Obviously this works with anything that specifically targets a creature such as a prodigal sorcerer but I'm less certain on other card.
For example Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor , obviously if I'm using the targeted ability it will work with cowardice - but what about the 3 mana activated ability? All creatures without flying are affected by the ability, but they are not technically targeted right? So the tap all abilty will not activate the cowardice trigger.
That's right. Targets are a choice made during the activation or casting of the ability or spell, which are directed to be made with the word 'target'.
Aboshan's last ability affects a collection of permanents determined at the time the ability resolves.
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Correct. Something only targets when it uses the specific word 'target' so in your example something like Shroud/Hexproof would not be effected by the three mana ability because it doesn't target, but the first tap a cephalic ability does work because it uses the word 'target'
So the same would hold true for temporal distortion ? Putting an hourglass counter on a card does not count as targeting and will not trigger cowardice?
So the same would hold true for temporal distortion ? Putting an hourglass counter on a card does not count as targeting and will not trigger cowardice?
Correct. Because Temporal Distortion does not use the word target it will not trigger Cowardice.
What about targeting with a spell like Rhystic Deluge? Even if they pay the one to avoid the effect they are still being targeted and thus get bounced, no?
What about targeting with a spell like Rhystic Deluge? Even if they pay the one to avoid the effect they are still being targeted and thus get bounced, no?
Correct. Rhystic Deluge's ability targets a creature, so Cowardice's ability will trigger for that creature. If a creature "becomes the target of a spell or ability", Cowardice's ability will trigger, no matter what that spell or ability would do when it resolves and even if the spell or ability says "unless [a player] pays...".
In fact, the bounce will happen before the choice is even offered, since the ability granting the choice will resolve after the Cowardice trigger, and the choice would be made when that ability resolves. Alas, when it does, it will do nothing as its only target is illegal (gone). So the controller of the permanent doesn't even get to make that choice, doesn't get to pay, even if he wanted to.
Just to check my understanding re: rules 115.10a and 115.10b
If I have a patron wizard in play as well as cowardice I can tap wizards all day long to counter spells and not have to worry about them bouncing back to my hand because they aren't subject to a targeted ability.
If I have a patron wizard in play as well as cowardice I can tap wizards all day long to counter spells and not have to worry about them bouncing back to my hand because they aren't subject to a targeted ability.
Right, the only "target" involved in "Tap an untapped Wizard you control: Counter target spell unless its controller pays 1." is "target spell", and Cowardice doesn't care about that.
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Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
Okay say I have a cowardice and a shimmering glasskite, my opponent tries to target my glasskite, does the glasskite still return to my hand or does the spell get countered first?
Okay say I have a cowardice and a shimmering glasskite, my opponent tries to target my glasskite, does the glasskite still return to my hand or does the spell get countered first?
If the spell gets countered first or not is up to you, but Glasskite still returns to your hand regardless.
When the opponent casts the spell targeting Glasskite, both Glasskite's ability and Cowardice's ability trigger. You control both, so you choose in which order they are put on the stack, so you can have Glasskite's ability resolve first. But the spell *was* cast, and Cowardice's ability is already on the stack, countering the spell doesn't remove Cowardice's ability from the stack, it still resolves later returning Glasskite to your hand.
In that case, if I choose to let cowardice's ability go first, can't the glasskite counter cowardice's ability then? And that would mean the ability/spell my opponent plays is the second ability/spell so that one can't be countered.
EDIT: nevermind that doesn't make sense cowardice keeps on triggering of course
In that case, if I choose to let cowardice's ability go first, can't the glasskite counter cowardice's ability then? And that would mean the ability/spell my opponent plays is the second ability/spell so that one can't be countered.
EDIT: nevermind that doesn't make sense cowardice keeps on triggering of course
Obviously this works with anything that specifically targets a creature such as a prodigal sorcerer but I'm less certain on other card.
For example Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor , obviously if I'm using the targeted ability it will work with cowardice - but what about the 3 mana activated ability? All creatures without flying are affected by the ability, but they are not technically targeted right? So the tap all abilty will not activate the cowardice trigger.
Is that correct?
Aboshan's last ability affects a collection of permanents determined at the time the ability resolves.
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So the same would hold true for temporal distortion ? Putting an hourglass counter on a card does not count as targeting and will not trigger cowardice?
Correct. Because Temporal Distortion does not use the word target it will not trigger Cowardice.
What about targeting with a spell like Rhystic Deluge? Even if they pay the one to avoid the effect they are still being targeted and thus get bounced, no?
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Just to check my understanding re: rules 115.10a and 115.10b
If I have a patron wizard in play as well as cowardice I can tap wizards all day long to counter spells and not have to worry about them bouncing back to my hand because they aren't subject to a targeted ability.
If the spell gets countered first or not is up to you, but Glasskite still returns to your hand regardless.
When the opponent casts the spell targeting Glasskite, both Glasskite's ability and Cowardice's ability trigger. You control both, so you choose in which order they are put on the stack, so you can have Glasskite's ability resolve first. But the spell *was* cast, and Cowardice's ability is already on the stack, countering the spell doesn't remove Cowardice's ability from the stack, it still resolves later returning Glasskite to your hand.
EDIT: nevermind that doesn't make sense cowardice keeps on triggering of course
Cowardice's ability does not target the creature.
Even if you counter the spell with Cancel, Cowardice's ability still returns the creature to hand.