Balan and instant speed equipment
Asked by Monomanamaniac 5 years ago
So I have Balan, Wandering Knight in my command zone and 6 mana. I cast the commander and opponent goes to interrupt by countering my commander. In response I activate Balan, giving him Swiftfoot Boots and Darksteel Plate. My thoughts are that those get equipped and whatever counter or destroy target effect just fizzles. The part I'm confused on is can I activate his ability while I'm casting him and can an equipment be placed on a creature while it is essentially still a spell
While we're at it, not only is a creature spell not a legal target for equip abilities (because it's a spell, not a permanent), you can't activate the ability of a permanent before it's on the battlefield, unless it specifically says it can be activated in a different zone (such as Reassembling Skeleton, where the ability can be activated in the graveyard).
While Balan, Wandering Knight is on the stack, you can't activate its ability at all. It's still a spell waiting to resolve. You'll have to protect it from counterspells some other way.
Once it's on the field, if your opponent targets it with Murder, Unsummon, etc., you can activate Balan's ability in response to give it whatever equipment you have out, and if it's something defensive, it will save him (Shroud/Hexproof means he's no longer a legal target, Indestructible saves him from destroy effects, etc.).
March 31, 2020 6:53 p.m.
Monomanamaniac says... #3
Thanks guys, I've had to deal with the situation of murder effects before and dodged them, but not with counterspells. Glad I found out before I fell prey to it
jaymc1130 says... #1
A creature spell on the stack isn’t in play and therefore isn’t a legal target for equip abilities. A creature must resolve and be in play in order to be equipped or enchanted with an aura.
Instant speed equipping can save a creature from removal effects (depending on the circumstances) but not from permission elements such as Counterspell, Remand, or Mindbreak Trap.
March 31, 2020 5:15 p.m.