Illusionist's Gambit and Master of Cruelties
Asked by Delmare 8 years ago
If someone attacks with Master of Cruelties and I use Illusionist's Gambit will the life total still go down to 1 or will it stay the same?
nobu_the_bard says... #2
Time Stop would also exile the effect, though that's like saying a nuclear missile could be used to kill a rabbit.
July 29, 2015 6:57 p.m.
FancyTuesday says... #3
I'm wondering if it's possible to use Illusionist's Gambit before Master of Cruelties triggers. Gatherer offers the following:
An ability that triggers when something "attacks and isn't blocked" triggers in the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if (1) that creature is attacking and (2) no creatures are declared to block it. It will trigger even if that creature was put onto the battlefield attacking rather than having been declared as an attacker in the declare attackers step.
This implies that there's a point in the declare blockers step before blockers are declared where the game has not moved to the point of determining that "no blockers have been declared" and I'm wondering if players can cast spells at that time. Players receive priority at the beginning of steps and phases, could the defending player not simply cast Illusionist's Gambit before the game moves to the point that Master of Cruelties would trigger? Similarly, would Choking Vines or any other timing-sensitive spell be unable to stop Master of Cruelties from triggering?
July 29, 2015 7:32 p.m. Edited.
filledelanuit says... #4
Please ask new questions in new threads.
None of those cards are going to stop Master of Cruelties.
At the beginning of the declare blockers step there are two turn based actions: declaring blockers and declaring the damage assignment order (if applicable). After those turn based actions are completed Master of Cruelties triggers but the trigger is not yet put on the stack. Then state based effects are checked. After they have been checked triggers go on the stack and players regain priority. There is no point at which a player has priority during the declare blockers step before the trigger goes on the stack thus Illusionist's Gambit and Choking Vines won't work.
If Master of Cruelties had an intervening if clause (Ex. When Master of Cruelties attacks, if he is unblocked, then do stuff) then cards like Illusionist's Gambit and Choking Vines would stop the trigger but he doesn't so you'll have to find other ways.
filledelanuit says... Accepted answer #1
The player who is being attacked will still go down to one. Master of Cruelties's ability triggers at the beginning of the declare blockers step if he isn't blocked and you cannot cast Illusionist's Gambit until after the trigger goes on the stack. Once it is on the stack the only way to stop it from resolving is a card like Stifle, removing it from combat with Illusionist's Gambit won't work
July 29, 2015 4:41 p.m.