To activate an activated ability, the first action is to put the ability on the stack, and the last action is to pay its activation cost (there may be intermediate steps such as choosing targets, that don't matter here).
So, first you have Pontiff's ability on the stack, then you sacrifice Nevinyrral and pay 1 mana as its cost. This triggers Nevinyrral's ability, which also goes on the stack - and as the Pontiff's ability is already there, Nevinyrral's ability can only be put above it. Therefore, Nevinnyral's ability will be the first to resolve, when the Pontiff isn't indestructible yet.
When you want to cast a spell, the first thing you do is to put it on the stack, and the last is to pay its total casting cost (there are intermediate steps in some cases, like choosing targets, but they don't apply here). So Harrow is already on the stack by the time you sacrifice the land, so Korvold's trigger is put on the stack above Harrow. Being on the top of the stack, it resolves first.
I know a single block of text is a single ability and can't be responded part way through.
This isn't true for keyword abilities. Multiple keywords in a single line are still multiple separated abilities, not a single one.
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Each instance of Cascade is a separated object on the stack. When one resolves and casts a card that also has Cascade, this new instance of Cascade goes on the stack above the 8 CMC spell and the remaining original Apex Devastatpr cascades.
Yes, you can play MDFC cards as lands from your graveyard with Crucible of Worlds, and from the top of your library with Courser of Kruphix.
Those saying you otherwise may be reading too much into the second's ability wording, arguing they are not "land cards" while still on top before being played; however, the ability's current Oracle text reads: "You may play lands from the top of your library.", so this is not an issue.
Thank you. Now while we're on the topic: If I mutate Dirge Bat onto a non-black creature, I presume I can then destroy a creature with protection from black?
Assuming you don't put Dirge Bat on top when mutating, yes, you can.
Otherwise, the term exquisite applied to a person or a group of people doesn't make sense to me, although that might be because English isn't my first language. Exquisite things like food or artwork, I could understand. Exquisit displays, like a dance move or a take-down during combat, for instance, I also understand. Pretty everything other than people I wouldn't have a problem with referring to as exquisite.
(Note: I'm not a native speaker either.)
It appears to be a more uncommon, maybe even old-fashioned, use of the word, but valid. It fits some of the naming conventions for Lorwyn elves, such as the already mentioned Imperious Perfect which can also sound a bit unusual.
Leveler's ability triggers immediately as Leveler enters the battlefield. You get to put the ability on the stack before receiving priority to cast a spell or activate an ability in response.
Even if you give Leveler away in response, its ability is still on the stack under your control, so you still has to exile your library when it resolves even if you don't control Leveler anymore.
(As an aside, Zedruu's activated ability isn't a mana ability. Mana abilities are those that add mana).
If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs, such as evoke costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Tormenting Voice, those must be paid to cast the card.
(2018-07-13)
If you cast a spell “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Tormenting Voice, those must be paid to cast the card.
(2018-07-13)
Rest in Peace is a replacement effect. With RIP out, Rancor never goes to the graveyard, it goes to exile instead.
Rancor's ability is triggered. It needs Rancor to actually be put into the graveyard to trigger. As Rancor goes to exile rather than the graveyard, the ability never triggers. Rancor stays in exile.
Dromoka's Command - if you choose the second mode (targeting an opponent) and the third (targetinf Zada), it won't be copied because it's not a spell that "targets only Zada".
If you choose the third mode (targeting Zada) and the fourth (also targeting Zada), then the Command will be copied for each of your other creatures. Each copy also has the third and fourth modes selected, both targeting the same creature.
Answering the generic question, if you cast a modal spell choosing one mode that targets only Zada and one or more modes without targets, Zada's ability will copy the modal spell. Each copy will have the same modes selected, with the targeted mode targeting one of your other creatures. It will also work with multiple targeted modes if all of them target Zada.
Two examples:
Dromoka's Command - if you choose the second mode (targeting an opponent) and the third (targeting Zada), it won't be copied because it's not a spell that "targets only Zada". If you choose the third mode (targeting Zada) and the fourth (also targeting Zada), then the Command will be copied for each of your other creatures. Each copy also has the third and fourth modes selected, both targeting the same creature. (incorrect information crossed out)
Verdant Confluence - if you choose the first mode once and the third mode twice, with the first mode targeting Zada, then Zada's ability will copy it for each of your other creatures. Each copy also has the first mode once and the third mode twice, with the first mode targeting that other creature. So each creatures gets one counter and you get a total of basic lands equal to twice the number of creatures you control.
You can also choose the first mode twice (targeting Zada both times) and the third mode once, for two counters on each creature and a number of basic lands equal to the number of creatures.
A creature with Protection from Blue cannot be the target of Mind Over Matter's ability.
The debate is: The creature has protection from blue but is mind over matter directly influencing that card like a twiddle would? Or is it giving the player the ability to tap or untap permanent by discarding a card and thus mind over matter isn't directly targeting?
That's not something the rules care about. There's no debate about "who is actually doing the tapping, the card or the player". The rules don't go there.
Mind Over Matter is blue.
Mind Over Matter is the source of the activated ability.
Mind Over Matter's ability requires a target.
A permanent with protection from blue can't be chosen as the target of an ability from a blue source.
702.16b. A permanent or player with protection can't be targeted by spells with the stated quality and can't be targeted by abilities from a source with the stated quality.
113.7. The source of an ability is the object that generated it. The source of an activated ability on the stack is the object whose ability was activated. The source of a triggered ability (other than a delayed triggered ability) on the stack, or one that has triggered and is waiting to be put on the stack, is the object whose ability triggered. To determine the source of a delayed triggered ability, see rules 603.7d-f.
109.1. An object is an ability on the stack, a card, a copy of a card, a token, a spell, a permanent, or an emblem.
The M19 planeswalkers are Ajani, Tezzeret, Liliana, Sarkhan and Vivien. Of those, Tezzeret and Liliana are aligned with Bolas, while Sarkhan and Vivien have reasons to oppose him, so my guess is Ajani is recruiting them.
Yes, this is a valid play.
You receive priority after your opponent declares blockers, and Aura Swap can be activated at instant speed.
To activate an activated ability, the first action is to put the ability on the stack, and the last action is to pay its activation cost (there may be intermediate steps such as choosing targets, that don't matter here).
So, first you have Pontiff's ability on the stack, then you sacrifice Nevinyrral and pay 1 mana as its cost. This triggers Nevinyrral's ability, which also goes on the stack - and as the Pontiff's ability is already there, Nevinyrral's ability can only be put above it. Therefore, Nevinnyral's ability will be the first to resolve, when the Pontiff isn't indestructible yet.
When you want to cast a spell, the first thing you do is to put it on the stack, and the last is to pay its total casting cost (there are intermediate steps in some cases, like choosing targets, but they don't apply here). So Harrow is already on the stack by the time you sacrifice the land, so Korvold's trigger is put on the stack above Harrow. Being on the top of the stack, it resolves first.
This isn't true for keyword abilities. Multiple keywords in a single line are still multiple separated abilities, not a single one.
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Each instance of Cascade is a separated object on the stack. When one resolves and casts a card that also has Cascade, this new instance of Cascade goes on the stack above the 8 CMC spell and the remaining original Apex Devastatpr cascades.
Only for planeswalkers.
Juri, Master of the Revue and Taborax, Hope's Demise also use "it".
Those saying you otherwise may be reading too much into the second's ability wording, arguing they are not "land cards" while still on top before being played; however, the ability's current Oracle text reads: "You may play lands from the top of your library.", so this is not an issue.
Assuming you don't put Dirge Bat on top when mutating, yes, you can.
Elvish Promenade's flavor text list them. Hence cards such as Immaculate Magistrate, Imperious Perfect.
(Note: I'm not a native speaker either.)
It appears to be a more uncommon, maybe even old-fashioned, use of the word, but valid. It fits some of the naming conventions for Lorwyn elves, such as the already mentioned Imperious Perfect which can also sound a bit unusual.
Merriam-Webster has the following entry:
1c: ACCOMPLISHED, PERFECTED
an exquisite gentleman
Even if you give Leveler away in response, its ability is still on the stack under your control, so you still has to exile your library when it resolves even if you don't control Leveler anymore.
(As an aside, Zedruu's activated ability isn't a mana ability. Mana abilities are those that add mana).
Overload is an alternative cost. When you cast a spell "without paying its mana cost", you can't cast it for an alternative cost.
Ruling from Augury:
If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs, such as evoke costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Tormenting Voice, those must be paid to cast the card.
(2018-07-13)
Ruling from the Djinn:
If you cast a spell “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Tormenting Voice, those must be paid to cast the card.
(2018-07-13)
Sterling Grove's online art has been printed once, as a judge promo, so it's not it.
Rancor's ability is triggered. It needs Rancor to actually be put into the graveyard to trigger. As Rancor goes to exile rather than the graveyard, the ability never triggers. Rancor stays in exile.
Oops.
Two examples:
Dromoka's Command - if you choose the second mode (targeting an opponent) and the third (targeting Zada), it won't be copied because it's not a spell that "targets only Zada".
If you choose the third mode (targeting Zada) and the fourth (also targeting Zada), then the Command will be copied for each of your other creatures. Each copy also has the third and fourth modes selected, both targeting the same creature.(incorrect information crossed out)Verdant Confluence - if you choose the first mode once and the third mode twice, with the first mode targeting Zada, then Zada's ability will copy it for each of your other creatures. Each copy also has the first mode once and the third mode twice, with the first mode targeting that other creature. So each creatures gets one counter and you get a total of basic lands equal to twice the number of creatures you control.
You can also choose the first mode twice (targeting Zada both times) and the third mode once, for two counters on each creature and a number of basic lands equal to the number of creatures.
That's not something the rules care about. There's no debate about "who is actually doing the tapping, the card or the player". The rules don't go there.
Mind Over Matter is blue.
Mind Over Matter is the source of the activated ability.
Mind Over Matter's ability requires a target.
A permanent with protection from blue can't be chosen as the target of an ability from a blue source.
702.16b. A permanent or player with protection can't be targeted by spells with the stated quality and can't be targeted by abilities from a source with the stated quality.
113.7. The source of an ability is the object that generated it. The source of an activated ability on the stack is the object whose ability was activated. The source of a triggered ability (other than a delayed triggered ability) on the stack, or one that has triggered and is waiting to be put on the stack, is the object whose ability triggered. To determine the source of a delayed triggered ability, see rules 603.7d-f.
109.1. An object is an ability on the stack, a card, a copy of a card, a token, a spell, a permanent, or an emblem.