Exhume Help!
Asked by Gzuis 7 years ago
I always wondered about this kind of interaction.
If the opponent does not have a card to return to the battlefield, is the Exhume effect wasted?
I mean, is it a mandatory condition of the card or if my opponent does not have the card to return is just too bad for him... not my problem right? :D
TheVectornaut says... Accepted answer #2
I believe the confusion here is caused by the fact that some instants and sorcery spells target things, and without legal targets, they cannot be cast. However, Exhume is not one of those cards. You can tell because of this ruling (from MTG Salvation):
"114.1a An instant or sorcery spell is targeted if its spell ability identifies something it will affect by using the phrase target [something], where the something is a phrase that describes an object, player, or zone. The target(s) are chosen as the spell is cast [...]"
Exhume does not include the phrasing "target [something]" and can therefore be cast regardless of whether you or your opponent has a creature in the yard. When it resolves, the choices will be made in APNAP order. See:
"608.2d If an effect of a spell or ability offers any choices other than choices already made as part of casting the spell, activating the ability, or otherwise putting the spell or ability on the stack, the player announces these while applying the effect. The player cant choose an option thats illegal or impossible [...]" And:
"608.2e Some spells and abilities have multiple steps or actions, denoted by separate sentences or clauses, that involve multiple players. In these cases, the choices for the first action are made in APNAP order, and then the first action is processed simultaneously."
You, as the active player, will get to choose a creature in your graveyard to return. Then, your opponent will be given a chance to choose. With no creature cards in the grave, choosing a card will be an impossible action, so they are forced to select nothing. Then, the effect is applied, returning only your creature to the battlefield.
At least, this is how I understand it. I'd love to get more confirmation from the Gatherer page on Exhume, but the site is currently down for maintenance.
January 24, 2017 1:54 p.m.
nobu_the_bard says... #3
There's no specific rulings on Exhume because it is not atypical in this regard.
Every player who can, must. Exhume is not an optional effect. If all they have in their graveyard is Vastwood Hydra who immediately just dies again (since he'll enter as a 0/0 since X=0), that's unfortunate for them.
If players can't do it, the game can't make you take an impossible action, so that aspect doesn't happen. Spells do as much as they can though, so every player who can take that action does even if someone can't.
Spells do need valid targets, but Exhume doesn't specify targets, so not a problem. Go ahead and cast it when everyone has empty graveyards or something.
January 24, 2017 10:05 p.m.
Raging_Squiggle says... #4
TheVectornaut is correct.
Spells do only as much as they legally can. (This is slightly different when it comes to targeted spells, but I digress). Exhume will try to recur a creature from your opponent's graveyard. But since there isn't one in there, it simply won't happen. Each other player in the game will get a creature back, assuming they have one in the 'yard.
ZomBee_Hunt says... #1
Exactly. If he does not have anything to return to the filed then guess he misses out. IF he has one, then he has to do it.
January 24, 2017 1:29 p.m.