Emeria Shepherd and rules interpretations

Asked by BlueScope 8 years ago

I'm sorry to drag an old question back into the light, but it's been something I continuously run into, so I'd like to get it cleared up once and for all.

The question (quoted from Cranial Insertion):
I control an Emeria Shepherd and I just played a Plains, but I actually want the card in my graveyard (a Den Protector) to return to my hand instead of the battlefield. Can I do that?

You can see my reply in the linked article's comment section, and I previously replied to a post on tappedout that I don't think you would be able to choose to have the creature go back to your hand (and remember the general opinion agreeing with me and hoping for a Gatherer ruling - that doesn't exist as of yet). James Bennett - the author of aforementioned article - disagrees with me, and who am I to question them, but I'd like a second opinion on the matter. I'm fine with either answer, I'd just like a definitive one...

Thanks in advance!

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1

I won't go into the same detail because the answer here explains it pretty well, but the replacement is optional. You may choose not to do anything, to apply the one-shot effect, or to apply the self-replacement effect.

The exact function of effects written like this is the subject of debate, but Matt Tabak's quote in the above link seems to support this interpretation.

November 20, 2015 12:36 p.m.