Inalla + Strionic Resonator
Asked by alulien 1 year ago
I love my Inalla, Archmage Ritualist deck and I'm looking to include Strionic Resonator to double the Eminence token proc. I know this is a valid interaction, but what I don't know is if the "...you may choose other targets for this copy." text on Resonator + "Trigger. If you do, create a token that's a copy..." on Inalla means I can target a Wizard that is already on the battlefield. I believe it can, I'm looking at it like this:
- Eminence procs and goes on the stack when a Wizard enters the battlefield
- Strionic Resonator copies that ability on the stack, and since the trigger has already occurred, I'm free to copy any Wizard on the battlefield
Thanks for moving the post, Caerwyn.
I'm not sure I agree with the way you're reading Inalla's trigger. The trigger, which requires a Wizard to ETB is a separate clause, separated by a period, from the token clause. They are independent clauses:
- "Whenever another nontoken Wizard enters the battlefield under your control, (Eminence), you may pay ."
- "If you do, create a token that's a copy of that Wizard."
Wouldn't Strionic Resonator, as written, allow me to change the target of the second clause when I put it on the stack? Why not? Your answer says it copies whatever triggered the ability, which makes sense, but I'm saying Strionic can (should be able to?) change that target.
October 11, 2022 10:15 a.m. Edited.
Anything with a target (other than a few fringe exceptions like mutate and auras, where "target" is found in the rules for the mechanic) will use the word "target" in the text of the spell or ability.
Inalla does not use the word target in its ability and therefore has no targets. Since the ability does not target anything, there are no targets to change with Resonator, and thus it copies the creature the original ability referenced.
Compare to Delina, Wild Mage's triggered ability, which specifically targets a creature. If you used Resonator on Delina, you would be able to copy a different creature than the original trigger as you could change the target.
October 11, 2022 10:22 a.m. Edited.
Oh geez, I was in my head reading “target Wizard” and not “that Wizard” even though I typed it out. Wow, thanks for pointing that out 2 different ways for this dense guy lol.
Caerwyn says... #1
For future reference, there is a Rules Q&A section of the website for questions about rules, cards, and card interactions. That section has some added functionalities, such as the ability to mark an answer when your question is resolved and some databasing that helps future users with similar questions. I have gone ahead and moved this thread for you.
To answer your question, this does not work in the manner you think it does. Inalla's ability does not target the Wizard it is copying--it simply copies whatever triggered the ability. As such, there is no way to "choose other targets for this copy". Both the initial Inalla trigger and the duplicated trigger will produce copies of the Wizard that entered the battlefield.
October 11, 2022 10:04 a.m. Edited.