Question regarding Tokens
General forum
Posted on Feb. 1, 2015, 4:29 a.m. by Thundagawd
When tokens are destroyed, does it count as "sending a creature to the graveyard"? cards like Sun's Bounty and Grim Harvest have their Recover mechanic trigger when a creature is sent to the graveyard, but tokens kinda just stop existing once they're destroyed, sorta like they get Exiled. I recall reading somewhere that tokens DO go to the graveyard when destroyed, and then get immediately Exiled once they reach there, but I can't seem to find the ruling supporting this.
Also, if someone plays something like AEther Adept and uses it's ability on a token, would it also count as "destroying" a token? Token's can't be returned to a player's hand since they're not actually cards, so they die, but I'm not sure about the specifics regarding this.
On that same note, is it possible to bring a destroyed token back with something like Adarkar Valkyrie if her effect is used the same turn immediately after a token is destroyed, or do tokens just straight up stop existing within the game once they get destroyed?
Just read the cards in question. No, neither grim bounty or suns harvest can put your tokens back onto the field .
February 1, 2015 4:43 a.m.
Thundagawd says... #4
@kyuuri117
Regarding the Recovery mechanic Sun's Bounty & Grim Harvest have, I was referring to whether or not the destruction of a token would cause the mechanic to trigger, not if those cards could be used to resuscitate tokens. Recovery allows you to retrieve the card that has the effect if you pay the required cost once a creature gets sent to your graveyard otherwise the card is exiled, I was wondering if token death counted since I wasn't sure whether or not tokens actually went to the graveyard since they're not physically there once they die, but you pretty much answered my question regarding that lol, thanks!
February 1, 2015 4:53 a.m.
razvaniorga says... #5
Tokens do go to whatever zone they're sent to immediately after they're sent there, so Recover does trigger with a token being sent to the graveyard, but once it hits the graveyard/hand/exile/library/wherever, the token ceases to exist as a state-based action, so before the next time priority is given to any player, the token will cease to exist. That means that they can't be the target of spells or abilities, such as that of Adarkar Valkyrie, and they won't be brought back by any triggered abilities such as having Undying from Undying Evil. Hope that's helpful!
February 1, 2015 5:37 a.m.
razvaniorga says... #6
Also, AEther Adept doesn't "destroy" the token per se; it returns it to hand, where it immediately ceases to exist as a state-based action.
February 1, 2015 5:39 a.m.
Thundagawd says... #7
I see, all right, thanks for the explanations. Starting playing again after almost a decade since some friends have started to get into MTG, and a lot of questions regarding what happens when tokens get Destroyed/Exiled/Returned To Hand were asked, and I'd forgotten all the specifics surrounding this particular feature haha, thanks for clarifying all of this!
February 1, 2015 6:26 a.m.
Hjaltrohir says... #8
Tokens do go into the graveyards so they will trigger recover. ONce tokens are placed anywhere other than the battlefield, they cease to exist.
February 1, 2015 10:51 a.m.
alexthegreat38 says... #9
Creature tokens can only exist while on the battlefield. So, when sent to a zone other than the battlefield, they will go there and trigger any "return to hand" or "enter the graveyard/dies" triggers, and then cease to exist. They aren't even exiled, technically.
kyuuri117 says... #2
Uh, not a judge or anything but as far as last question, no. Once a token ceases to exist, you can't get it back with a recursion spell.
And tokens do go to the graveyard when they die. They then in immediately leave the game. Graveyard triggers should work I think, but it might depend on the wording.
February 1, 2015 4:42 a.m.