Does copying Kuldotha Forgemaster's activated ability allow/force you to sacrifice three more artifacts?

Asked by CamraMaan 2 years ago

I want to copy Kuldotha Forgemaster's activated ability with Lithoform Engine, both to get the extra search and to sacrifice three more artifacts for future recursion for a storm spell. Will it only copy the search? My assumption is yes, and I cannot sacrifice three more artifacts like this.

And not that I would, unless feeling desperate (maybe my deck has been milled low on options?), but can I resolve the first one, search, put the artifact into play, then copy the search, sacrifice the artifact I just put into play, to then search again? Thanks in advance! :)

Neotrup says... Accepted answer #1

When you copy an activated ability, you don't copy the cost, that is, you get the effect after the colon twice, even though you only paid the part before it once. In order for Lithoform Engine to target the ability, it will still need to be on the stack, you cannot wait for it to resolve, so you won't be able to search before activating it.

November 13, 2021 12:26 a.m.

Polaris says... #2

To activate the ability, you tap Kuldotha Forgemaster and sacrifice three artifacts. Once you announce you are activating the ability, no one (including you) can respond until you finish paying the costs and put it on the stack.

Once the activated ability on the stack, Lithoform Engine's ability can target it. If you activate Lithoform Engine for this, you'll make a copy of the ability without activating it again (that is, you'll have a second "search for an artifact" effect on the stack). You do not sacrifice any more artifacts.

As Neotrup says, you also can't search and then copy the ability. Once the ability starts resolving, you can't respond until it's done (that is, you've taken all of its actions). Once you search for the artifact and put it into play, Kuldotha Forgemaster's ability finishes resolving and leaves the stack, so there will be nothing for Lithoform Engine to target.

November 13, 2021 5:40 a.m.

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