Had this happen in a casual EDH game earlier. We determined the result there, but I was hoping someone could find a rule to back up either me or the opponent:
My opponent dropped out Boonweaver Giant and got Flickerform on it. He then proceeded to enchant it with Spectra Ward from his hand. He then activated Flickerform. Since the Auras were being attached to the Giant by its effect, my opponent claimed that they would go around the protection, and they would stay on the creature because of Spectra Ward.
However, since a part of Protection is that the creature can't be enchanted, I felt that the Auras would remain in the deck since they couldn't attach to a creature with protection from their color.
(Note: I know Flickerform doesn't interact with Spectra Ward since they all come back at the same time, so when they go to attach the creature doesn't have the protection)
We ended up going with the opponent's statement since we couldn't find any rulings that stated that it wouldn't work, and nothing we found in the Comp. rules helped. I'm still not sure though, so I was wondering if anyone could find a ruling that goes either way. I'm going to need a solid ruling for this one, he isn't going to accept anything else.
I acknowledge that, but the point I am making here is that no card exists that allows Rosheen's C to be spent on C in costs, only on x or 'generic mana' 1,2,3. etc. I don't know of any other instance were this happens.
Lets do a quick gatherer search and see: Grand Architect: Only Eldrazi have the colorless requirement in their cost, so there's no chance the CC could be used to pay a cost of C Mishra's Workshop: Same deal as the Architect Myr Reservoir: I could see Myr gaining the C mechanic... if we ever return to their plane. As it stands, none do. Renowned Weaponsmith,Soldevi Machinist: Same as the workshop
I honestly don't see the issue though. The C symbol isn't connected to the Eldrazi, it just happens that the Eldrazi are the first race to require their mana be colorless. We'll likely see this on artifact-only mana for the rest of Magic, albeit rarely.
Actually, some sort of casual Part + Radiate build does look really funny, if a mite expensive. What ways do we have available to cheat these into play? I'd say the new Mizzix's Mastery, but that's eight mana right there for both... maybe Jhoira of the Ghitu?
As fun as that would be, it doesn't work. Casting for awaken cost is an alternate cost to cast, and can't be used if something lets you cast it without paying its mana cost. Gonna have to go with cost reduction effects, such as the new RU experience commander.
Mass Calcify
Protection stops 4 things: Damage, Enchanting/Equipping, Blocking, and Targeting (DEBT). Mass Calcify does none of these things, so a non-white creature with protection from white will still be affected by it.
No need for quote marks on the exiled there. Lilly's effect specifies that she is exiled, then returns flipped. Since the whip only cares that the card is exiled instead of anywhere else, it won't prevent the returning effect.
So yes, that does work. It also works for the other 4 flipwalkers, if you can trigger their requirement before the end of the turn effect of whip exiles them for good.
I misread JVL's article at first and thought he was saying Foundry would lead to more multicolor decks before I saw the card.
Are there any repeatable effects in blue in Standard right now that would make Willbreaker good?
There are plenty right now, but sadly most are in Theros, with the inspired triggers. But why use repeatable when you can just steal the whole field at once? Willbreaker will trigger for each creature targeted, not just once per spell or ability. Yank them all with Icy Blast at the end of the opponent's turn. If you don't want to risk losing the creatures to a single removal spell, go with Curse of the Swine. Willbreaker takes the creatures before the spell resolves, then YOU get the boars.
Sadly, as a 2/3 for 5 that does nothing on its own (and gives back the creatures when it dies), it likely won't see any play, even with the wealth of cards it can combo with.
The answer seems to be based on part of rule 613.2:
Within layers 1-6, apply effects from characteristic-defining abilities first (see rule 604.3), then all other effects in timestamp order (see rule 613.6). Note that dependency may alter the order in which effects are applied within a layer. (See rule 613.7.)
Since the card's second and third effects are dependent on the top being revealed in order to have its effect, it needs to wait for that part to be applied in order to have its effect.
I had this come up the other day while playing against someone. I tried using the trick where an Aura entering the battlefield without being cast can attach to a hexproof creature controlled by an opponent, and he refused to take my word for it, requesting that I look up the rule that allows this. There wasn't any judge nearby, so rather than try to fight me over it, he just forfeit the game. I was wondering if anyone could help me find a ruling that allows that trick, either in the Comp. rules or on a single card rule. I tried looking myself, but couldn't find anything.
I also had a similar issue with retargeting an ability to the same creature. He claimed that because I was choosing the new target, I couldn't choose the hexproof creature because I didn't control it, despite the ability being controlled by him. I know that's wrong, but he insisted that I find the rule that allows that before I try it again in any causal game.
I like all the mechanics, but there's a bit of a loophole in the Barrage wording. Any instant with Barrage has potential to be kept around indefinitely, by casting it in response to the delayed trigger that would put it into the graveyard. As it currently works, I don't see any way to close this loophole without some complex wording. However, I don't think it is that big a problem, since the player would be forced to cast the spell during each player's turn just to keep it around. As long as any instants with Barrage aren't too overpowering with that interaction, I doubt there would be a problem.
Again, great mechanics all around, and an excellent interaction between them. I'd love to see an Instant or Sorcery that is decent on its own, but gets a powerful boost from Rapid Fire.
These all seem perfectly balanced and doable. The only point I feel needs to be made is for Taurean Brawler. If the opponent doesn't have any creatures, the ability can't go on the stack even with the 'may' clause (Since targets are chosen when an effect goes on the stack, and you choose whether or not to perform the effect on resolution). It should probably say "up to one target." This way, it can still be put on the stack without any legal targets.
Was thinking about the upcoming Battle for Zendikar set, when I came up with a cute keyword that would fit in nicely.
Survivor (When another creature you control dies, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature)
A very simple effect, not too powerful on its own. It can be used for in multiple flavorful forms:
A warrior who lived:
Child of War 1W
Creature - Human Warrior (C)
First Strike
Survivor I have lived this way my whole life. I will not forget those who fell by my side.
1/1
A researcher who gathers knowledge from the lost
Battlefield Scavenger 3U
Creature - Human Artificer (C)
Survivor
Remove two +1/+1 counters from Battlefield Scavenger: Draw a card I prefer to wait until things quiet down before i look.
0/2
A monster that enjoys watching others die
Murderous Thresher 1BB
Creature - Horror (U)
Survivor T, Sacrifice another creature: Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is Murderous Thresher's power. Yes, it would be a helpful ally. No, I don't want to bring it with us.
1/1
A berserker who thrives on chaos
Eager Mauler 2R
Creature - Human Berserker (C)
Haste
Survivor My day isn't complete until something is dead.
2/1
Or a beast that feeds on the dead
Scavenging Baloth 3G
Creature - Beast (U)
Survivor T: Scavenging Baloth fights target creature. Quiet. We don't want it to see fresh food. -Frontier Guide, last words
3/3
Of course, without proper support, such a mechanic can't flourish in Limited:
Soul Martyr W
Creature - Spirit Monk (C)
Sacrifice Soul Martyr: Regenerate target creature If my death saves but one life, so be it.
1/1
I felt totem armor would be a good effect alongside this. Keep the creature alive even when everyone else dies, and it can get huge.
Avenger's Mark 2W
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature has Survivor
Totem Armor I don't mind living with it. It's everyone else dying while I have it that bothers me.
The mechanic is an okay counter to Annihilator in limited as well, although the Eldrazi might be able to adapt...
(DECENT ELDRAZI NAME) 7
Creature - Eldrazi (U)
Trample, Annihilator 2
Your opponents can't sacrifice creatures The Eldrazi destroy our homes, our land, our livelihood. We cannot live while they do.
-Nirthu, lone missionary
6/6
As always, opinions, comments and critiques are welcome.
I've noticed some griping about megamorph recently, mostly about the name. I figured I'd take a shot at what this mechanic could have been, with two changes - the name and an extra effect.
Envoy of Dromoka 3W
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
Lifelink
As long as ~this~ is a Dragon, it has flying
Dracomorph 3WW (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for 3. Turn it face up any time for its dracomorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it. It becomes a dragon in addition to its other types)
2/3
Any restrictions on megamorph would still apply to this mechanic. The flying clause on the given card wouldn't be on all of them, just part of a cycle.
I felt something like this would be a better fit for DoT, especially with the "Dragon's Matter" sub-theme.
Opinions on the mechanic? (The card is just for demonstration, wasn't focusing on balance for it)
I am very displeased to learn that, since there is no logical reason for that rule to exist; what flavor or mechanical explanation could there possibly be to explain that rule?
A flavorful reason? The first card on the planar deck is the one that you are starting the fight in; that's where the players began their battle. Starting in a phenomenon doesn't make sense in that regard.
Mechanically, it deals with the problem of having a triggered ability occur when the game hasn't started yet. The planer card is flipped before anyone has taken a turn.
Overall, the mechanic has an issue with vagueness. Does it have to attack if able, or is it simply a restriction on who it can attack?
It isn't possible for a creature to attack its controller, so in a 1-on-1 game, this just shuts off the ability to attack if the condition isn't met.
EDIT: I just noticed that they have the type or supertype "Neutral." Since that doesn't exist in the game yet, anything with that type would have to have reminder text as to how it works. How does it work? I'd think on first reading it that a Neutral permanent isn't controlled by anyone, but then Grim Gatherings wouldn't work. Could you come up with a way to describe it that could be seen in the Comprehensive Rules? That would help
Road bandit seems a bit too much at common. For limited's sake, it should probably be uncommon (don't want everyone in black with turn 1 2/1's, even on defense)
Swamp Monstrosity seems like a nice use on reading it, but in practice I think it would just mess up the field into a stalemate.
Terror of Villages... wouldn't a dragon want to go after the weaker target? Or is it testing its strength against others who are strong? Also, suffers from the fact that it only attacks while your opponent has more life, then stays on defense while you have more... so your opponent can't hit you to get your life down.
Or you use a "pay x life" effect and get a 7/7 for 5 with almost no drawback.
My opponent dropped out Boonweaver Giant and got Flickerform on it. He then proceeded to enchant it with Spectra Ward from his hand. He then activated Flickerform. Since the Auras were being attached to the Giant by its effect, my opponent claimed that they would go around the protection, and they would stay on the creature because of Spectra Ward.
However, since a part of Protection is that the creature can't be enchanted, I felt that the Auras would remain in the deck since they couldn't attach to a creature with protection from their color.
(Note: I know Flickerform doesn't interact with Spectra Ward since they all come back at the same time, so when they go to attach the creature doesn't have the protection)
We ended up going with the opponent's statement since we couldn't find any rulings that stated that it wouldn't work, and nothing we found in the Comp. rules helped. I'm still not sure though, so I was wondering if anyone could find a ruling that goes either way. I'm going to need a solid ruling for this one, he isn't going to accept anything else.
Lets do a quick gatherer search and see:
Grand Architect: Only Eldrazi have the colorless requirement in their cost, so there's no chance the CC could be used to pay a cost of C
Mishra's Workshop: Same deal as the Architect
Myr Reservoir: I could see Myr gaining the C mechanic... if we ever return to their plane. As it stands, none do.
Renowned Weaponsmith,Soldevi Machinist: Same as the workshop
I honestly don't see the issue though. The C symbol isn't connected to the Eldrazi, it just happens that the Eldrazi are the first race to require their mana be colorless. We'll likely see this on artifact-only mana for the rest of Magic, albeit rarely.
As fun as that would be, it doesn't work. Casting for awaken cost is an alternate cost to cast, and can't be used if something lets you cast it without paying its mana cost. Gonna have to go with cost reduction effects, such as the new RU experience commander.
Protection stops 4 things: Damage, Enchanting/Equipping, Blocking, and Targeting (DEBT). Mass Calcify does none of these things, so a non-white creature with protection from white will still be affected by it.
So yes, that does work. It also works for the other 4 flipwalkers, if you can trigger their requirement before the end of the turn effect of whip exiles them for good.
There are plenty right now, but sadly most are in Theros, with the inspired triggers. But why use repeatable when you can just steal the whole field at once? Willbreaker will trigger for each creature targeted, not just once per spell or ability. Yank them all with Icy Blast at the end of the opponent's turn. If you don't want to risk losing the creatures to a single removal spell, go with Curse of the Swine. Willbreaker takes the creatures before the spell resolves, then YOU get the boars.
Sadly, as a 2/3 for 5 that does nothing on its own (and gives back the creatures when it dies), it likely won't see any play, even with the wealth of cards it can combo with.
Since the card's second and third effects are dependent on the top being revealed in order to have its effect, it needs to wait for that part to be applied in order to have its effect.
I also had a similar issue with retargeting an ability to the same creature. He claimed that because I was choosing the new target, I couldn't choose the hexproof creature because I didn't control it, despite the ability being controlled by him. I know that's wrong, but he insisted that I find the rule that allows that before I try it again in any causal game.
In case it matters, the first issue was Clever Impersonator copying Take Possession and the second was a triggered ability being shifted by Willbender. The creature in both cases was Lazav, Dimir Mastermind
Again, great mechanics all around, and an excellent interaction between them. I'd love to see an Instant or Sorcery that is decent on its own, but gets a powerful boost from Rapid Fire.
Survivor (When another creature you control dies, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature)
A very simple effect, not too powerful on its own. It can be used for in multiple flavorful forms:
A warrior who lived:
A researcher who gathers knowledge from the lost
A monster that enjoys watching others die
A berserker who thrives on chaos
Or a beast that feeds on the dead
Of course, without proper support, such a mechanic can't flourish in Limited:
I felt totem armor would be a good effect alongside this. Keep the creature alive even when everyone else dies, and it can get huge.
The mechanic is an okay counter to Annihilator in limited as well, although the Eldrazi might be able to adapt...
As always, opinions, comments and critiques are welcome.
Envoy of Dromoka 3W
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
Lifelink
As long as ~this~ is a Dragon, it has flying
Dracomorph 3WW (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for 3. Turn it face up any time for its dracomorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it. It becomes a dragon in addition to its other types)
2/3
Any restrictions on megamorph would still apply to this mechanic. The flying clause on the given card wouldn't be on all of them, just part of a cycle.
I felt something like this would be a better fit for DoT, especially with the "Dragon's Matter" sub-theme.
Opinions on the mechanic? (The card is just for demonstration, wasn't focusing on balance for it)
A flavorful reason? The first card on the planar deck is the one that you are starting the fight in; that's where the players began their battle. Starting in a phenomenon doesn't make sense in that regard.
Mechanically, it deals with the problem of having a triggered ability occur when the game hasn't started yet. The planer card is flipped before anyone has taken a turn.
Overall, the mechanic has an issue with vagueness. Does it have to attack if able, or is it simply a restriction on who it can attack?It isn't possible for a creature to attack its controller, so in a 1-on-1 game, this just shuts off the ability to attack if the condition isn't met.
EDIT: I just noticed that they have the type or supertype "Neutral." Since that doesn't exist in the game yet, anything with that type would have to have reminder text as to how it works. How does it work? I'd think on first reading it that a Neutral permanent isn't controlled by anyone, but then Grim Gatherings wouldn't work. Could you come up with a way to describe it that could be seen in the Comprehensive Rules? That would help
Road bandit seems a bit too much at common. For limited's sake, it should probably be uncommon
(don't want everyone in black with turn 1 2/1's, even on defense)Swamp Monstrosity seems like a nice use on reading it, but in practice I think it would just mess up the field into a stalemate.
Terror of Villages... wouldn't a dragon want to go after the weaker target? Or is it testing its strength against others who are strong?
Also, suffers from the fact that it only attacks while your opponent has more life, then stays on defense while you have more... so your opponent can't hit you to get your life down.Or you use a "pay x life" effect and get a 7/7 for 5 with almost no drawback.
Grim Gatherings: Seems fine.