Torrential Gearhulk counter?
Asked by n0153 8 years ago
Can I flash a Torrential Gearhulk on my opponents turn to play a Counterspell to counter a spell they are trying to play?Also, how does "the stack" work?
Can I flash a Torrential Gearhulk on my opponents turn to play a Counterspell to counter a spell they are trying to play?Also, how does "the stack" work?
acbooster says... Accepted answer #1
Remember to link all cards in your question.
Torrential Gearhulk
Counterspell (as an example)
The short answer is you can.
Whenever an object is placed on the stack, it can't resolve until a full round of priority is passed around with no further action. Whenever a player has priority, they can cast instants and spells with Flash, as well as activate abilities. If a player doesn't, priority passes to the next player. If they do, they retain priority and can do so again before anyone can respond. However, for each object on the stack, a full round of no action has to be passed before it can resolve.
As for the stack itself, it resolves in FILO (First In Last Out) order. This means that the top of the stack will always resolve first.
Let's play out the scenario. Say your opponent casts Lightning Bolt. It goes on the stack and the stack now looks like this:
Lightning Bolt
You cast Torrential Gearhulk in response. Now the stack looks like this:
Torrential Gearhulk
Lightning Bolt
If no one responds, the Gearhulk resolves and its ETB ability triggers. If nothing else is cast, triggered, or activated, the stack looks like this:
Torrential Gearhulk's ability targeting Counterspell
Lightning Bolt
If nothing is cast or activated, the ability resolves and you can cast Counterspell without paying its mana cost. You do so targeting the Lightning Bolt and put it on the stack. Now it looks like this:
Counterspell targeting Lightning Bolt
Lightning Bolt
Finally, the Counterspell resolves and counters Lightning Bolt, removing it from the stack. The stack is now empty.
October 19, 2016 11:59 p.m.