what it should enchant, its controller chooses a legal permanent for it to enter attached to (interestingly, note that this process doesn't target).
3. If yes, can Gift be placed on creature exiled and returned at the same time?
No, it can't be attached to a creature that also got exiled by Brago, because the exiled cards all return at the same time, and the creature to enchant must be one that's already on the battlefield at the time the aura enters.
4. Can player 2 cast Gather after creatures have been exiled to 'snipe' them as they return?
Not after they've been exiled, because the exile and the return are all part of the same triggered ability resolving, and players don't get priority (the right to take new actions) in the middle of something resolving. However, Brago's ability targets, and there is no 'you may' clause. When they put the ability on the stack, they choose their targets. Then player 2 can cast Gather while the ability is on the stack, and player 1 still has to apply the ability to the targets, giving any of those that are creatures to player 2.
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.
Brago, King Eternal (Brago)
Archon of the Triumvirate (Archon)
Angelic Gift (Gift)
Gather Specimens (Gather)
Let's say Player 1 has the first 3 cards out and declares both Brago and Archon as attacking. Archon detains player 2 creatures, not allowing for any blockers and both attacking creatures do combat damage to player 2.
1. If the Archon is exiled due to Brago, then returns, are the 2 detained creatures still detained?
2. Can Player 1 exile Gift and bring it back?
3. If yes, can Gift be placed on creature exiled and returned at the same time?
4. Can player 2 cast Gather after creatures have been exiled to 'snipe' them as they return?
Yes the creatures are still detained. Once the ability has gone on the stack it is completely independant of its source. IF your opponent wants to attack with the creature they need to stifle the ability.
Yes it is a non-land permanent so you can exile it with Brago
No, they come back at the same time and you can only enchant a creature that is already on the battlefield.
Yep, as long as your opponent casts gather specimens before the triggered ability resolves they will get any creatures you bounce out with Brago.
- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
The Crafters' Rules Guru
Yes, they can. When an aura enters the battlefield without being cast, and it's not specified what it should enchant, its controller chooses a legal permanent for it to enter attached to (interestingly, note that this process doesn't target).
No, it can't be attached to a creature that also got exiled by Brago, because the exiled cards all return at the same time, and the creature to enchant must be one that's already on the battlefield at the time the aura enters.
Not after they've been exiled, because the exile and the return are all part of the same triggered ability resolving, and players don't get priority (the right to take new actions) in the middle of something resolving. However, Brago's ability targets, and there is no 'you may' clause. When they put the ability on the stack, they choose their targets. Then player 2 can cast Gather while the ability is on the stack, and player 1 still has to apply the ability to the targets, giving any of those that are creatures to player 2.
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