His taking damage does not proc Teysa’s ability. It is possible he could survive the damage.
However, if the damage dealt is lethal, his taking damage and his death would happen instantaneously. As I am reading and trying to understand the rules, damage assigned doesn’t seem to resolve in a separate step as his going to the graveyard. So his taking the damage is him dying.
What are your thoughts?
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Your understanding of damage is wrong. Taking lethal damage does not equal dying. A creature takes damage, then statebased actions are checked, this is where triggers such as the high priest will go on the stack and creatures with lethal damage are sent to the graveyard. Then another round of statebased actions because something died, this is where Teysa would care about abilities. Now after those rousing rounds of state based actions priority passes around so your triggers can resolve.
Your first though was right the priest taking damage isn't the priest dying so Teysa doesn't care.
However, if the damage dealt is lethal, his taking damage and his death would happen instantaneously.
Death from lethal damage is not instantaneous. The creature dies after being dealt damage, when state-based actions are dealt with.
119.4. Damage is processed in a three-part sequence.
119.4a First, damage is dealt (…)
119.4b Next, damage that’s been dealt is processed into its results (…)
119.4c Finally, the damage event occurs.
119.5. Damage dealt to a creature or planeswalker doesn’t destroy it. Likewise, the source of that damage doesn’t destroy it. Rather, state-based actions may destroy a creature (…) due to the results of the damage dealt to that permanent. See rule 704.
704.3. Whenever a player would get priority (...), the game (…) performs all applicable state-based actions simultaneously (…):
(…)
704.5g If a creature has (…) total damage marked on it is greater than or equal to its toughness, that creature has been dealt lethal damage and is destroyed. (…)
His taking damage does not proc Teysa’s ability. It is possible he could survive the damage.
However, if the damage dealt is lethal, his taking damage and his death would happen instantaneously. As I am reading and trying to understand the rules, damage assigned doesn’t seem to resolve in a separate step as his going to the graveyard. So his taking the damage is him dying.
What are your thoughts?
Informal warning for failure to use card tags. Please check your PMs.
Your first though was right the priest taking damage isn't the priest dying so Teysa doesn't care.
119.4a First, damage is dealt (…)
119.4b Next, damage that’s been dealt is processed into its results (…)
119.4c Finally, the damage event occurs.
119.5. Damage dealt to a creature or planeswalker doesn’t destroy it. Likewise, the source of that damage doesn’t destroy it. Rather, state-based actions may destroy a creature (…) due to the results of the damage dealt to that permanent. See rule 704.
704.3. Whenever a player would get priority (...), the game (…) performs all applicable state-based actions simultaneously (…):
(…)
704.5g If a creature has (…) total damage marked on it is greater than or equal to its toughness, that creature has been dealt lethal damage and is destroyed. (…)
RULES OF MAGIC :
http://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/gameplay/rules-and-formats/rules