When a creature equipped with an artifact is destroyed by combat damage or spell, what happens to the artifact?
Asked by The_Kahuna 8 years ago
Im new to magic and mostly i don't understand if the artifact is destroyed with a creature, i have been told different things.does it matter if it was a spell or combat damage?and also what happens to enchantment auras?
I'll elaborate on the aura part a little, as I don't feel acbooster described what happens accurately enough (I can see how they were likely simplifying it for a new player, but I still feel it should be fleshed out for accuracy and future reference).
When a creature enchanted with an aura leaves the battlefield, the aura will not be put in the graveyard at the same time by any means. Instead, after the orginal creature is put into the graveyard, state-based actions are checked again, see an aura that is attached to an illegal creature (or other permanent, or player), and will put it in the graveyard.
This is relevant in two scenarios I can think of right now:
- in formats where you're not allowed to change the order of cards in your graveyard, it's important that the enchanted creature always enters the graveyard first, then the aura does and will be on top.
- auras with Bestow will unattach just like equipments and stay on the battlefield as a creature - this happens when being attached to an illegal permanent or player, meaning it would never happen if the aura would go to the graveyard at the same time as the permanent)
acbooster says... Accepted answer #1
The equipment will simply unattach from the creature if the creature dies. Equipments will stay on the field until something specifically removes them, such as a "destroy artifact" spell like Smelt.
Auras, however, will go to the graveyard when the creature dies unless it says otherwise.
June 8, 2016 6:18 p.m.