Does Nim Deathmantle's ability work if it is on the way to the yard?
Asked by sonnet666 9 years ago
Let's say I have Nim Deathmantle and at least one non-token creature on the field and I cast a general nuke like Planar Cleansing . As we all know from cards like Falkenrath Noble all the permanents that die "see" each other going to the yard, so deathmantle's ability should trigger, and I should be able to pay 4 and return a creature to the battlefield even though Nim Deathmantle has already left play... I think.
Can someone confirm this works? Because it's not in the gatherer page rulings, and I'm planning a very, "Blow up the world, multiple times" deck.
(In any case Nim Deathmantle will be in the yard and will not attach to the creature.)
Actually, I believe you are incorrect.
I found your answer to be a little vague and unclear, so I did a little digging in the comp. rules myself. Allow me to introduce, rule 603.6d:
603.6d Normally, objects that exist immediately after an event are checked to see if the event matched any trigger conditions. Continuous effects that exist at that time are used to determine what the trigger conditions are and what the objects involved in the event look like. However, some triggered abilities must be treated specially. Leaves-the-battlefield abilities, abilities that trigger when a permanent phases out, abilities that trigger when an object that all players can see is put into a hand or library, abilities that trigger specifically when an object becomes unattached, abilities that trigger when a player loses control of an object, and abilities that trigger when a player planeswalks away from a plane will trigger based on their existence, and the appearance of objects, prior to the event rather than afterward. The game has to look back in time to determine if these abilities trigger.
Example: Two creatures are on the battlefield along with an artifact that has the ability Whenever a creature dies, you gain 1 life. Someone plays a spell that destroys all artifacts, creatures, and enchantments. The artifacts ability triggers twice, even though the artifact goes to its owners graveyard at the same time as the creatures.
I don't see a difference between Nim Deathmantle and the example's artifact. They're both artifacts with non-delayed triggers going to the yard at the same time as a creature; both their abilities should resolve.
Also why would anyone tl;dr: the answer to their own question?
October 10, 2014 4:57 a.m.
BboyGeologic says... Accepted answer #3
The answer is yes, you can pay 4 and return your creature to the battlefield. Since Nim is in the graveyard it will not attach to it, but it will still trigger since it will look back to the game state right before it went to the graveyard.
October 10, 2014 8:56 a.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #4
You found the right rule. Nim Deathmantle 's ability is a "leaves the battlefield" trigger, so it checks the gamestate right before an event to determine if and how it triggers. This works.
Boza says... #1
Deathmantle's ability will only trigger if it is still the battlefield after the creature dies. Permanents' abilities, unless otherwise stated trigger only on the battlefield. Falkenrath Noble can see itself dying with other creatures because it says "falkenrath noble or another acreature" right there on the card.
tl;dr: This does not work as you think it does.
October 10, 2014 3:36 a.m.