Do Persist and Undying cancel each other out?

Asked by DrewsBrews 9 years ago

If I have a persist creature in play that gains undying from something like Mikaeus, the Unhallowed and that creature dies, do the counters offset and that creature returns with no counter?

Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #1

No, but this is still a positive interaction.

Each of persist and undying is a triggered ability (starts with "when/whenever/at"), and both will trigger when the creature dies. Since you control both of the triggers trying to go onto the stack at the same time you get to decide the order. If persist resolves first then the creature will come back with a -1/-1 counter and undying will do nothing when it resolves (because the creature it's trying to return is no longer in the graveyard). Likewise for if undying resolves first. If the creature dies again while it has both abilities then the other will trigger and bring it back with the appropriate counter. This can keep happening for as long as you can make sure the creature has both persist and undying at the time it dies.

March 29, 2015 10:56 a.m.