Which is better for Boros cEDH: Apocalypse, or Decree of Annihilation?

Asked by BMHKain 5 years ago

Since I'm working on upgrading a Boros cEDH deck to Tier 2.5 or more (Unlikely.), I just wanted to know as I'm also Running Teferi's Protection. In addition, what are the interactions for both Apocalypse & Decree of Annihilation when using Teferi's Protection? Thanks for the help.

Caerwyn says... Accepted answer #1

Here are the interactions for these sets of cards:

Apocalypse + Teferi's Protection

1. Apocalypse goes on the stack first.
2. Teferi's Protection goes on the stack second, while Apocalypse is still on the stack.
3. Teferi's Protection resolves first, phasing out all your permanents.
4. Apocalypse resolves second, exiling all permanents in-play and causing you to discard your hand.
5. At the beginning of your next untap step, before you untap, all your phased-out permanents phase in.

Decree of Annihilation (cast) + Teferi's Protection

1. Decree of Annihilation goes on the stack first.
2. Teferi's Protection goes on the stack second, while Decree of Annihilation is still on the stack.
3. Teferi's Protection resolves first, phasing out all your permanents.
4. Decree of Annihilation resolves second, exiling all artifacts, creatures, lands, graveyards, and hands. Planeswalkers and Enchantments will be unaffected.
5. At the beginning of your next untap step, before you untap, all your phased-out permanents phase in.

Decree of Annihilation (cycled) + Teferi's Protection

1. Decree of Annihilation's cycling ability goes on the stack first.
2. Decree of Annihilation's "whenever you cycle" ability triggers and goes on the stack second.
3. Teferi's Protection goes on the stack third, while both the cycling and "whenever you cycle" abilities are on the stack.
4. Teferi's Protection resolves first, phasing out all your permanents.
5. Decree of Annihilation's "whenever you cycle" ability resolves second, destroying all lands.
6. Decree of Annihilation's cycling ability resolves, and you draw a card.
7. At the beginning of your next untap step, before you untap, all your phased-out permanents phase in.

July 18, 2018 11:54 a.m.

BMHKain says... #2

So, basically; I get my permanents back but not my hand via Apocalypse's side effect? Good thing I have Rest in Peace in my deck. I think I already made my Descision; I'm choosing Apocalypse as a result. Thanks for the help, cdkime.

Dunno if this should be allowed to be posted as it's not an answer...

July 18, 2018 12:26 p.m.

Caerwyn says... #3

You are, of course, allowed to post follow-up questions. The rules are complicated, and it sometimes takes several follow-ups before an understanding is obtained.

You are correct - your permanents will phase out before being exiled, and thus will return. Your hand, however, is not phased out, so will be discarded as a result of Apocalypse's ability.

I am not sure I understand where Rest in Peace fits into this - I feel you might be misunderstanding a different rule, so please elaborate on your thought process.

July 18, 2018 12:33 p.m.

BMHKain says... #4

@cdkime

I mentioned Rest in Peace as it shuts down Graveyard Use in a basic sense. It also can be useful before Apocalypse + Teferi's Protection as a combo; to keep up the exiling. I'm guessing. Let's just leave it at that. I already have an answer anyway... :/

July 18, 2018 12:43 p.m.

Neotrup says... #5

That's an interaction worth addressing. If Apocalypse resolves while Rest in Peace is phased out, thanks to Teferi's Protection all permanents will be exiled but your hand will be discarded to the graveyard (which should be empty). Rest in Peace phasing back in will not trigger it's ability, so your old hand will still be in the graveyard, in case you have any way of taking advantage of it.

July 18, 2018 10:10 p.m.