Players die instantly reaching 0 life or when the stack is empty?

Asked by fred_leff 3 years ago

Example: Opponent with Fell Specter and I play Fateful Showdown targeting my opponent for lethal damage; would he die before I discard my cards or after? Making the Fell Specter trigger and potentially kill me aswell !?

Kogarashi says... Accepted answer #1

Fell Specter will trigger, but your opponent will lose before the Fell Specter triggers would go on the stack.

A player losing the game due to having 0 life is one of the game's state-based actions (SBAs). These are checked whenever a player would receive priority. Additionally, triggers go on the stack whenever a player would receive priority, and in order for items on the stack to resolve, all players must pass priority without adding anything to the stack (this applies to each item).

What happens in your scenario is that you cast Fateful Showdown. Assuming no responses (which would go on the stack above it), Fateful Showdown then resolves in its entirety. This means that the Showdown deals the damage, which you stated to be lethal, and then you discard your hand and draw new cards. Technically Fell Specter triggers at this point, but the triggers do not go on the stack just yet since Showdown is still resolving.

Once Showdown is done resolving, the active player would receive priority again, so SBAs are checked before triggers are placed on the stack. SBAs see that your opponent is now at 0 or less life, and your opponent immediately loses the game. Since your opponent is gone, so are their triggers, which never get to go on the stack (which matters in a multiplayer game where you still have another opponent).

August 2, 2020 12:58 p.m.

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