Do you target with a spell before on cast abilities trigger?

Asked by Xephon_ 3 years ago

If I have Zaxara, the Exemplary on board and cast Primal Might, does Zaxara's on cast trigger happen before or after I'm required to target with Primal Might? If Zaxara triggers before, I can use Zaxara's token to fight. If Zaxara triggers after, then I can't use Zaxara's token to fight.

Additionally, do these take place at the same time? If so would I be able to order the stack such that Zaxara's ability triggers first, or would that not be allowed due to timing and when these things are put onto the stack?

Tylord2894 says... Accepted answer #1

Any abilities that trigger when something is cast are triggered when the spell is successfully cast, which is the last step in the casting process. Meanwhile, the step where you select your targets in one of the first steps. In short, you can't target the token that Zaxara will make from the casting of a spell with that spell.

Importantly, once an ability is triggered, nothing actually happens at that moment. The triggered ability will go onto the stack after state-based actions are checked and performed. This happens immediately after almost anything happens in the game. Once the trigger goes on the stack, it still needs to resolve just like any other spell or (non-mana) ability. In short, you don't create the token from Zaxara when the ability is triggered. It has to follow the normal timings of spell and abilities.

What will happen when you cast Primal Might is as follows:

  1. Primal Might will be put on the stack; Zaxara will trigger.
  2. State-based actions are checked and performed.
  3. Triggers (including the one from Zaxara) are put on the stack.
  4. Top to bottom, the stack will be the Zaxara trigger then Primal Might.

So by the time Primal Might resolves, you will have a token from Zaxara, but you have already selected your targets for Primal Might. You can't change them without another spell or ability (like that of Sudden Substitution).

Hope this helps!!

June 22, 2020 3:33 p.m.

Selecting targets for spells or abilities are part of the process of casting (spells) and activating/triggering (abilities).

Once the costs have been paid for Primal Might, the target will have been chosen already.

Zaxara, the Exemplary’s ability will trigger upon completion of the casting process for Primal Might and go on the stack on top of the spell, therefore his ability will resolve before the spell does.

June 22, 2020 3:35 p.m.

golfjacket says... #3

What happens if the target is an invalid target by the time Primal Might resolves - does the owner of Zaxara still get the token? For example, let's say the creature Primal Might is targeting is removed in response to the casting of Primal Might?

September 17, 2023 7:15 p.m.

Please login to comment