Hello all. I just finished putting together an artifact deck that uses Goblin Welder, Dross Scorpion, and Liquimetal Coating to create endless cycling combos, But have come across a unique scenario. I will try to make the situation as clear as possible below...
My question is regarding how "simultaneous" abilities trigger and resolve.
For example. If I had the dross scorpion in the graveyard and some other artifact creature in play (doesnt matter which), then use the welder to switch those, would the dross scorpion's untap ability trigger?
The wording of the goblin welder specifically states to simultaneously sacrifice one and return the other to play, so the question is, does that mean that the Dross Scorpion is technically in play when the other creature is sacrificed?
I am on the fence because I can see valid support for both sides, but I am admittedly not an expert on the comprehensive rules.
Thank you to anyone that can provide some insight here.
Leaves-the-battlefield triggers, like the Scorpion's, trigger based on the game state prior to the event (this is an exception to how triggers normally work, being checked based on the game state after the event!). This means, that for the game to trigger the Scorpion's ability, the Scorpion has to have been on the battlefield before the event. Which it wasn't, so therefore it doesn't trigger.
edit:
603.10 Normally, objects that exist immediately after an event are checked to see if the event matched any trigger conditions, and continuous effects that exist at that time are used to determine what the trigger conditions are and what the objects involved in the event look like. However, some triggered abilities are exceptions to this rule; the game “looks back in time” to determine if those abilities trigger, using the existence of those abilities and the appearance of objects immediately prior to the event. The list of exceptions is as follows:
603.10a Some zone-change triggers look back in time. These are leaves-the-battlefield abilities, abilities that trigger when a card leaves a graveyard, and abilities that trigger when an object that all players can see is put into a hand or library.
Example: Two creatures are on the battlefield along with an artifact that has the ability “Whenever a creature dies, you gain 1 life.” Someone casts a spell that destroys all artifacts, creatures, and enchantments. The artifact’s ability triggers twice, even though the artifact goes to its owner’s graveyard at the same time as the creatures.
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My question is regarding how "simultaneous" abilities trigger and resolve.
For example. If I had the dross scorpion in the graveyard and some other artifact creature in play (doesnt matter which), then use the welder to switch those, would the dross scorpion's untap ability trigger?
The wording of the goblin welder specifically states to simultaneously sacrifice one and return the other to play, so the question is, does that mean that the Dross Scorpion is technically in play when the other creature is sacrificed?
I am on the fence because I can see valid support for both sides, but I am admittedly not an expert on the comprehensive rules.
Thank you to anyone that can provide some insight here.
edit:
Former Rules Advisor
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