Does Mirage Mirror still copy a creature if it's no longer on the battlefield after you target it?
Asked by Pheardemons 6 years ago
So if I have Mirage Mirror on the battlefield with Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed. I activate Mirage Mirror's ability and target Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed, hold priority, then sacrifice Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed to his ability to return a black card from my graveyard to my hand (this will all be done during main phase one). Will Mirage Mirror still become a copy of Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed because it was targeted before it left the battlefield?
Does this combo work the way I worded it?
Pheardemons says... #2
Where does the state-based action happen in this scenario guessling?
September 4, 2017 10:17 p.m.
704.5k: two legendary permanents with the same name (Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed)
September 4, 2017 10:21 p.m.
Pheardemons says... #4
guessling In my scenario, I am sacrificing Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed BEFORE Mirage Mirror's ability resolves. This is the reason I am asking this question. If Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed is no longer on the battlefield before Mirage Mirror's resolves (but after it targets) does it still become a copy of Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed?
September 4, 2017 10:23 p.m.
"Sacrifice" is considered a cost. I think that also doesn't use the stack. I think you could respond to the graveyard ability on the stack but not the cost paid to get the ability on the stack.
September 4, 2017 10:37 p.m.
Pheardemons says... #6
Not to be rude, I'm not sure you are understanding what I am asking. But let me respond to your last comment first. Sacrificing Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed is a cost of his ability, everything you said in your last comment is true.
Now to try and clarify what I am asking
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed's ability is being activated AFTER Mirage Mirror has already targeted it. I am activating Mirage Mirror's copy ability and targeting. Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed. I will then hold priority, and sacrifice Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed to his own ability. The stack now reads (from bottom to top) Mirage Mirror's copy ability and Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed's ability. Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed's ability will resolve first getting me whatever card I want from my graveyard, then Mirage Mirror's ability will resolve. What I'm trying to ask is being that Mirage Mirror's ability actually targeted Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed as a copy, does it still become a copy of Xiahou Dun even though Xiahou Dun is no longer on the battlefield.
September 4, 2017 11:07 p.m.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #7
No. If all the targets of a spell or ability go missing or otherwise become illegal before it starts to resolve then it will be countered by the rules of the game and none of its effects will happen. Mirage Mirror won't become a copy of Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed in your example.
guessling says... #1
I don't think so. State based actions happen immediately instead of going on the stack.
Source
September 4, 2017 10:16 p.m.