Can I pay more life than the amount of cards left in my library with Necropotence?
Asked by Pheardemons 8 years ago
The reason I ask is because I am curious if combos with Near-Death Experience.
Raging_Squiggle says... #2
A spell or ability does as much as it legally can while it resolves. If something can't happen because it's no longer legal or impossible to do, it simply "skips" that and continues resolving.
(note this does not always apply to cards that target something. Specifically if all targets for the spell or ability become illegal)
Example: you cast Thoughtseize on a hellbent opponent. You cannot choose a card because there is none. So it skips that and you simply lose 2 life.
Example: you activate Necropotence while having 0 cards in your library. The ability will resolve and do as much as it can. Since you can't exile a card that isn't there the ability simply does nothing at all.
Lame_Duck says... Accepted answer #1
Yes, in much the same way that you can target an opponent with a Thoughtseize, even if they have no cards in hand. Exiling the cards is part of the effect of Necropotence's ability, not its cost, so there's no requirement that the ability actually has to do anything for you to activate it.
December 8, 2016 7:48 p.m.