Hi community! This is my first time asking a question, so forgive me if I'm doing it wrong...
Artifacts that copy abilities (at least some of the time) state that mana abilities can not be copied, such as Illusionist's Bracers and Rings of Brighthearth. Lithform Engine does not have that limitation expressly stated, so I'm wondering if I would be able to target the mana ability of a card like Priest of Titania with Lithform's first ability. The Gatherer page states that Lithform's copied ability is created on the stack, so my inclination is that mana abilities can not be targeted, but I'm wondering if Lithform was designed to be an exception to specific rules otherwise stated on cards like Illusionist's Bracers.
Mana abilities can't be targeted by Lithoform Engine's first ability (C.R. 605.3b, 605.4a). More generally, no spell or ability can target a mana ability, as mana abilities don't go on the stack (C.R. 605.3b, 605.4a); this is true regardless of whether that spell or ability has reminder text stating that mana abilities can't be copied or targeted or countered (such as Stifle as printed in Scourge).
Remember that reminder text "has no game function" (C.R. 207.2, 207.2a); a card's functionality wouldn't change if all its reminder text were left out.
In the case at hand, "if it isn't a mana ability", an "intervening 'if' clause", occurs on Rings of Brighthearth and Illusionist's Bracers because their triggered abilities don't trigger when a mana ability is activated (C.R. 603.2, 603.4).
Artifacts that copy abilities (at least some of the time) state that mana abilities can not be copied, such as Illusionist's Bracers and Rings of Brighthearth. Lithform Engine does not have that limitation expressly stated, so I'm wondering if I would be able to target the mana ability of a card like Priest of Titania with Lithform's first ability.
No.
605.3b An activated mana ability doesn’t go on the stack, so it can’t be targeted, countered, or
otherwise responded to. Rather, it resolves immediately after it is activated. (See rule 405.6c.)
The intervening if clause on Illusionist's Bracers and Ring of Brighthearth isn't to keep them from copying, it's to keep those abilities from triggering at all.
603.4. A triggered ability may read “When/Whenever/At [trigger event], if [condition], [effect].” When
the trigger event occurs, the ability checks whether the stated condition is true. The ability triggers
only if it is; otherwise it does nothing. If the ability triggers, it checks the stated condition again as it
resolves. If the condition isn’t true at that time, the ability is removed from the stack and does
nothing. Note that this mirrors the check for legal targets. This rule is referred to as the “intervening
‘if’ clause” rule. (The word “if” has only its normal English meaning anywhere else in the text of a
card; this rule only applies to an “if” that immediately follows a trigger condition.)
Example: Felidar Sovereign reads, “At the beginning of your upkeep, if you have 40 or
more life, you win the game.” Its controller’s life total is checked as that player’s upkeep
begins. If that player has 39 or less life, the ability doesn’t trigger at all. If that player has
40 or more life, the ability triggers and goes on the stack. As the ability resolves, that
player’s life total is checked again. If that player has 39 or less life at this time, the ability is
removed from the stack and has no effect. If that player has 40 or more life at this time, the
ability resolves and that player wins the game.
Private Mod Note
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Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
Mana abilities don't use the stack, rather, they resolve immediately upon activation. Also, you can only target spells and abilities while they are on the stack, and as mentioned, mana abilities don't go on the stack. So, since Lithoform engine's abilities cannot be used on mana abilities already, there's no need to make them explicitly exempt.
Artifacts that copy abilities (at least some of the time) state that mana abilities can not be copied, such as Illusionist's Bracers and Rings of Brighthearth. Lithform Engine does not have that limitation expressly stated, so I'm wondering if I would be able to target the mana ability of a card like Priest of Titania with Lithform's first ability. The Gatherer page states that Lithform's copied ability is created on the stack, so my inclination is that mana abilities can not be targeted, but I'm wondering if Lithform was designed to be an exception to specific rules otherwise stated on cards like Illusionist's Bracers.
Thanks in advance!
Remember that reminder text "has no game function" (C.R. 207.2, 207.2a); a card's functionality wouldn't change if all its reminder text were left out.
In the case at hand, "if it isn't a mana ability", an "intervening 'if' clause", occurs on Rings of Brighthearth and Illusionist's Bracers because their triggered abilities don't trigger when a mana ability is activated (C.R. 603.2, 603.4).
No.
The intervening if clause on Illusionist's Bracers and Ring of Brighthearth isn't to keep them from copying, it's to keep those abilities from triggering at all.
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