Merfolk Looter and blocking
Asked by jfletch 13 years ago
If I declare a creature with a tap ability (e.g. Merfolk Looter) as a blocker and then tap it to activate its ability, is the damage still on the Merfolk Looter and will it thus die? Can I even do this at this time? Help!
GoblinsInc says... #2
Declare blockers step begins. You declare your blockers, declaring Merfolk Looter blocking creature "Foo". Then once assigning blockers is all done, the active player gets priority. When he passes, you decide to activate merfolk looter's ability, tapping him while paying the cost.When the ability resolves, you draw a card, then discard a card.Both players pass priority, and the game moves to the combat damage step.First thing, combat damage is assigned, then dealt, and Merfolk Looter takes lethal damage and dies the next time State-Based Actions are performed. Merfolk Looter also deals 1 damage to the attacking creature, as being tapped will not remove him from combat.
April 24, 2012 8 p.m.
BrokenZygoma says... #4
Only attacking would prevent you from activating a tap ability. Unless of course it has vigilance which you can then attack, then tap the creature as well, activating its ability.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1
Unless otherwise stated, activated abilities may be activated at any time you could cast an instant. Also, tapping or untapping a creature does not remove it from combat.
If you declare the Merfolk Looter
as a blocker and then activate its ability, the ability will resolve and the Looter will still be blocking. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the Looter will deal and be dealt combat damage and likely die.
April 24, 2012 7:59 p.m.