Note that Kozilek doesn't have flash, so it generally can't be cast in response to another spell because it isn't an instant spell.
However, if you somehow manage to cast Kozilek in response to another spell, this is how this scenario can play out:
Assume an arbitrary spell with converted mana cost 2 is on the stack.
You cast Kozilek in an unspecified manner. (Kozilek goes on the stack in the process.) Assuming you now have three cards in hand, Kozilek's first ability triggers.
If you cast Kozilek while another spell or ability was resolving, that spell or ability leaves the stack under C.R. 608.2m.
You put the Kozilek ability on the stack.
All players pass, then that ability resolves. You draw four cards, the difference between seven and three, then that ability leaves the stack.
All players pass, then Kozilek resolves. Kozilek now enters the battlefield.
Priority eventually passes to you.
Assuming a card in your hand has converted mana cost 2, you can discard it to pay for Kozilek's last ability since a spell with converted mana cost 2 is still on the stack. This is the case even if you drew that card after that spell was cast.
EDIT: Add item after comment 5 was posted.
EDIT (Dec. 2, 2020): One rule was renumbered with Commander Legends.
If I cast Kozilek, the Great Distortion, can I use one of the cards drawn via his ability to counter a counterspell?
If you mean to counter a counterspell that targets Kozilek himself, no, not if your opponent is doing things right in their own interest. The card-draw ability goes on the stack above the Kozilek spell when you cast him, and then your opponent can cast his counterspell targeting Kozilek in response to the draw trigger, and it will also resolve, countering Kozilek, before you draw cards. You still get to draw afterwards though, as the draw ability is independent from the Kozilek spell.
If for some reason your opponent lets the draw trigger resolve, and then tries to counter Kozilek, sure. EDIT : Oops, I somehow forgot that Kozilek needs to be on the battlefield for you to use his spell-countering ability, that's a bigger reason why you can't use that if that's what you meant. But if you mean casting a counterspell card that you drew, say Force of Will, sure.
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.
If you mean to counter a counterspell that targets Kozilek himself, no, not if your opponent is doing things right in their own interest. The card-draw ability goes on the stack above the Kozilek spell when you cast him, and then your opponent can cast his counterspell targeting Kozilek in response to the draw trigger, and it will also resolve, countering Kozilek, before you draw cards.
Yes, I DO mean using one of the cards drawn from casting Kozilek, the Great Distortion to counter a counterspell that targets Kozilek. So, I'm not able to "keep priority" after casting Kozilek thereby allowing me to draw the cards from his ability before my opponent has a chance to counter Kozilek?
If you mean to counter a counterspell that targets Kozilek himself, no, not if your opponent is doing things right in their own interest. The card-draw ability goes on the stack above the Kozilek spell when you cast him, and then your opponent can cast his counterspell targeting Kozilek in response to the draw trigger, and it will also resolve, countering Kozilek, before you draw cards.
Yes, I DO mean using one of the cards drawn from casting Kozilek, the Great Distortion to counter a counterspell that targets Kozilek. So, I'm not able to "keep priority" after casting Kozilek thereby allowing me to draw the cards from his ability before my opponent has a chance to counter Kozilek?
You don't draw any cards immediately after casting Kozilek, but rather only as Kozilek's first ability resolves if you have fewer than seven cards in hand (C.R. 603.2, 117.4, 608.2a). That ability, like any other triggered ability, has no effect unless and until it resolves (C.R. 608.2c, 609.1). (See also this thread.) And that ability can resolve only if all players pass in a row while that ability is on the top of the stack (C.R. 117.4). (And as a result, every other player will get priority to cast instant spells, including spells that would counter Kozilek, before that ability resolves [C.R. 117.3d, 117.1a].)
However, after that ability resolves and Kozilek hasn't left the stack before then, Kozilek will still be on the stack, and again all players must pass in a row while Kozilek is on top of the stack before Kozilek resolves (C.R. 117.4). If, during that time, a player casts a spell that targets Kozilek, say, Cancel, all players must pass in a row while that spell is on top of the stack before that spell resolves (C.R. 117.4). Even so, however, you can't activate Kozilek's last ability yet (even if you have a card with converted mana cost equal to that spell's in your hand) since Kozilek is still on the stack and that ability works only while Kozilek is on the battlefield (since it could work there and doesn't mention another zone where it works) (C.R. 113.6).
Even so, however, you can't activate Kozilek's last ability yet (even if you have a card with converted mana cost equal to that spell's in your hand) since Kozilek is still on the stack and that ability works only while Kozilek is on the battlefield (since it could work there and doesn't mention another zone where it works) (C.R. 113.6).
Sorry, I should have been more specific, what I meant to ask was whether I could cast one of the cards drawn (the actual card, not Kozilek's second ability) to counter a counterspell that targeted Kozilek, for example Not of This World or Warping Wail.
Sorry, I should have been more specific, what I meant to ask was whether I could cast one of the cards drawn (the actual card, not Kozilek's second ability) to counter a counterspell that targeted Kozilek, for example Not of This World or Warping Wail.
When you get priority, you can cast an instant spell even if it's from a card you just drew due to Kozilek's first ability (C.R. 117.1a). However, in general, you can achieve what you want (that is, cast a card drawn due to Kozilek that would counter a spell that in turn would counter Kozilek) only if Kozilek didn't leave the stack before its first ability resolved (e.g., because a Cancel, which targeted Kozilek while Kozilek and that ability were still on the stack, countered Kozilek).
When you get priority, you can cast an instant spell even if it's from a card you just drew due to Kozilek's first ability (C.R. 117.1a). However, you can achieve what you want (that is, cast a card drawn due to Kozilek that would counter a spell that in turn would counter Kozilek) only if Kozilek didn't leave the stack before its first ability resolved (e.g., because a Cancel, which targeted Kozilek while Kozilek and that ability were still on the stack, countered Kozilek).
So if I understand correctly you're saying that the card draw trigger will resolve before Kozilek himself and the cards drawn will be in hand and available to counter a spell that counters Kozilek (played as the card itself not using Kozilek's second ability because Kozilek has not as yet resolved) once he's topmost on the stack? And if my opponent waits for Kozilek to resolve and instead attempts to destroy him, then I'd also have access to Kozilek's second ability to counter the spell by using a card in my hand with the same casting cost.
When you get priority, you can cast an instant spell even if it's from a card you just drew due to Kozilek's first ability (C.R. 117.1a). However, you can achieve what you want (that is, cast a card drawn due to Kozilek that would counter a spell that in turn would counter Kozilek) only if Kozilek didn't leave the stack before its first ability resolved (e.g., because a Cancel, which targeted Kozilek while Kozilek and that ability were still on the stack, countered Kozilek).
So if I understand correctly you're saying that the card draw trigger will resolve before Kozilek himself[...]
yes.
[...] and the cards drawn will be in hand and available to counter a spell that counters Kozilek [...]
only if Kozilek has not been countered at that time already, which is what a smart opponent would usually do: counter Kozilek before you draw more cards and a possible answer. In other words, a smart opponent would respond to the trigger and not wait for Kozilek to be the top most spell on the stack. You can target objects on the stack that are not on top. (Edit: In fact, that's the case every time, since the thing doing the targeting is the top most object at that time, so it has to target something beneath it, at least initially.)
[...](played as the card itself not using Kozilek's second ability because Kozilek has not as yet resolved) once he's topmost on the stack?[...]
At that time the card draw trigger has left the stack, one way or the other, usually by resolving, so that you have those extra cards in hand, yes.
[...]And if my opponent waits for Kozilek to resolve and instead attempts to destroy him, then I'd also have access to Kozilek's second ability to counter the spell by using a card in my hand with the same casting cost.
So if I understand correctly you're saying that the card draw trigger will resolve before Kozilek himself and the cards drawn will be in hand and available to counter a spell that counters Kozilek (played as the card itself not using Kozilek's second ability because Kozilek has not as yet resolved) once he's topmost on the stack? And if my opponent waits for Kozilek to resolve and instead attempts to destroy him, then I'd also have access to Kozilek's second ability to counter the spell by using a card in my hand with the same casting cost.
Once Kozilek's first ability resolves, and Kozilek didn't already leave the stack, Kozilek will be on the top of the stack and then:
If another player casts a spell that targets Kozilek, such as Cancel, then you will eventually get priority to cast an instant spell that targets Cancel (e.g., Not of This World), regardless of that spell's converted mana cost.
If all players pass in a row while Kozilek is on top of the stack, Kozilek will resolve and enter the battlefield, then the active player gets priority. After that, if a spell is cast targeting Kozilek (e.g., Murder) and you have a card in hand with the same converted mana cost as that spell, then you can activate Kozilek's last ability targeting that spell (which involves, among other things, discarding that card or another with the same converted mana cost).
When you get priority, you can cast an instant spell even if it's from a card you just drew due to Kozilek's first ability (C.R. 117.1a). However, you can achieve what you want (that is, cast a card drawn due to Kozilek that would counter a spell that in turn would counter Kozilek) only if Kozilek didn't leave the stack before its first ability resolved (e.g., because a Cancel, which targeted Kozilek while Kozilek and that ability were still on the stack, countered Kozilek).
So if I understand correctly you're saying that the card draw trigger will resolve before Kozilek himself and the cards drawn will be in hand and available to counter a spell that counters Kozilek (played as the card itself not using Kozilek's second ability because Kozilek has not as yet resolved) once he's topmost on the stack? And if my opponent waits for Kozilek to resolve and instead attempts to destroy him, then I'd also have access to Kozilek's second ability to counter the spell by using a card in my hand with the same casting cost.
You can't have things happen the way you'd hope unless your opponent lets you. As I wrote earlier, your opponent can counter Kozilek before its cast ability makes you draw cards. After you cast Kozilek, both Kozilek and its draw trigger are on the stack, and you can't prevent the opponent from casting and resolving their counterspell before you draw the cards. At the time you draw the cards, the opponent's counterspell as well as Kozilek already are in graveyards. You holding priority is useless here, doing that can't prevent an opponent from responding to any individual spell or ability on the stack, it only allows you to put more stuff on the stack before your opponent does. They're still able to respond before any of the things you put on the stack resolve, or somewhere in between each. Nothing on the stack can resolve until 1) it's the top object on the stack 2) All players pass priority in succession to let it resolve.
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.
only if Kozilek has not been countered at that time already, which is what a smart opponent would usually do: counter Kozilek before you draw more cards and a possible answer. In other words, a smart opponent would respond to the trigger and not wait for Kozilek to be the top most spell on the stack. You can target objects on the stack that are not on top.
Ah, OK, I didn't realize this, I thought that if you wanted to counter a spell, you could only do so at the moment that spell was the topmost on the stack. When a spell that is lower down on the stack is countered, does it get removed from the stack when the counterspell resolves or does it stay on the stack (e.g. as a countered spell) and only disappear when it's topmost on the stack?
only if Kozilek has not been countered at that time already, which is what a smart opponent would usually do: counter Kozilek before you draw more cards and a possible answer. In other words, a smart opponent would respond to the trigger and not wait for Kozilek to be the top most spell on the stack. You can target objects on the stack that are not on top.
Ah, OK, I didn't realize this, I thought that if you wanted to counter a spell, you could only do so at the moment that spell was the topmost on the stack. When a spell that is lower down on the stack is countered, does it get removed from the stack when the counterspell resolves or does it stay on the stack (e.g. as a countered spell) and only disappear when it's topmost on the stack?
It's removed from the stack as soon as it's countered. The countered spell even hits its owner's graveyard before the counterspell does, as that happens only as the last part of the counterspell's resolution.
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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.
Ah, OK, I didn't realize this, I thought that if you wanted to counter a spell, you could only do so at the moment that spell was the topmost on the stack.
In general, a spell or ability that can target any "spell" (as with Counterspell, Cancel, or Redirect) doesn't care where that spell is on the stack. The same is true if the spell or ability can instead target any "spell with a single target" (as with Misdirection or Swerve) or any "instant or sorcery spell" (as with Wild Ricochet or Twincast). However, a spell or ability can't target itself (C.R. 115.5).
However, if you somehow manage to cast Kozilek in response to another spell, this is how this scenario can play out:
EDIT: Add item after comment 5 was posted.
EDIT (Dec. 2, 2020): One rule was renumbered with Commander Legends.
If for some reason your opponent lets the draw trigger resolve, and then tries to counter Kozilek, sure. EDIT : Oops, I somehow forgot that Kozilek needs to be on the battlefield for you to use his spell-countering ability, that's a bigger reason why you can't use that if that's what you meant. But if you mean casting a counterspell card that you drew, say Force of Will, sure.
However, after that ability resolves and Kozilek hasn't left the stack before then, Kozilek will still be on the stack, and again all players must pass in a row while Kozilek is on top of the stack before Kozilek resolves (C.R. 117.4). If, during that time, a player casts a spell that targets Kozilek, say, Cancel, all players must pass in a row while that spell is on top of the stack before that spell resolves (C.R. 117.4). Even so, however, you can't activate Kozilek's last ability yet (even if you have a card with converted mana cost equal to that spell's in your hand) since Kozilek is still on the stack and that ability works only while Kozilek is on the battlefield (since it could work there and doesn't mention another zone where it works) (C.R. 113.6).
EDIT: Edited after comment 13 was posted.
only if Kozilek has not been countered at that time already, which is what a smart opponent would usually do: counter Kozilek before you draw more cards and a possible answer. In other words, a smart opponent would respond to the trigger and not wait for Kozilek to be the top most spell on the stack. You can target objects on the stack that are not on top. (Edit: In fact, that's the case every time, since the thing doing the targeting is the top most object at that time, so it has to target something beneath it, at least initially.)
At that time the card draw trigger has left the stack, one way or the other, usually by resolving, so that you have those extra cards in hand, yes.
Correct.
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EDIT (Dec. 2, 2020): Correctness edit.