Sphinx Ambassador vs Future Sight

Asked by chosenone124 6 years ago

My opponent has a Future Sight and a very powerful creature on top of their library. I hit them with Sphinx Ambassador.

Will that creature remain on top of their library during the naming process if I don't pick it, and can they look at their top card?

Jaymspeights says... #1

A very interesting question. I'm not sure what the right answer is but this might be the relevant rule -

401.5. Some effects tell a player to play with the top card of his or her library revealed, or say that a player may look at the top card of his or her library. If the top card of the players library changes while a spell is being cast, the new top card wont be revealed and cant be looked at until the spell becomes cast (see rule 601.2i). The same is true with relation to an ability being activated

This seems to imply that they would be able to know whether or not you chose the top card until the spell is finished resolving

June 16, 2017 1:28 a.m.

chosenone124 says... #2

Well, what about Sphinx Ambassador's interaction with Lens of Clarity? Card effects always take precedence over the rules, and the reminder text of Lens of Clarity states "You may [look at the top card of your library] at any time."

June 16, 2017 1:31 a.m. Edited.

Jaymspeights says... #3

Hmm... this is a very interesting interaction haha.

Reading the rule I cited more closely, I think it is actually intended to relate to casting cards off the top of your library, as it says becomes cast rather than resolves.

There is a ruling that the order of the library must remain the same after shuffling, so it seems the owner would be able to see the top card before having to name a card.

7/15/2006: While searching your library, you must keep your library in the same order until you shuffle it. This order could matter if you tap Millikin for mana, for example, to pay for a Panglacial Wurm you cast from your library.

June 16, 2017 2:01 a.m.

Neotrup says... Accepted answer #4

It is interesting. You have to maintain library order while searching, and you don't actually change the zone the card is in until they guess. It's still the top card of their library and is still revealed. You have to make it clear what card you've chosen, so I'd imagine if you chose their top card it would be revealed which one you chose before they named a card.

June 16, 2017 2:28 a.m.

chosenone124 says... #5

So they need to clearly designate the card they choose without indicating its position in the deck. I guess they could write the name of the card they select on a separate piece of paper. Or they could flip the card upside down relation to the other cards in the deck (if you flip the top card upside down your opponent wouldn't know unless they were using asymmetrical card sleeves, and assuming they can't see any card back in their deck other than the top card)

June 16, 2017 2:39 a.m.

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