Ixalan's Binding and Blossoming Defense
Asked by Argy 6 years ago
I have Ghalta, Primal Hunger on the field.
My Opponent casts Ixalan's Binding then targets it.
I play Blossoming Defense, also targetting it.
I have other Creatures on the field.
Can my Opponent now choose to target one of my other Creatures instead?
Tyrant-Thanatos says... #3
It's important to note that in order to do this properly, you need to respond to the triggered ability, not to the casting of Ixalan's Binding. The target isn't declared until the ETB ability is put onto the stack. Most players will understand that this is your intent, but for clarity sake you may consider specifying that you're responding to the trigger, and not the spell.
Additionally, because it is the etb ability that you're effectively countering, and not the spell, Ixalan's Binding will remain on the battlefield, exiling nothing.
sonnet666 says... Accepted answer #1
No.
Ixalan's Binding has a triggered ability with a single target. It's target is chosen when it is placed on the stack, which is as soon as a player would receive priority after it has entered the battlefield. Your opponent has to choose its target then and stick with it unless another effect says they can change its target.
Once your Blossoming Defense resolves, your Ghalta, Primal Hunger becomes an illegal target for the ETB, and the ability fails to resolve since all of it's targets are no longer legal.
January 22, 2018 11:22 p.m.