Xantcha, Sleeper Agent controller dying

Asked by scotchtapedsleeves 5 years ago

I was wondering what happens if Xantcha, Sleeper Agent's controller dies. Do I have a choice whether Xantcha, Sleeper Agent comes under my control or goes to my command zone?

Or if I'm completely wrong what are the rulings like?

Gidgetimer says... #1

You can only put your commander into the command zone if it would go to exile, hand, library, or graveyard. When Xantcha's controller leaves the game the control changing effect simply ends, Xancha does not change zones.

August 3, 2018 12:01 a.m.

Kogarashi says... #2

Asked relatively recently, if I recall, right? Or at least a similar-enough question.

https://tappedout.net/mtg-questions/xantcha-sleeper-agent-edh/

August 3, 2018 1:16 a.m.

Caerwyn says... Accepted answer #3

Gidgetimer is right. When a player loses the game, first all permanents they own leave the game, then all "gains control" effects end, then all remaining permanents are exiled. Xantcha, Sleeper Agent's ability is a "gains control" effect, so it will return to you prior to being exiled. This is pretty terrible--someone with infinite mana gets to kill both your opponent and you quite easily. Rule 800.4(a).

Moving on to an academic discussion, this ability could have been worded differently so that she returns to the command zone.

Had it read "When you cast Xantcha, Sleeper Agent, choose a player. Xantha, Sleeper Agent enters the battlefield under that player's control" then your opponent will have never "gained control" of the creature and she would be exiled instead, allowing her to return to the command zone.

(This is akin to a player gaining control of an enemy-owned creature via Bribery, which 800.4(a) uses as an example as to when a card would be exiled).

August 3, 2018 4:05 p.m.

Fish_Plissken says... #4

Due to oracle text updates, this answer is no longer correct (although it was previously).

Per Gatherer: "In a multiplayer game, if Xantcha’s owner leaves the game, Xantcha leaves the game with them. If Xantcha’s controller leaves the game, Xantcha is exiled. This is a change from previous rulings due to Xantcha’s updated wording. (2019-08-23)"

June 30, 2023 5:33 p.m.

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