It's a common strategy nowadays for Nykthos players to float extra mana when using Polukranos, so that if the opponent responds to the Monstrosity ability with a removal spell they can just use the ability again. However, wouldn't it make more sense to let the Monstrosity ability resolve and then respond to the Monstrous trigger? Am I missing something in the rules that makes this line of play invalid? I see players do the "float extra mana" thing all the time so it seems like common knowledge that it works, but I can't see how that helps against someone who responds to the Monstrous trigger and then casts say a Valorous stance. Reusing the Monstrosity seems like it would do nothing if Polukranos is already monstrous.
Here's why : if you respond to the damage-dealing trigger, the damage is still dealt, because the trigger is independent from Polukranos, and unlike an actual fight (the keyword action), the damage doesn't need Polukranos to still be there to happen. So people who want to kill Polukranos to prevent its damage-dealing ability respond to the monstrosity activated ability rather than the damage-dealing trigger, because to trigger at all, the trigger needs Polukranos to stay on the battlefield and become monstrous. Keeping the mana to activate monstrosity another time plays around that.
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.
W may only be paid with white mana. U may only be paid with blue mana. B may only be paid with black mana. R may only be paid with red mana. G may only be paid with green mana. C may only be paid with colorless mana. 1 may be paid with white, blue, black, red, green, or clolorless mana.
I see, that clarifies things. I didn't realize that the damage from Polukranos worked differently from other "Fight" mechanics.
There is a specific ruling associated with the fight mechanic that causes creatures not to deal damage.
701.10b If a creature instructed to fight is no longer on the battlefield or is no longer a creature, no damage is dealt. If a creature is an illegal target for a resolving spell or ability that instructs it to fight, no damage is dealt.
Additionally, If a spell that says "target creature deals x damage", if the "target" is removed, it doesn't deal any damage. This has to do with that creature being an illegal target. This comes up with cards like Flesh // Blood
What is mechanically the difference between floating the mana for a second trigger and simply tapping land for the needed mana for a second trigger should the opponent use removal?
What is mechanically the difference between floating the mana for a second trigger and simply tapping land for the needed mana for a second trigger should the opponent use removal?
The idea of floating was only brought up because of Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, which can produce a huge amount on a single activation. Otherwise there's no advantage to floating mana from multiple sources instead of keeping them untapped.
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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.
What is mechanically the difference between floating the mana for a second trigger and simply tapping land for the needed mana for a second trigger should the opponent use removal?
The idea of floating was only brought up because of Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, which can produce a huge amount on a single activation. Otherwise there's no advantage to floating mana from multiple sources instead of keeping them untapped.
Thanks. I was worried everything I knew was wrong and cats were laying with dogs.
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There is a specific ruling associated with the fight mechanic that causes creatures not to deal damage.
Additionally, If a spell that says "target creature deals x damage", if the "target" is removed, it doesn't deal any damage. This has to do with that creature being an illegal target. This comes up with cards like Flesh // Blood
Thanks. I was worried everything I knew was wrong and cats were laying with dogs.