I am currently playing a Modern Hardened Scales deck. At one FNM, I had an interaction that I wanted to verify the ruling for.
1.) I had Llanowar Reborn in play with a +1/+1 counter on it and The Ozolith with no counters.
2.) I then cast an Arcbound Ravager and it resolved.
3.) When Ravager entered the battlefield, I chose to Graft onto it.
4.) My Opponent then cast Fatal Push in response to the Graft trigger.
5.) After the creature dies my opponent claimed that the counters on Llanowar Reborn are removed because there is no valid target.
Is that correct or does the land keep the counters?
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-MadMage
It keeps the counter. The graft trigger doesn't target.You are simply offered the choice to move the counter or not onto the entering creature when the trigger resolves. And with the creature gone, you can't chose the move option anymore, so the counter stays.
702.57a Graft represents both a static ability and a triggered ability. “Graft N” means “This permanent enters the battlefield with N +1/+1 counters on it” and “Whenever another creature enters the battlefield, if this permanent has a +1/+1 counter on it, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this permanent onto that creature.”
Notice the lack of the word "target", which is the one and only thing that makes a spell/ability targeted.
Also note, that your step 3) cannot happen at that time as that choice is made upon resolution, not at the time of triggering. You are proposing a shortcut here, which your opponent rejected by responding.
Rule 122.5.: If an effect says to “move” a counter, it means to remove that counter from the object it’s currently on and put it onto a second object. If either of these actions isn’t possible, [then] no counter is removed from or put onto anything. (...)
1.) I had Llanowar Reborn in play with a +1/+1 counter on it and The Ozolith with no counters.
2.) I then cast an Arcbound Ravager and it resolved.
3.) When Ravager entered the battlefield, I chose to Graft onto it.
4.) My Opponent then cast Fatal Push in response to the Graft trigger.
5.) After the creature dies my opponent claimed that the counters on Llanowar Reborn are removed because there is no valid target.
Is that correct or does the land keep the counters?
Using card tags is mandatory in the Magic Rulings forum. Please check your private messages to learn how to use them. I've added them for this post.
-MadMage
Notice the lack of the word "target", which is the one and only thing that makes a spell/ability targeted.
Also note, that your step 3) cannot happen at that time as that choice is made upon resolution, not at the time of triggering. You are proposing a shortcut here, which your opponent rejected by responding.
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