Question about Dromoka, the Eternal triggered ability

Asked by abenz419 9 years ago

What I want to know is, when do I choose the creature that will receive the +1/+1 counters? Do I choose it as the ability goes on the stack or do I choose it as the ability resolves?

Today a situation came up where I had Dromoka, the Eternal and 2x Heir of the Wilds on the board. I attacked with all 3 and my opponent questioned whether or not he could Lightning Strike the Heir of the Wilds that was going to get the counters in response to the dragons trigger going on the stack. Now, I thought I remembered reading before that because bolster uses the word "choose" and not "target" that you chose the creature upon resolution of the spell. I wasn't 100% positive and without hesitation we called the Judge over to clarify. The judge ruled that even though it didn't say "target" it was still targeting something because I had to "choose" so I had to announce which creature would receive the counters when the ability went on the stack. As I said, I thought I remembered reading otherwise and, as far as I know, a spell does not target unless it uses the word target (with the exception of auras) so I felt like this was the wrong decision along with a couple of people sitting around me that were listening in. We accepted it as true though and continued the game. Was the judges ruling correct, or was I right and I get to choose the creature as the spell resolves?

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1

The judge was wrong.

If an effect tells you to choose something, you make that choice on resolution. The exceptions are modal spells (Abzan Charm is an example; choosing a mode is the second step in the casting process).

Your opponent won't know what creature will receive the bolster counters until the triggered ability or the spell with bolster resolves, at which point it's too late to preempt the counters.

January 31, 2015 1:26 a.m.

Tunde says... #2

Judge was definitely wrong and as usual Epoch is correct.

January 31, 2015 6:24 a.m.

Gidgetimer says... #3

As documentation for this you can use the FRF release notes which specifically state:

Bolster itself doesn't target any creature, though some spells and abilities that bolster may have other effects that target creatures. For example, you could put counters on a creature with protection from white with Abzan Skycaptain's bolster ability.

You determine which creature to put counters on as the spell or ability that instructs you to bolster resolves.

January 31, 2015 8:11 a.m.

abenz419 says... #4

Ok thanks guys, I thought that I chose the creature on resolution. Fortunately in that game it didn't have any real effect on the outcome. Thanks for clarifying, our Judge at our local shop isn't the worst, but he's not the most knowledgeable either.

January 31, 2015 10:23 a.m.

Rhadamanthus says... #5

If it doesn't say "target", either in the printed text or the full rules text of a keyword (Equip, Enchant NN), then it doesn't target. If Bolster targeted then the reminder text would be sure to use that word. The judge outsmarted himself.

January 31, 2015 10:23 a.m.

This discussion has been closed