Does Archmage Ascension prevent death by mill?
Asked by erabel 11 years ago
Exactly what it says on the tin: if I manage to get six counters on Archmage Ascension, and then somehow have no cards in my library, can I use the replacement effect, search my "library", put the "results" into my hand, then shuffle my "library", effectively preventing death by mill? Or does this not work, due to me not being able to draw a card in the first place?
This is interesting, and the gatherer entry doesn't have an answer. I would assume that you cannot use its ability as you are not able to search your library for a card when it is empty. Epochalyptik should be helpful here.
March 10, 2013 4:18 a.m.
I am fairly certain it does. Since a "mill out" occurs on drawing from an empty library and Archmage Ascension creates a replacement effect whenever you would draw, I believe it would not cause the state based effect of losing the game. I believe it would result in a "failure to search" which is something similar to a "fizzle."
March 10, 2013 4:18 a.m.
If you can use the replacement ability, then no, you won't lose due to drawing out as you don't draw.
March 10, 2013 4:19 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #5
This works. I'll give an abbreviated answer, but you can find a more detailed discussion here.
If you attempted to draw a card from an empty library, you lose the game as a state-based action. If you replace that draw, the draw never happens, and you will not lose the game (unless another effect causes you to lose the game).
Even if your library is empty, you may still attempt to search it. You will merely fail to find any cards. This isn't the same as failing to draw, though, so you're fine.
March 10, 2013 5:26 a.m.
This actually works beautifully for my new EDH. I draw loads of cards and will probably run the risk of milling myself, so the ascension is a fail-safe.
Goody says... #1
I think it works
March 10, 2013 4:15 a.m.