Does Smuggler's Copter effect trigger before or after battle?
Asked by newtoniskent 8 years ago
Just wondering if this effect can be used for certain madness spells.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #2
The combat phase is separated into a series of steps. If a spell is cast or an ability is activated/triggered in one step, it will also resolve in that same step before the game can move on to the next one. The steps of combat are:
- Beginning of Combat
- Declare Attackers
- Declare Blockers
- Combat Damage (there will be two of these if First Strike or Double Strike are involved)
- End of Combat
Smuggler's Copter's ability triggers when you declare it as an attacker or blocker, meaning the game is in either the Declare Attackers step or the Declare Blockers step. If you discard a Madness spell to the trigger and choose to cast it, that will also be happening in the same step.
October 18, 2016 6:31 p.m.
As mentioned, you can cast madness spells off it to take out blockers, but using it as a blocker hasn't really been addressed. If you are attacked and you crew the copter to block, you can discard a creature with madness and cast it, but it will be too late to block with the new creature because you already declared blockers.
October 21, 2016 3:43 a.m.
That's true, however if the spell you cast is either of the two I mentioned, those spells will resolve before damage resolves, potentially allowing you to take out the attacker without having your copter take any damage, or allowing your copter to trade with a much larger creature. Like if you madness Fiery Temper when it blocks, you could potentially trade off with a creature that has 6 toughness, which is pretty good. Your copter could, in theory, take out something like a Torrential Gearhulk upon being declared a blocker and damage resolving, assuming there are no other effects in play, which may be worth it depending on the board state at the time.
wereotter says... #1
Just a side note before the answer, please be sure to link cards in future questions with double brackets, it makes it easier for others to answer the question :)
But Smuggler's Copter has a triggered effect once it's declared as an attacker or as a blocker, so you will be able to take advantage of its loot effect before blockers are declared, and can use its trigger even if your opponent uses a spell like Celestial Flare. As far as madness, yes, this will be able to trigger it, so you would be able to use Welcome to the Fold or Fiery Temper to remove a potential blocker before its even declared.
October 18, 2016 3:09 p.m.