Question about Soul Ransom and activated abilities.
Asked by Not_Sure 8 years ago
I cast Soul Ransom, it resolves, now "I control enchanted creature."
I have been reading about options and tactics built around this card. I have read that, say, an opponent chooses to discard two cards. Soul Ransom's controller sacrifices it (assuming it = creature), now the question.
You can Cloudshift the creature and you get to keep the creature and draw two cards (after the opponents discard of course)?
Orzhov Charm both the creature and the aura, and draw the two cards (or choose to do so before they discard and still keep both the aura and the creature?)?
I wonder what determines order of resolve in activated abilities. Is being a cost paid (activated ability = discard, tap, mana, or etc.) hence allowing a window of opportunity (or passing of priority) for an instant-cast spell, in this case the scenarios mentioned above.
Essentially, if a cost for an activated ability is activated an instant or flash card can be thrown in between the cast and the abilities resolve making for different combos?
Thank you merrowMania,
So Cloudshifting the creature enchanted by Soul Ransom would cause the creature to go into exile, Soul Ransom to go to my graveyard, and the creature would return to the battlefield under my control un-enchanted. Then Soul Ransom's activated ability would then finish resolving resulting in my drawing of two cards?
Then, in a separate instance, say I remove Soul Ransom from the enchanted creature somehow (no activation of second ability); would the creature still remain in the battlefield under my control?
Also, priority also passes between each instance of something placed on the stack? Hence, creating opportunity for instant or flash-cast cards.
January 15, 2016 1:49 a.m.
merrowMania says... Accepted answer #3
Yes (minor rules technicality: the creature would be exiled, then returned to your control, THEN Soul Ransom is put into your graveyard as a state-based action for not having a legal target. State-based actions are not checked while a spell or ability is resolving).
Not quite. Once Soul Ransom leaves the battlefield (let's say it was Disenchanted), the creature would return to its previous controller. So, yes, it's still on the battlefield, but, no, it is not under your control.
Exactly.
January 15, 2016 2:21 a.m. Edited.
Epochalyptik says... #4
Minor technical nitpick: auras don't target as permanents; they only target as spells. An aura permanent is simply on the battlefield attached to a legally enchantable object and is put into its owner's graveyard when it isn't. This is why auras that get put into the battlefield without casting can enchant objects with shroud or hexproof.
merrowMania says... #1
First, it refers to the Soul Ransom. That ability only mentions one card, the Soul Ransom itself.
Second, you CAN Cloudshift in response to the ability being activated. This would be after the cards are discarded because your opponent needs to that that as part of the cost to even activate the ability. If you Cloudshift, you will still get the two cards because the sacrifice is not necessary for the draw. Otherwise, it would be worded, "Soul Ransom's controller sacrifices it. If Soul Ransom is sacrificed this way, Soul Ransom's controller draws two cards."
Third, Orzhov Charm will return Soul Ransom to your hand. As you do not OWN the creature and only control it, it will be returned to your opponent's hand. You will still draw the cards (see Cloudshift explanation).
When you receive priority, you may activate an ability or cast a spell by paying all the costs and putting it on the stack. A spell or ability only resolves when all players pass priority without doing anything.
Also, when an ability is put on the stack, it becomes independent from its source (eg Soul Ransom).
If I missed something, feel free to ask.
January 15, 2016 12:35 a.m.