Question about the legends rule
Asked by Redcat7264 6 years ago
My commander is Venser, Shaper Savant and I was wondering if I could have Clone enter the battlefield as him, trigger, and then get destroyed by the legend rule, or would he not even be able to get the trigger off.
Small corrections, though how it plays out is correct. When Clone enters the battlefield as Venser, Shaper Savant it's ability triggers, but is not put on the stack, then the Legend Rule applies and puts one of them in the graveyard, then the ability is put onto the stack and a target is chosen. State based actions are always checked before triggered abilities are put onto the stack. This is slightly relevant as the ability could not target the Venser you intend on sending to the graveyard, but as it would be gone before the ability resolved anyways it's not a huge difference.
Also, a couple points: The Legend Rule does not destroy or sacrifice, any abilities that interact with those (like indestructible or thraxamundar) won't interact with a creature going to the graveyard (or command zone) off of the Legend Rule. Additionally, Clone does not have flash and thus even though it's copying Venser, Shaper Savant it can only be cast during your main phase while the stack is empty.
Caerwyn says... Accepted answer #1
The rule that matters is 704.5j:
If a player controls two or more legendary permanents with the same name, that player chooses one of them, and the rest are put into their owners graveyards. This is called the legend rule.
This is a type of "state-based action" (Rule 704.5).
So, what does this mean?
Clone enters the battlefield as a Venser, Shaper Savant. Upon its entering the battlefield, its ability triggers and goes on the stack. Here's the important thing--the ability goes on the stack immediately upon entering the battlefield--state-based actions are not checked between resolution of Clone and Venser's ability triggering.
Now, once the ability triggers, state-based actions will be checked and one of your Venser's will be put into the graveyard.
Then the ability would resolve (unless other tools have been added to the stack).
So, to answer your question, yes, this would work.
However, you could not use Clone to bounce Venser before the legend rule forces one copy to the graveyard.
April 11, 2018 9:27 p.m.