Is a creature a creature on the stack?
Asked by Clockwurk 7 years ago
If my opponent plays a Marionette Master, can I kill it with a removal spell on the stack, so the fabricate won't trigger? Or does this only work with certain types of removal. So basically if a creature is on the stack, can I destroy it before it resolves, or do I need to let it resolve first?
TheGreatLiar says... Accepted answer #2
wereotter is correct, but I'm going to speak directly to your example regarding Marionette Master.
While on the stack, marionette master is a spell. You can interact with a spell with things that specifically target or affect spells. Mostly counterspells, but also things like Unsubstantiate.
When marionette master resolves, the fabricate trigger will go on the stack. You can destroy the marionette master while the ability is on the stack, but that won't prevent the fabricate ability from resolving.
How this affects your play will depend on the spell you're using to kill the marionette master. If you plan to use Murder, for example, you may want to let the ability resolve. This gives them the option of putting counters on the creature, and your murder becomes an even trade (1 card for 1 card). If you plan to use Grasp of Darkness, however, your spell won't kill marionette master if your opponent chooses to put counters on her. In that case it's better to cast the spell with the fabricate ability on the stack. But when the fabricate ability resolves they will still get to choose to put servos onto the battlefield.
November 28, 2016 6:46 p.m.
And to further clarify and give a general rule on how to handle creature cards without only relying on examples: A card always has their types, so a creature will always be a creature even when not on the battlefield - however, that doesn't mean you're allowed to target it, as normally, spells that require a target creature refer to a permanent (which requires the card to be on the battlefield) of that type, not a card in any other zone. Exceptions may be defined, such as "target spell" (spells only exist on the stack, so that's the only place to target them).
Other effects that refer to creatures outside the battlefield will use the description "creature card", but when a card refers to just "creatures", it means creatures on the battlefield. You could respond to a creature spell by casting Fated Retribution, and it wouldn't destroy the spell on the stack.
wereotter says... #1
Yes and no. It's a creature spell while on the stack, so it does have the creature type when it comes to things like Essence Scatter and Negate, but because it's not yet a permanent on the field, it can not be targeted with removal spells, Murder, for example, wouldn't work until it's on the field.
November 28, 2016 6:02 p.m.