Gameplay etiquette and Scrapheap Scrounger

Asked by Xavkul 7 years ago

Just some game play etiquette questions that I want to hear some other people opinions on. Sorry if I'm asking several questions.

  1. There are times when I cast Scrapheap Scrounger and they don't attack me even if i'm tapped out. They could be planning something, but I wonder if they don't know that I can't block with it. Who's responsibility is that?

  2. I cut decks about 5 times. My habit. Just wanted to make sure this was fine.

  3. What happens if you miss a static trigger ability? Say Thalia, Heretic Cathar. If my opponent plays a creature and I don't notice until my turn, can I correct it?

Neotrup says... Accepted answer #1

  1. You are not responsible for pointing out the abilities on your cards. If the ask about the abilities you should let them read the card, or (especially if you're using a foreign language printing) tell them the abilities. If you're playing with a group of friends, it would be friendly to remind them it can't block, but at FMN, there's no real reason to give your opponent advice, except maybe to be friendly after the match is over.

  2. Depends on the setting. At a tournament (including FNM) your allowed to shuffle, cut multiple times, or even call over a judge to shuffle if the event has one. If your opponent complains, you can call over the judge or event organizer to give a ruling on whether you can preform your five cut method. In a more casual setting, the real question is if your friends are getting annoyed with you.

  3. This one is actually very dependent on the setting. I couldn't find a ruling for static abilities (like Thalia, Heretic Cathar), but I could find one for triggered abilities (like Tireless Tracker). According to game rules you are required to take the action if it is not a "may" ability. This means backing the game up to that point, taking the action, and continuing play from that point. However in a tournament setting if you take any action after missing the trigger, you cannot correct that as you are responsible for remembering your triggers. If your opponent notices you missed the trigger they can insist you go back and take the action, but this will usually only come up if it's a detrimental trigger.

January 21, 2017 3:42 a.m.

vic says... #2

  1. In a casual setting I would be annoyed by that. Also by people shuffling the ink off of their cards.
January 21, 2017 5:58 a.m.

vic says... #3

I had that as 2. not 1. Looks like the formatting changed it for me.

January 21, 2017 5:59 a.m.

metalmagic says... #4

Neotrup's answers for your first two questions are more than satisfactory, but I'd like to elaborate a bit on your third question. First of all, there is no such thing as a 'static trigger ability;' it's simply a static ability. Second, in a tournament setting this isn't etiquette. Maintaining the game state is a requirement of both/all players. If no other action has been taken since that creature came into play, it's perfectly logical to tap it. If combat has happened, players have cast spells, etc., then it gets a bit trickier.

If you're playing at a Competitive REL event, your opponent and you will definitely get warnings for Gameplay Error (opponent) and Failure to Maintain Game State (you) if a judge has to be called to correct it, if it's at a reasonable point. If too much has happened since the point of the error, you will still get warnings, but it's entirely possible the judge won't tap it since it could have influenced decisions.

At FNM (Regular REL), resolution of stuff like this is much easier since most FNMs don't have an on-duty judge, and you'll generally just make your opponent tap it. In the case of no available judge, you'll just have to make sure you and your opponent agree that's what should happen, and continue with your turn. I hope this helped, and if you would like me to try to elaborate a bit more, I will gladly do so. Also, if you are satisfied with the answers, don't forget to select a response (Neotrup's since he answered more) as having answered your post.

January 21, 2017 6:49 a.m.

Rhadamanthus says... #5

@metalmagic: It's the other way around for the Game Rule Violation vs. Failure to Maintain Game State. Whoever controls Thalia, Heretic Cathar has the primary responsibility for making sure their opponent's creatures and nonbasics enter tapped. If both players miss it, Thalia's controller will get the GRV and the opponent will get FtMGS. If someone is ignoring it on purpose in order to gain an advantage... that's another problem entirely (Cheating).

January 21, 2017 10:33 a.m.

Schuesseled says... #6

  1. It's entirely your opponents responsibility and choice whether or not to attack. You can point out that your guy can't block if you like, this is usually a good way to trick people tapping out themselves and then alpha strike them next turn for lethal, ahahahahahahaha.

  2. In a tournament cut how you want, in a casual match, don't cut. Ever. Don't be that person.

  3. Play goes back to the point of the missed trigger (if not a may ability, in which case it's tough luck) where possible. There's probably formal rules for this in a tournament, including penalties and whatnot, in a casual match, I'm always happy to note the error and carry on without making changes if it's too complicated to undo.

January 21, 2017 10:55 a.m. Edited.

metalmagic says... #7

You're right. Rules at 5am might not be my forte.

January 21, 2017 12:35 p.m.

Also, in the future, please ask unrelated questions in separate threads.

January 21, 2017 1:27 p.m.

Xavkul says... #9

Will do! Thanks!

January 21, 2017 11:43 p.m.

This discussion has been closed