When triggering abilities by paying an activated ability's cost, which comes first, the activated ability or the triggered one?

Asked by slayerx1779 9 years ago

An example would be podding my Thragtusk with Birthing Pod . Which would resolve first: Thragtusk's death trigger or Birthing Pod's activation?

Or, alternatively, do I get to choose on a case-by-case basis?

keyno says... #1

Imagine how the effects would go on the chain. First, you pay the costs of sacrificing Thragtusk , then the Birthing Pod Effect goes on the stack. Next, Thragtusk 's effect triggers in the graveyard, so that goes to the top of the stack.

Assuming no other spells or effects go on the chain, you'd resolve from the top down. First gaining life, then searching for a creature.

September 14, 2014 5:53 a.m.

GlistenerAgent says... #2

Thragtusk is sacrificed as a part of the cost of Birthing Pod 's activation. When you pay the cost to activate the ability, it is put onto the stack. Then, since Thragtusk left the battlefield, its ability will trigger, giving you a Beast upon resolution, followed by Pod finding you a 6-drop.

September 14, 2014 11:04 a.m.

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #3

Technically speaking, both keyno and GlistenerAgent's answers are incorrect due to their explanations of the activation process.

Announcing an activated ability and putting it onto the stack is the first action in activating said ability. The ability remains on the stack throughout the activation process. Any abilities that trigger during the activation process will wait until the first ability has been fully activated, and they will then be put onto the stack above the activated ability.

If multiple abilities have triggered since the last time a player received priority, their controllers put them onto the stack in turn order. If one player controls multiple abilities, he or she puts them onto the stack in the order of his or her choice.

In this scenario, Birthing Pod 's ability is put onto the stack first. Thragtusk 's ability later triggers, and that ability is placed on top of Birthing Pod 's ability. You'll get a token, then find a creature. (@keyno: Note that gaining life is the effect of Thragtusk 's ETB ability, not its LTB ability).

September 14, 2014 5:13 p.m.