Phantom creatures
Asked by Tekel_Brighteyes 13 years ago
I'm sorry if I put this in the wrong spot, but I'm confused on how the phantom cards work.
For example: If I play Phantom Nantuko and put an enchantment on him, does that mean he can't die? I'm sorry if this is a FAQ, but I've heard more than a few rulings on this. Thank you for any help you can give me.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #2
As long as you equip/enchant him with an ability that raises his toughness to more than zero, he will survive even with no +1/+1 counters on him.
March 26, 2012 10:55 p.m.
Tekel_Brighteyes says... #3
Thank you all so much. That's the way I was first told, but then someone said once the counters were gone they would die like normal if they took more damage than toughness. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
March 26, 2012 11:34 p.m.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #4
Unbreathing Horde works exactly the same. If, when it has no more +1/+1 counters on it, it still has at least one toughness, then it will survive and shrug off any and all damage it would take. The effect to remove additional counters is simply ignored.
If, at any time, the effect that gives Unbreathing Horde at least one toughness is removed, it will die to the state based effect of having less than one toughness.
March 26, 2012 11:48 p.m.
Ohthenoises says... #5
I really enjoy Unbreathing Horde's synergy with Undying Evil (if you have a lord out to prevent state based actions from killing it)
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #1
This is the place for rules questions, so you're good.
If there's some other effect keeping Phantom Nantuko
's toughness greater than 0, than every time he's dealt damage, his ability will prevent it. The way the ability is written, removing a counter isn't a requirement for the ability to work, it's just one of the effects. If part of an effect instructs you to do an impossible action, then the impossible instruction is just ignored.
Note that this only means he won't die from damage. "Destroy" effects, sacrifice, damage that can't be prevented, etc. will still have the normal effect on him.
March 26, 2012 10:43 p.m.