I was uncertain if the suspend, cycling, retrace, scavenge, flashback and unearth mechanics (and other similar ones that are clearly not triggers) are considered activated abilities in regards to Suppression Field. If someone could clarify this for me, it would be appreciated.
I should also ask about cards like Faerie Macabre, Gravecrawler and Simian Spirit Guide in these terms. I'm fairly certain that SSG would be considered a mana ability, so would be unaffected by Suppression Field in particular.
Activated abilities always use the format [COST]:[EFFECT]. Look for the colon.
Triggered abilities begin with 'When', 'Whenever' or 'At'.
Everything else is a static ability.
Cycling, Scavenge and Unearth are the only activated abilities in that list.
Faerie Macabre is the only one with an activated non-mana ability, you are correct that SSG has an activated mana ability.
Did he hurt any one? Did he touch anyone? Did he make Todd sign the cards under duress? Did he steal the cards used? Who cares what his motive was if no one was hurt by it. In the end all he did was rip up some cards in front of some people. It is not that big of a deal.
The player performed an action specifically designed to antagonize someone.
This is not acceptable behavior at StarCityGames events, in response our staff discussed the situation with the player and informed him that any further incidents would likely result in him no longer being welcome at our events.
People bring up that detail as though It's notable or something.
If he did it to someone who wasn't a SCG employee, than would that be okay?
No.
Any situation that impacts the enjoyment of players at our tournaments is taken very seriously. If someone is creating an environment that is making you uncomfortable please bring it to the attention of a tournament official (Judge or any of the Staff on stage).
We want all players to enjoy being at our events and will address such situations as soon as they are brought to our attention.
Also, as a long-time judge in this area, I know the reputation of many of the regular players. I know from experience with this player that this is consistent with how he operates in getting decks at the last minute. So, as it happens, the answer is that yes--it is quite believable that this happened exactly as presented.
Yeah, he played an illegal deck and is buddies with the Head Judge. That totally trumps every Magic strategy article ever written.
Being familiar with the habits of a local player and using that information while performing an investigation IS NOT the same as letting someone cheat because they are your friend. Frankly I find it VERY offensive to even suggest that, especially if you don't even know the parties involved.
Seriously, without video evidence or a statement to the effect of "I am a cheaty cheatyface", what would someone have to do to get DQ'd for cheating?
Might I suggest actually cheat, which is obviously not what happened here. The HJ stated that he investigated and found it reasonable that the player could have made the mistakes he made unintentionally.
Is "he's been caught with an illegal deck before" be a good enough reason?
It's not a bad one, ultimately its at the discretion of the judge. Be aware that doing that every round to every opponent is not likely to be tolerated.
I know when I'm sideboarding that I look through my deck. Maybe doing it once I wouldn't notice six copies of a card but five times (at a minimum) defies belief!
It really doesn't. I think you overestimate the attention to detail and perceptiveness of an average magic player, especially one who isn't sitting in his armchair judging people over the internet.
Assuming the wrong deck story is true, do you also believe that your friend failed to notice the additional archdruids in his deck while sideboarding every round?
Are you really that naive?
Do you really think players count every card in their deck while sideboarding? I know I only pay attention to the cards I am planning to remove as I flip through.
@Valarin the amount of incorrect information in your post is mind boggling. Please check your facts and try again.
Damage does not reduce toughness, so after the newt's trigger (assuming no witch is around) you end up with a 1/1 ooze with 1 damage marked. This would destroy a creature normally due to state-based actions but the ooze is indestructible so nothing happens.
By the time your opponent can respond you've already paid for thoughtcast as paying for the spell is the final step in casting it. Destroying an artifact will not retroactively increase the cost.
Make sure you are going off Oracle text. Thrumming Stone says 'Cast'.
This was an errata made during the M10 rules change to clarify this exact issue. Playing a spell is synonymous with casting. Putting something into play (onto the battlefield) is not.
He would gain the 2 life from the lifelink ability but none of the triggered abilities would get the chance to resolve.
Many Walls have been errata'd to have the Defender ability.
Activated abilities always use the format [COST]:[EFFECT]. Look for the colon.
Triggered abilities begin with 'When', 'Whenever' or 'At'.
Everything else is a static ability.
Cycling, Scavenge and Unearth are the only activated abilities in that list.
Faerie Macabre is the only one with an activated non-mana ability, you are correct that SSG has an activated mana ability.
The player performed an action specifically designed to antagonize someone.
This is not acceptable behavior at StarCityGames events, in response our staff discussed the situation with the player and informed him that any further incidents would likely result in him no longer being welcome at our events.
No.
Any situation that impacts the enjoyment of players at our tournaments is taken very seriously. If someone is creating an environment that is making you uncomfortable please bring it to the attention of a tournament official (Judge or any of the Staff on stage).
We want all players to enjoy being at our events and will address such situations as soon as they are brought to our attention.
You cannot 'unknowingly cheat'. Per definition Cheating requires intent.
He was punished for his mistake in the form of a game loss. There is nothing unsporting about continuing to play after.
To:
Being familiar with the habits of a local player and using that information while performing an investigation IS NOT the same as letting someone cheat because they are your friend. Frankly I find it VERY offensive to even suggest that, especially if you don't even know the parties involved.
Might I suggest actually cheat, which is obviously not what happened here. The HJ stated that he investigated and found it reasonable that the player could have made the mistakes he made unintentionally.
It's not a bad one, ultimately its at the discretion of the judge. Be aware that doing that every round to every opponent is not likely to be tolerated.
It really doesn't. I think you overestimate the attention to detail and perceptiveness of an average magic player, especially one who isn't sitting in his armchair judging people over the internet.
You can request it, the judge doesn't have to honor the request. I would suggest having a good reason to be requesting the check.
Do you really think players count every card in their deck while sideboarding? I know I only pay attention to the cards I am planning to remove as I flip through.
@Valarin the amount of incorrect information in your post is mind boggling. Please check your facts and try again.
Damage does not reduce toughness, so after the newt's trigger (assuming no witch is around) you end up with a 1/1 ooze with 1 damage marked. This would destroy a creature normally due to state-based actions but the ooze is indestructible so nothing happens.
This was an errata made during the M10 rules change to clarify this exact issue. Playing a spell is synonymous with casting. Putting something into play (onto the battlefield) is not.