Stupid question: can we runed halo our bitterblossom not to lose life? it says "you" but not sure if that counts as target. I have no doubts about the "losing life" vs "damage", just about the target.
I don't think that counts as targeting, but just wanted to double check. I am no judge.
You can choose the name Bitterblossom with Runed Halo, but Bitterblossom's ability doesn't target anything (the word "you" doesn't indicate a target, for example [C.R. 114.10b]), so any effect that keeps you from being the target of certain spells or abilities, such as that from protection (C.R. 702.16b), won't affect Bitterblossom's ability.
A triggered ability targets something only if it identifies it with the word "target" (C.R. 114.1d), or uses a keyword that does so (C.R. 114.1e; see also C.R. 114.10a; under C.R. 701.34a, the support keyword action also uses "target [something]").
EDIT (Nov. 30, 2018): Edited to conform to rule changes with Dominaria.
EDIT (Mar. 10, 2019): Further edited to conform to rule changes with Dominaria.
If people are sick of reading about stuff just stop taking part. You have 100% control over what you read. Simic Ascendancy isn't going to get banned just because you didn't tell someone to shut up on the internet.
I don't think that counts as targeting, but just wanted to double check. I am no judge.
BW BW Tokens
RG Dredgeplendid Reclamation
RW Boros Burn
GB Elves
RB Dark Goblins
WU Azorius' Relic
A triggered ability targets something only if it identifies it with the word "target" (C.R. 114.1d), or uses a keyword that does so (C.R. 114.1e; see also C.R. 114.10a; under C.R. 701.34a, the support keyword action also uses "target [something]").
EDIT (Nov. 30, 2018): Edited to conform to rule changes with Dominaria.
EDIT (Mar. 10, 2019): Further edited to conform to rule changes with Dominaria.
This is not the point. A card like "target player loses three life" would be stopped by runed halo, for instance.
@peteroupc thanks for clarifying that part!
BW BW Tokens
RG Dredgeplendid Reclamation
RW Boros Burn
GB Elves
RB Dark Goblins
WU Azorius' Relic