When does a spell without a keyword check?
Asked by CrazedGinger 5 years ago
So if my only creature on the field is a Manaplasm and I cast Traverse the Outlands my question is basically when does the cast spell check what X is? A part of my says is checks when cast so a creature destroyed afterword doesn't change the effect. Another part of me says it would allow a triggered ability to resolve before the check happens.
Correct. In this case X will be determined upon the spell's resolution, since it's not defined in the casting cost.
You'll put Traverse the Outlands on the stack and pay its cost, at which point Manaplasm triggers because you cast a spell. The trigger goes on the stack and resolves, giving Manaplasm +5/+5, making it a 6/6. Then when Traverse the Outlands resolves, it sees that the greatest power among your creatures is 6, so you get up to 6 basic lands.
Because it checks on resolution, if your Manaplasm is destroyed before Traverse the Outlands resolves, you get no lands (unless Manaplasm was destroyed by something like Beast Within).
December 2, 2018 4:46 p.m.
CrazedGinger - in the future, please remember to hit the "Mark as Answer" button next to somebody's post once you no longer need assistance. This helps keep the Rules Q&A section clutter-free as well as makes it easier for other players to use the thread as a reference, as they can quickly identify the answer.
As this question has been answered for a couple days, I've gone ahead and marked Kogarashi's post as the accepted answer.
rolfMTG says... #1
I'm pretty sure cards like Traverse the Outlands and, for example, Arahbo, Roar of the World's second trigger, check power upon resolution.
So, in your case, you can get up to 6 basic lands.
This is because X isn't set upon casting the spell (like with Fireball for example.)
December 2, 2018 2:34 p.m.