Do state-based actions break infinite loops?
Asked by Xavier4238 10 years ago
I was under the impression (actually, I still am under the impression) that if a player goes infinite with an unbreakable combo (Let's use the age-old Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond ), lifetotals will be checked when a player reaches 0 as a state-based action, and end the game. However, multiple people (A significant number, otherwise I would not be unsure) have claimed that the game can never end due to priority not being passed. Whilst I understand that priority cannot be passed, as far as I am aware that does not prevent state-based actions? Can I please get a definite ruling with fully backed up evidence? Much appreciated folks.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #2
Because you wanted rules.
608.1. Each time all players pass in succession, the spell or ability on top of the stack resolves. (See rule 609, "Effects.")
704.3. Whenever a player would get priority (see rule 116, "Timing and Priority"), the game checks for any of the listed conditions for state-based actions, then performs all applicable state-based actions simultaneously as a single event. If any state-based actions are performed as a result of a check, the check is repeated; otherwise all triggered abilities that are waiting to be put on the stack are put on the stack, then the check is repeated. Once no more state-based actions have been performed as the result of a check and no triggered abilities are waiting to be put on the stack, the appropriate player gets priority. This process also occurs during the cleanup step (see rule 514), except that if no state-based actions are performed as the result of the step's first check and no triggered abilities are waiting to be put on the stack, then no player gets priority and the step ends.
April 25, 2015 9:20 a.m.
Xavier4238 says... #3
Thanks Epoch, I am very appreciative that you've taken the time to answer this. Next time an issue comes up, I will link here and save time and shenanigans.
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Epochalyptik says... #1
Except priority is passed.
In order for any spell, triggered ability, or activated ability (excluding mana abilities) to resolve, all players must pass priority in succession. When that happens, the topmost object on the stack resolves.
State-based actions are checked any time a player would receive priority.
Exquisite Blood and Sanguine Bond have abilities that trigger each other, but you still have to pass priority in order to resolve one ability and trigger the next. SBAs will also be checked before the newly-triggered ability is even put onto the stack. Therefore, SBAs will remove any dead players from the game before the game can continue.
April 25, 2015 9:18 a.m.