What happens if Yore-Tiller Nephilim reanimates Xantcha, Sleeper Agent?

Asked by chosenone124 5 years ago

Yore-Tiller Nephilim's ability should reanimate Xantcha, Sleeper Agent tapped and attacking to someone else's battlefield. Is Xantcha instantly removed from combat? Or does she continue attacking?

I'm curious because Xantcha's wording is different from say, Akroan Horse. The Horse is a trigger that would kick it out of combat, but Xantcha is an "as enters" effect.

Madcookie says... #1

As far as my understanding of the game goes Xantcha, Sleeper Agent will enter the battlefield under an opponent's control tapped, but not attacking. Attackers are declared by the active player only and since it is your turn, the opponent that gained control of her can't declare attackers simultaneously and assign her to attack a third player.

However there is a bit of a conundrum: Rule 508.4. states that:If a creature is put onto the battlefield attacking, its controller chooses which defending player or which planeswalker a defending player controls it’s attacking as it enters the battlefield (unless the effect that put it onto the battlefield specifies what it’s attacking). Such creatures are “attacking” but, for the purposes of trigger events and effects, they never “attacked.” which would somehow imply that your opponent can assign her to attack a third player. But all the other rules for assigning attackers refer to the active player (you) and not controller (opponent).

Well I said my opinion, maybe someone else will clear this further ;/

October 21, 2018 7:34 a.m.

Gidgetimer says... Accepted answer #2

Active player is the attacking player per rule 506.2. If a creature would enter attacking under the control of any player that isn't the attacking player it enters but is never considered attacking per 506.3b.

506.2. During the combat phase, the active player is the attacking player; creatures that player controls may attack. During the combat phase of a two-player game, the nonactive player is the defending player; that player and planeswalkers they control may be attacked.

506.3b If an effect would put a creature onto the battlefield attacking under the control of any player except an attacking player, that creature does enter the battlefield, but it’s never considered to be an attacking creature.

October 21, 2018 11:36 a.m.

Caerwyn says... #3

It’s worth noting, Xantcha’s ability is not the same as it entering the battlefield under an opponent’s control - she has a replacement effect that creates a control-changing effect, not an “enters under opponent’s control” effect. It’s a bit awkward, but very critical - if she entered under your opponent’s control, she would be exiled when that opponent dies. Instead, it creates an immediate control changing effect, which is why she will return to your control when her opponent-controller dies.

This doesn’t change the answers here, but I wanted to clarify the language some.

October 21, 2018 1:25 p.m.

Gidgetimer says... #4

Xantcha’s ability is a replacement effect that changes the control of Xancha. It indeed is not the same as Reanimate since there is no continuous effect associated with Reanimate. However; it is exactly entering the battlefield under an opponent's control since it replaces her entering under your control with entering under an opponent's control. if your opponent controls Aura Shards they will get a trigger and if you control Blood Seeker you will get a trigger. Any further replacement effects that may apply to creatures entering under their control (like if they control Essence of the Wild or Infinite Reflection) will also apply.

October 21, 2018 4:45 p.m.

Caerwyn says... #5

Gidgetimer

By “enters under opponent’s control”, I was referencing specific language of cards like Bribery not the actual effect of entering under an opponent’s control. However, this was not exactly clear from context, so I appreciate the clarification - thanks!

October 21, 2018 6:12 p.m.

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