When a creature is set at a base power/toughness, can it be modified by abilities?

Asked by WhiteWeasel 6 years ago

For example, I have a Monastery Swiftspear on the field and I target it with Wings of Velis Vel.

Is my swiftspear set to be 4/4 regardless of modifiers, or does prowess still apply and it's a 5/5 (until the turn is over).

hyperlocke says... Accepted answer #1

Power and toughness are set in layer 7 of an object. Here, there are different sublayers. These determine the order in which p/t changing effects are applied. When multiple effects apply in a sublayer, they are applied in timestamp order.

Your example:

  • You cast Wings of Velis Vel, targeting Monastery Swiftspear.
  • Prowess triggers and resolves, giving Swiftspear +1/+1 (layer 7c).
  • Wings resolves and sets Swiftspears p/t to 4/4 (layer 7b).
  • To determine total p/t, apply these effects in the order of the layers. Swiftspear is a 4/4 (7b) that gets +1/+1 (7c), making it a 5/5.

613.3. Within layer 7, apply effects in a series of sublayers in the order described below. Within each sublayer, apply effects in timestamp order. (See rule 613.6.) Note that dependency may alter the order in which effects are applied within a sublayer. (See rule 613.7.)

613.3a Layer 7a: Effects from characteristic-defining abilities that define power and/or toughness are applied. See rule 604.3.

613.3b Layer 7b: Effects that set power and/or toughness to a specific number or value are applied.

613.3c Layer 7c: Effects that modify power and/or toughness (but dont set power and/or toughness to a specific number or value) are applied.

613.3d Layer 7d: Power and/or toughness changes from counters are applied. See rule 121, Counters.

613.3e Layer 7e: Effects that switch a creatures power and toughness are applied. Such effects take the value of power and apply it to the creatures toughness, and take the value of toughness and apply it to the creatures power.

July 26, 2017 9:22 a.m.

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