Dealing with indestructible creatures in standard

Asked by randomthing 7 years ago

While at an FNM tonight, I had to call a judge in regards to an interaction with Sylvan Advocate,Archangel Avacyn  Flip, and Grasp of Darkness. Here's the play:

I attack with my Sylvan Advocate, and he blocks with his own. Both Sylvan Advocate are 4/5. After blocks and damage, I cast Grasp of Darkness on his Sylvan Advocate. He flashes in his Archangel Avacyn  Flip. Does his Advocate survive thanks to indestructible? Or is it irrelivent thanks to the -4/-4?

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1

If his Sylvan Advocate was a 4/5, then Grasp of Darkness would reduce it to a 0/1. It would have 4 damage marked on it, but indestructible from Archangel Avacyn  Flip's ETB ability would keep it alive.

May 28, 2016 12:21 a.m.

sonnet666 says... #2

It survives.

After combat your opponent's Sylvan Advocate is a 4/5 with 4 damage marked on it. Not enough to kill it.

You cast Grasp of Darkness in order to reduce it to a 0/1 with 4 damage marked on it, which would be enough to kill it.

However, since your opponent flashes Archangel Avacyn  Flip in response, when everything resolves your opponent's Sylvan Advocate is an indestructible 0/1 with 4 damage marked on it, and indestructible creatures do not die from having lethal damage assigned to them.

May 28, 2016 12:24 a.m.

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