Can I use Crystal Shard to return a creature to my hand before it dies of combat damage?
Asked by Redcat7264 7 years ago
So lets say my 2/2 attacks a 1/1 with death touch. After attacking can I return my creature to my hand before it dies?
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #2
Yes, but the other creature won't die either. Your last opportunity to do this in order to save your creature is at the end of the "declare blockers" step of combat, before damage is actually dealt.
Combat damage is dealt immediately after it's assigned, with no opportunity to take actions in-between. Also, dying from lethal damage (damage equal to or greater than a creature's toughness, or any amount of damage from a source with deathtouch) is one of the game's "state-based actions". SBAs are checked and dealt with right before each time a player would get priority to take an action.
FancyTuesday says... #1
Yes, but you can't save your creature and kill your opponent's.
Damage doesn't use the stack (hasn't in a long time, at least). Lethal damage is handled by state based effects so if you wait for creatures to deal damage your creature will already be in the graveyard before you get priority back to activate Crystal Shard. You can, of course, activate Crystal Shard after attacking but before damage is done.
April 5, 2018 4:33 p.m.