I had a issue with a specific stack order on pptq last sunday, and I hope you guys can help me know exactly what is correct.
Here is what I did:
I had 1 Catacomb Sifter, 1 Duskwatch Recruiter, and 1 Eldrazi Scion in play, and i said: "I will activate Duskwatch Recruiter ability", then i tapped 2 lands and sac eldrazi scion for mana, then i said: "I'll look 3 cards and pick a creature, then i'll make a scry". Then the guy asked the judge if that was possible. The judge told me that it was not possible since I anounced the Duskwatch Recruiter ability AND THEN paid the mana for it (including the Scion) so the Duskwatch Recruiter ability MUST go first on stack, and the Catacomb Sifter scry trigger goes second. He said that to do it the way i wanted, i had to sac the scion for mana on pool (wich would trigger Catacomb Sifter scry), and in response to that use Duskwatch Recruiter ability, so it would get resolved first.
I get what he said, i could have done that to avoid doubt, but my understanding of this situation is this: A activated ability that have mana costs, only goes on stack once you paid its mana costs. In my case involved sacing a scion for mana, and this action triggers Catacomb Sifter scry ability. So how can the scry go second on stack if it was triggered on the cost payment of Duskwatch Recruiter ability. At least both abilities activate at the same time, in that case i could choose wich one goes first.
So the mechanic question is: If you are paying mana cost to cast a spell or activate an ability that you announced, and this act of paying mana triggers another card trigger, which goes first on the stack? The new trigger or the spell or ability you announced. Or they go at the same time?
I had a issue with a specific stack order on pptq last sunday, and I hope you guys can help me know exactly what is correct.
Here is what I did:
I had 1 Catacomb Sifter, 1 Duskwatch Recruiter, and 1 Eldrazi Scion in play, and i said: "I will activate Duskwatch Recruiter ability", then i tapped 2 lands and sac eldrazi scion for mana, then i said: "I'll look 3 cards and pick a creature, then i'll make a scry". Then the guy asked the judge if that was possible. The judge told me that it was not possible since I anounced the Duskwatch Recruiter ability AND THEN paid the mana for it (including the Scion) so the Duskwatch Recruiter ability MUST go first on stack, and the Catacomb Sifter scry trigger goes second. He said that to do it the way i wanted, i had to sac the scion for mana on pool (wich would trigger Catacomb Sifter scry), and in response to that use Duskwatch Recruiter ability, so it would get resolved first.
I get what he said, i could have done that to avoid doubt, but my understanding of this situation is this: A activated ability that have mana costs, only goes on stack once you paid its mana costs. In my case involved sacing a scion for mana, and this action triggers Catacomb Sifter scry ability. So how can the scry go second on stack if it was triggered on the cost payment of Duskwatch Recruiter ability. At least both abilities activate at the same time, in that case i could choose wich one goes first.
So the mechanic question is: If you are paying mana cost to cast a spell or activate an ability that you announced, and this act of paying mana triggers another card trigger, which goes first on the stack? The new trigger or the spell or ability you announced. Or they go at the same time?