If you control two replacement effects for something, where one is optional and the other isn't, do you still get the choice of which to use?

Asked by Yesterday 5 years ago

Example –

You control both an Underrealm Lich and an Obstinate Familiar. You go to draw a card. Do you have the option of choosing in which order the effects apply (appropriate Magic terminology for this sentence would be appreciated in an answer too btw thx), meaning you could use the Lich's ability to look at the top three and choose one - or you could choose not to draw due to the Obstinate's ability, and therefore not use the Lich's ability as a result of having chosen to not draw; or considering that the Lich says you have no option but to replace the draw effect with its ability, does this mean that you would have no option to choose not to draw - as as a result of the Lich's nonconsentual ability, you must look at the top three cards and choose one rather than drawing a card and so therefore don't have an option to replace the nonexistent draw with the Obstinate's ability?

Sorrynotsorry for the convoluted sentence. I had fun typing it.

Thanks in advance.

Boza says... Accepted answer #1

Basically, with replacement abilities such as these, trying to replace the exact same event, the controller of those abilities in which order they apply. So there are several options:

• You apply OB ability first and choose to not draw. Lich's ability does nothing, as you are not drawing anymore.
• You apply OB ability first and choose to draw. You can then apply Lich's ability and replace that draw with its ability.
• You apply Lich's ability first. You replace the draw with its ability. There is no draw anymore for OB's ability, so cannot do anything.

So, you will either not do anything or you will simply use lich's ability.
In essence, these cards do not go very well together.

Here is another explanation with Obstinate familiar, that can help you:

can-i-choose-between-two-draw-replacers

October 22, 2018 9:24 a.m.

Yesterday says... #2

Thanks very much. I wasn't sure if one saying "may" and one "must" made a difference, but apparently it doesn't.

I'm sure it was at least incidental, but the Chains of Mephistopheles example is a very appropriate response to my intentionally unununconvoluted question, and for this you get both internet brownie and cookie points.

October 22, 2018 9:40 a.m.