Ajani Steadfast Emblem

Asked by Mythwind 5 years ago

I have a friend that in a game was able to ultimate Ajani Steadfast and get the emblem "If a source would deal damage to you or a planeswalker you control, prevent all but 1 of that damage."

So when I attacked with two creatures 2/2 that both had double strike, unblocked, I expected he would agree I dealt 4 damage total at end of combat... but he argues that they were only two sources and that it was 2 damage total.

I mentionted that first strike and normal combat damage were two different instances of damage, and that the emblem would apply to each damage instance... but he was firm ... saying it was by source... that even if I had Pestilence that I could only do 1 damage if I activated it multiple times....

Who was right?

Caerwyn says... Accepted answer #1

You were correct. Ajani’s Emblem creates modifies how damage is done. This modification will happen whenever a source deals damage to the opponent, regardless of wherever said source has already dealt damage that turn.

Edit: Of note, these two damages take place in completely different steps. It is not as if it is the creature dealing twice its toughness - there is an entire round of priority between first and regular damage.

August 16, 2018 7:35 p.m. Edited.

rei10 says... #2

I believe that you are correct. Since the damage is dealt separately, it should be four. I can't find the exact rule that says this, but you are correct. If you attacked again with the same two creatures next turn they would still be the same source, but would deal damage again and the emblem would not completely stop the attack.

August 16, 2018 7:39 p.m.

Neotrup says... #3

Each instance of damage being dealt will have the replacement effect applied to that instance. Ajani Steadfast doesn't specify each turn, so by your friends argument once a creature hits him it can never deal damage to him again, which is pretty obviously ridiculous, so it's understandable that you just prevent all but one each time a source tries to damage him, once during first strike, and once during regular.

August 17, 2018 2:45 a.m.

Mythwind says... #4

Thanks guys, you Rock!

August 18, 2018 9:22 a.m.

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