The Monstrosity mechanic, if it's copied, can it target the same creature twice, or would the first resolve and rule out the copy?

Asked by LordVonChimp 4 years ago

Unbound Flourishing + any creature with X cost monstrosity. UF lets you copy and X ability, monstrosity states it can only become monstrous if it's not already monstrous.

I'm trying to work out whether I can target the same creature with the copy and get the counters, if the first will stop the copy, if I can target a creature that doesn't have the monstrosity mechanic printed on it, and if another creature already has +1/+1 counters on it, would they stop the monstrosity resolving on it.

Caerwyn says... Accepted answer #1

Monstrosity does not target - as such, there is no target on the copy to be changed, and Monstrosity, both the original and the copy, will only effect the creature who activated the ability.

While you will copy the ability, only the first one resolving has an effect. Monstrosity has a conditional phrase as part of its resolution: "If this permanent isn't monstrous, put N +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous."

When the ability resolves, it first checks to see whether or not the creature is monstrous. The copy will resolve first, since it was put on the stack second. When it resolves, it will check and see the creature is not monstrous, so will put the +1/+1 counters on the creature and make it monstrous. When the original ability resolves, it will check to see if the creature is monstrous, see that it is monstrous, and then have no additional effect.

July 15, 2019 9:06 a.m.

LordVonChimp says... #2

Thanks for the answer, half way there now :)

I was getting the copy to a new target from Unbound Flourishing , it's second ability says; "Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell or activate an ability, if that spell's mana cost or that ability's activation cost contains {X}, copy that spell or ability. You may choose new targets for the copy."

So figured I would be able to transfer the copy of Monstrosity to another creature, or does the lack of targeting on Monstrosity nerf that idea all together?

July 15, 2019 9:14 a.m.

LordVonChimp says... #3

oh wait, i've re-read the answer and got what I was missing, thank you, looks like i'm gonna need that copy of Doubling Season after all!

July 15, 2019 9:19 a.m.

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