What effect takes place if two "parallel lives" are in play?
Asked by Fro780 12 years ago
Let's say i cast a "slime molding" with X is 4, Do I get 3 4/4 tokens or do I get 4?
Warbringer says... #2
i would assume they go off together so if ur adding 3 tokens each one gives u 3 more.
not the first once goes off for 3 then the second goes off for 6. totalling 9 instead of 6
March 20, 2013 3:54 p.m.
Warbringer says... #3
im only assuming that because the effects would enter the stack at the same time
March 20, 2013 3:55 p.m.
Short answer: - You get 4 tokens
Long answer:
Parallel Lives has a replacement effect.
When multiple replacement effects could occur, the controller of those replacements decides which replacement will occur. This means that when a token would come into play you would choose which Parallel Lives replaces the "token enters the battlefield" with "double that number of tokens enter the battlefield".
However, it does not end there. Since the new event of "a number of tokens enters the battlefield" can be subject to the replacement of the second Parallel Lives, that replacement will also occur. - Each possible replacement can only occur once per original event, thus the First Parallel Lives does not once again replace the replacement of the Second.
This will result in 4x the number of tokens entering the battlefield, as would have originally entered. - 8x if there were 3 Parallel Lives,... 16x if there were 4, and so on.
March 20, 2013 4 p.m.
Each replacement affect will trigger, causing an exponential result. Spending 4 on the X value of Slime Molding would typically get you a 4/4 creature. But with two instances of Parallel Lives, that will double to two from the first instance, then double again to four from the second instance.
Take note that the X value of Slime Molding does not get you more tokens, and only changes the power and toughness of the token. It really has no influence on this question, other than if you were to spend 0 on X, at which point all of your tokens would die and you'd get none.
March 20, 2013 4 p.m.
well slime molding only gives you one 4/4 ooze token so would it be 3 tokens total after the parallel lives?
March 20, 2013 4:01 p.m.
Thanks everyone I appreciate it. A great new combo for my deck!!
March 20, 2013 4:02 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #8
I should clear up some confusion:
Replacement effects don't trigger and they don't use the stack.
Also, Zopiclone effects that require information from the game only determine that information when the effects themselves resolve. In this case, it doesn't matter because replacement effects are instantaneous and don't use the stack.
Again, the Gatherer page is your best friend:
9/22/2011: If you control two Parallel Lives, then the number of tokens created is four times the original number. If you control three, then the number of tokens created is eight times the original number, and so on.
March 20, 2013 4:13 p.m.
Oh, goodness. I think "trigger" was not the appropriate word for me to use. ><
March 20, 2013 4:15 p.m.
Yes... I was careful not to use the word 'trigger' or 'stack' in my explanation of how this works... I've made that mistake a few times before.
Warbringer says... #1
Parallel Lives
March 20, 2013 3:52 p.m.