Does a 0/0 Creature Count Towards Devotion if it Enters the Battlefield at the Same Time as Gray Merchant of Asphodel?

Asked by ThreeSpots 9 years ago

Scenario: I cast Rally the Ancestors for x=5, with a Gray Merchant of Asphodel and Nighthowler as the only creatures in my graveyard. No other creatures are in other graveyards. Rally the Ancestors causes them both to enter the battlefield, but Nighthowler would immediately die as it's a 0/0.

I'm inclined to think Nighthowler would count towards devotion to Black for Gray Merchant of Asphodel's trigger, just wanted to verify.

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1

It doesn't. Gray Merchant of Asphodel's ability checks your devotion at the time that the ability resolves. (In general, spells and abilities that require information about the game check that information on resolution.)

Because Nighthowler isn't on the battlefield at that time, it doesn't count toward your devotion.

9/15/2013: If an activated ability or triggered ability has an effect that depends on your devotion to a color, you count the number of mana symbols of that color among the mana costs of permanents you control as the ability resolves. The permanent with that ability will be counted if its still on the battlefield at that time.

Always check the Gatherer rulings before posting a question. You'd be surprised what they cover.

March 16, 2015 11:13 p.m.