Do I choose the order -1/-1 counters are placed on all creatures? (Black Sun's Zenith counters)

Asked by emeryhonor316 9 years ago

Black Sun's Zenith places X -1/-1 counters on each creature, hopefully enough to clear the board. However, say I want my general Glissa, the Traitor to die last so her ability can trigger before she also dies. I know if I cast something like Decree of Pain I could choose for Glissa to die last. Is this the same with the mass distribution of -1/-1 counters? Can I choose Glissa to die last by waiting to put counters on her for Black Sun's Zenith ? (Originally posted to the wrong location, reposted from the blind eternities forum)

Gidgetimer says... #1

You have a bit of a misconception about Decree of Pain . It destroys all the creatures at the same time, but for the purposes of zone change triggers if multiple things move zones at the same time they each see each other moving zones and so will trigger.

Black Sun's Zenith works in much the same manner. All of the -1/-1 counters are placed at the same time and SBA destroy them at the same time so the zone change trigger will trigger.

October 17, 2014 9:55 p.m.

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #2

The counters are all placed simultaneously, but that isn't what matters here. The creatures all die simultaneously because they die in the same state-based action check.

It's ultimately irrelevant, though. Whenever multiple permanents enter or leave the battlefield simultaneously, they all "see" each other entering and leaving, and abilities will trigger for each one accordingly. Glissa, the Traitor 's ability will trigger for each creature that an opponent controls that dies.

Same with Decree of Pain . If no order is specified, then the entire set of affected objects is affected simultaneously.

October 17, 2014 9:57 p.m.

This discussion has been closed