If I Aether Vial in a Meddling Mage, is there any point where my opponent knows a Meddling Mage is coming but I haven't named a card with it yet?
Asked by SmugLookingBarrel 6 years ago
Let's say I have an Aether Vial with two counters and my opponent has an Abrupt Decay in hand. My opponent wants to use the decay on the creature I vial in, but if they know a Meddling Mage is coming, they'll decay the vial instead, since they know I will name Abrupt Decay. I know that my opponent could Abrupt Decay the vial in response to the trigger, but I don't have to show what creature I'm vialing in until the trigger resolves. Can they Abrupt Decay the Aether Vial after the vial trigger resolves but before I can name Abrupt Decay with my Meddling Mage
No, naming a card with Meddling Mage doesn't use the stack, so there's no point at which your opponent will have priority with Meddling Mage on the battlefield but before you've named a card.
MrPlague says... #1
When you tap Aether Vial its ability goes on the stack. Your opponent can target your Aether Vial in response but its ability remains on the stack. The Abrupt Decay will resolve first and then Meddling Mage enters the battle field.
Even if you got Meddling Mage out with Aether Vial in response to your opponent casting Abrupt Decay it will still resolve as it has already been cast. Meddling Mage can't stop it from resolving.
November 10, 2017 4:38 a.m. Edited.