Can I block with a Heavy Ballista then tap it to fire?
Asked by UniqueUserID 11 years ago
Seems like the rules have changed over the years, can I block with the Heavy Ballista then fire at the attacking creature or any other attacking creature?
UniqueUserID says... #3
Does the Heavy Ballista also do battle damage ontop? So 4 damage total?
July 25, 2013 1:09 p.m.
GreatSword says... #4
Yes, it will still deal damage equal to its power when the combat damage step happens.
July 25, 2013 1:11 p.m.
harrydemon117 says... #6
That is correct. The following scenario explains what you are expecing:
Player A attacks with a Dawnstrike Paladin
Both players pass priority and move on to declare blockers step
Player B declares a blocker with Heavy Ballista to the Dawnstrike Paladin
Player A decides what (if anything) he will do then passes priority back
If the Heavy Ballista is still on the battlefield you can tap it (as long as it doesn't have summoning sickness) to deal 2 damage to Dawnstrike Paladin
State based actions are checked and since the paladin is not dead play continues in this phase
Both creatures deal damage to each other (assuming no other effects were put onto the stack here), and Dawnstrike Paladin dies after state based actions are checked and notices that it's at 0 toughness
July 25, 2013 1:14 p.m.
UniqueUserID says... #7
Interesting! What happens if a Heavy Ballista is fighting a Cobblebrute ? Does the Tap Damage kill it before it can deal combat damage back?
July 25, 2013 1:20 p.m.
Yes, it does, although the term "fighting" is now reserved, so it would be better to say blocking.
July 25, 2013 1:22 p.m.
UniqueUserID says... #9
Many thanks all! Shame I can't give out multiple correct answers.
July 25, 2013 1:26 p.m.
harrydemon117 says... #10
The term "fighting" refers to a new mechanic in green from cards like Prey Upon whereas they deal damage equal to their power directly to each other (during main phase and NOT during combat).
If you were to block with the ballista, you could tap it to deal damage to the Cobblebrute instead of them dealing combat damage to each other.
On the other hand, if they attack with a smaller creature AND Cobblebrute you could block the smaller creature with the ballista, then tap it to deal damage to the Cobblebrute thus taking care of both creatures
Again this is assuming that the ballista does not have summoning sickness...
GreatSword says... Accepted answer #1
You sure can. There is a round of priority between every step of Combat (Beginning of combat, Declare attackers, Declare blockers, Combat damage, End of combat). You can declare your Heavy Ballista as a blocker then activate its ability when you have priority.
July 25, 2013 1:07 p.m.