Responding to resolution of spells i.e Balancing Act
Asked by CMGraves 6 years ago
My friend and I were discussing a situation. I have 10 permanents (one of which is Zombie Infestation and 20 cards in hand. My opponent has 20 permanents and 2 cards in hand. I cast Balancing Act and it resolves. My opponent sacrifices 10 permanents then I discard 18 cards to Zombie Infestation and put 9 Zombies on the field. My friend says this wouldn't be allowed because you cannot respond to the resolution by "ignoring" the effect. He says to take Thoughtseize as an example. I couldn't respond to Thoughtseize by discarding the chosen card along with another to Zombie Infestation. Likewise as another example, if I had more permanents on the field, I couldn't allow Balancing Act to resolve and then sack all my creatures to Altar of Dementia thus reducing the number of permanents I control to less than my opponents. I think my friend's right but at the same time in the first scenario, I'm not changing the outcome or "tricking" the spell as I still go down to two cards in hand. Who is correct? Thanks
darkmatter32x says... #2
608.2f If an effect gives a player the option to pay mana, he or she may activate mana abilities before taking that action. If an effect specifically instructs or allows a player to cast a spell during resolution, he or she does so by following the steps in rules 601.2ai, except no player receives priority after its cast. That spell becomes the topmost object on the stack, and the currently resolving spell or ability continues to resolve, which may include casting other spells this way. No other spells can normally be cast and no other abilities can normally be activated during resolution.
darkmatter32x says... Accepted answer #1
Once Balancing Act resolves you cannot use an ability or cast spell until it finish resolving. You only discard cards for one effect only, not both.
The best way to do that is to cast Balancing Act before it resolves and once you have the priority again, use Zombie infestation ability to discard down to two cards as you intended. Once balancing act resolves however you will have more permanents from where you started.
As for thoughtsieze scenario, once it resolves and opponent chooses a card to discard. You cannot activate Zombie infestation to discard the chosen card because thoughtsieze hasn't finished resolving.
October 14, 2017 7:12 p.m.