How does Stifle work with Glen Elendra Archmage?
Asked by TelleoStar 9 years ago
My interpretation is this: I cast, say, a lightning bolt. My opponents sacs GEA in response adding its persist ability and it's counter spell ability to the stack. Then I cast stifle, targeting the counter spell ability. When the stack resolves, I stifle, then the GEA renters the battlefield from persist, then my lightning bolt resolves.
In a recent game, however, my opponent told me that the GEA reenters the battlefield immediately, and can therefore be sacrificed again to counter the stifle as well.
Which interpretation is correct? And, if my interpretation is correct, does the GEA's controller have the option to sacrifice the second time after it reenters from persist, but before the lightning bolt resolves, therefore accepting the stifle, but canceling the lightning bolt?
Your opponent is incorrect. Persist triggers like any other ability, it doesn't happen immediately without using the stack. Your opponent will sacrifice Glen Elendra Archmage as part of the cost to put the ability on the stack. Presist will then trigger and be added to the stack above that. Once you're finally given priority then Stifle is cast targeting the ability. If everyone passes then the stack starts to resolve.
Stifle resolves countering the ability.
Persist resolves putting Glen Elendra Archmage back in play with a -1/-1.
Because the stack only resolves when both players pass over it, your opponent does have the opportunity to activate Glen Elendra Archmage again if they so choose.
Lightning Bolt resolves, if they didn't activate a second time.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1
Make sure you link all of the cards in your question.
Lightning Bolt
First, the stack does not resolve. Only one object resolves at a time, and there is always a round of priority in between resolutions of objects on the stack. You don't resolve all objects back to back.
Stifle will resolve first, countering Glen Elendra Archmage 's activated ability.
Next, Glen Elendra Archmage 's triggered ability, persist, will resolve, returning Glen Elendra Archmage to the battlefield under its owner's control and with a -1/-1 counter on it. At this time, your opponent may activate Glen Elendra Archmage 's activated ability. If he or she does, the ability will go on top of the stack and will counter Lightning Bolt .
September 18, 2014 1:41 a.m.