When can you use Pharika, God of Affliction's activated ability?
Asked by SixthSamurai 9 years ago
Some scenarios,
Opponent activates Whip of Erebos ability targeting a creature from their grave, can you disrupt with Pharika, God of Affliction
Opponent uses a graveyard clear like Agent of Erebos, Tormod's Crypt can you make snakes before they're all gone?
Is it based on player priority?
Thanks again
SixthSamurai says... #2
Can you use Pharika ability when they are casting cards like Nemesis of Mortals?
And during combat can you use it to weaken cards like Nighthowler?
New to Dredge and want to make sure I can use its full potential :D
December 22, 2014 7:18 p.m.
MountainMan817 says... #3
you can NOT use Pharika on Nemesis of Mortals because the casting cost is figured as the spell is being cast; you cannot change the casting cost of a card "in response". I am unsure on how "monstrosity" would come into this, Epochalyptik?
And for Nighthowler, yes you can, either "in response" to your opponent declaring combat or "before damage" since Pharika has an activated ability.
December 22, 2014 8:01 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #4
When a player casts a spell or activates an ability, he or she first announces the object and places it on the stack. Players don't have priority during the casting/activation process, so nobody can respond to a spell or ability being announced. The spell or ability will be completely cast or activated, then players may take actions. At this point, it's too late to change anything about the casting process.
You can't respond to Nemesis of Mortals (the spell) or its monstrosity ability and retroactively increase the casting/activation cost.
MountainMan817 says... Accepted answer #1
Since they are activated abilities, they use the stack.
Scenario 1: you can disrupt in response to the activation of Whip of Erebos and thereby rendering the action unable to resolve without a valid target
Scenario 2: As long as you have available mana, you can make snakes in response to casting Agent of Erebos or sacrificing Tormod's Crypt
December 22, 2014 7:13 p.m.