What happens when I target an etb creature (i.e. Snapcaster Mage) with a kill spell after it's etb'd?
Asked by DrDoomBlade 9 years ago
So say my opponent casts snapcaster mage. He/she passes priority to me, I let it resolve. Then the "Enter the Battlefield" trigger triggers, targeting, say, lightning bolt. It is still on the stack, and I cast doom blade on the snapcaster. What happens? I know the doom blade will kill the snapcaster, but can the lightning bolt still have flashback from the snapcaster? Also if my understanding of the mechanics wrong, please tell me so.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #2
Link all cards in your question.
Snapcaster Mage
Lightning Bolt
Doom Blade
Once on the stack, an ability exists independently of its source. Removing the source will not counter the ability. The ability itself needs to be countered by something like Stifle or Trickbind.
112.7a Once activated or triggered, an ability exists on the stack independently of its source. Destruction or removal of the source after that time won't affect the ability. Note that some abilities cause a source to do something (for example, "Prodigal Pyromancer deals 1 damage to target creature or player") rather than the ability doing anything directly. In these cases, any activated or triggered ability that references information about the source because the effect needs to be divided checks that information when the ability is put onto the stack. Otherwise, it will check that information when it resolves. In both instances, if the source is no longer in the zone it's expected to be in at that time, its last known information is used. The source can still perform the action even though it no longer exists.
November 25, 2014 1:08 a.m.
DrDoomBlade says... #3
Okay, thank you guys! Also 112.7a answers another question I had, so double thanks!
SageOfStone says... #1
Yes, the Lightning Bolt still has Flashback. When Snapcaster Mage enters the battlefield, it puts a triggered ability on the stack. Even if you get rid of the source of the trigger, the ability is still on the stack, and resolves regardless of the state it's source is in upon resolution.
November 25, 2014 1:05 a.m.