What is the order of Slab Hammer and Sword of the Animist?
Asked by Loreshadow 8 years ago
When you use Slab Hammer and Sword of the Animist at the same time, what is the order in which they are used, and in what combinations can the lands be returned or fetched for?
In regards to Unblockable Aggro Landfall.
Can I fetch a land, tap it, then return it to my hand, or is it too simultaneous? Will I have to choose another land to return while I fetch a second land?
Also, if I use Animist, can I play the returned land from my hand later? Or will Animist count as my land played that turn?
Loreshadow says... #2
Thanks for the help.
Forgot about it being tapped. Still can return it to be played untapped after combat ends though from what you're saying, so it still looks fun. Though some Skyline Cascade will probably get the priority for returns. That'll leave me with two tapped lands I can't use for mana. But, also tap and pin a creature for a turn with the help of Retreat to Coralhelm. So it should work the way I want it too. Thanks again for the clarification and reminder. Don't know why more people don't use the Slab Hammer + Sword of the Animist combo in landfall decks.
November 15, 2015 3:17 p.m.
Raging_Squiggle says... #3
It's a decent combo. I think it's not played very much because that's 2 equipments that have to be used at the same time to fully utilize it as oppose to spells like Nissa's Pilgrimage. Plus the creature can be destroyed or bounced before it can attack.
November 15, 2015 3:57 p.m.
Loreshadow says... #4
True. So you need counter spells with it then? And card cycling to get both items out? Can't hurt to use unblockable creatures I guess. Sounds like Blue is geared for it. Even just the Sword can repeatedly trigger a Retreat card, while the Hammer can reuse the 'Battle Lands'? Is that their name? I just call them 'one mana spell lands'. Guess the Hammer would slow your mana playing down without the Sword or Green 'land to battlefield' Spells.
Makes more sense now. Green doesn't need it and the other colours can't protect'em well enough to be worth it? More for Blue then! :)
November 15, 2015 6:17 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #6
You should continue the strategy/deck discussion in the forums.
Raging_Squiggle says... Accepted answer #1
If you control both triggers, you decide in what order they resolve.
1) you can search for a land via Sword of the Animist and then return that land to your hand via Slab Hammer.
2) you will not have to choose another land while you search because the abilities don't resolve at the same time.
3) you cannot tap the land you search for as it already enters the battlefield tapped per Sword of the Animist's ability.
4) if you have not played a land for the turn, you can play the land you searched and bounced, during your second main phase.
Note: if Slab Hammer said "return target land you control to its owner's hand..." Then it wouldn't work because targets must be chosen as abilities and spells are put on the stack.
November 15, 2015 1:22 p.m.