Nivix Cyclops and polymorph like cards.
Asked by Bobby654 9 years ago
Here's what happened. I used Dragonshift on my Nivix Cyclops. Then I used Teleportal on it. does Nivix Cyclops's ability work before Dragonshift making him a 8/4 or did I hit my opponent with a 5/4?
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #2
The key here is not the order in which things resolve, but the order in which all of these static effects apply. When multiple static effects would apply to an object, they are applied using the layer system. Effects that set P/T to an exact amount are always applied before effects that merely modify P/T, such as counters, buffs, and swaps.
In this case, Dragonshift sets P/T while Nivix Cyclops's ability and Teleportal buff it. Therefore, you first turn Nivix Cyclops into a 4/4 and then apply +3 and +1 buffs.
Note that you could have attacked with an 11/4 if you cast Teleportal first, then responded with Dragonshift. "Can't be blocked" (formerly "is unblockable") is a quality and not an ability of the Teleportaled creature, so it won't lose that quality while Dragonshifted.
dragonstryke58 says... #1
You hit with an 8/4 dragon.
Note that Nivix Cyclops's ability triggers when an instant or sorcery is cast. The spell which triggered his ability doesn't necessarily need to resolve in order for him to gain his effect. So even if Dragonshift didn't resolve, his triggered ability would still remain on the stack (above Dragonshift I might add) unless it was also countered in some way.
Also from the gatherer (in regards to Dragonshift): Effects that modify the power or toughness of an affected creature, such as the effects of Phytoburst or Legion's Initiative, will apply to it no matter when they started to take effect. The same is true for counters that change the creature's power or toughness (such as +1/+1 counters) and effects that switch its power and toughness.
So the +3/+0 from the Nivix Cyclops's ability is still is still modifying the dragon. Therefore the 4/4 dragon + the +3/+0 from Nivix Cyclops's triggered ability + the +1/+0 from the Teleportal = 8/4 dragon.
October 21, 2015 7:48 a.m. Edited.