"When/As ~ enters the battlefield" and counterspells
Asked by meecht 12 years ago
I just want some confirmation on what I've read recently.
Let's say I cast Oblivion Ring. If my opponent asks what I'm targeting, is it too late for them to cast a counterspell? The assumption is that because O-ring has to ETB to target, your opponent is allowing the spell to resolve in order for the "target nonland permanent" effect to be placed on the stack.
Absinthman says... #2
You're correct about that the target for Oblivion Ring is not designated until it has landed on the battlefield. The answer to your question though would probably be a matter for a judge. I don't believe that simply asking "what do you target" also confers "I don't respond and let it resolve", as the player might just misunderstand how the card works. In my opinion, if such situation occurs, you need to ask your opponent: "Since you're asking about the target, I assume that O-ring has resolved, correct?"
March 18, 2013 10:18 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #3
If you want to get technical, judges at Regular REL and up will interpret this case as your opponent having shortcutted to the resolution of Oblivion Ring. The wording of the card makes it clear it only targets through an ETB triggered ability.
At FNM level, a judge may side with a player who argues he or she didn't know what Oblivion Ring did.
The philosophies at varying RELs have varying purposes - at FNM, the purpose is to teach and develop, so the benefit of the doubt could go to your opponent.
March 18, 2013 10:29 a.m.
If this were a Competitive REL event, I would more than likely say that the player allowed Oblivion Ring to resolve by asking the target of the resulting triggered ability.
March 18, 2013 10:41 a.m.
At an FNM, I probably wouldn't invoke such a ruling on a player, but I wanted to make sure in case I encounter it at a higher REL event.
Devonin says... Accepted answer #1
If you want to hold them to the strictest interpretation of the rules, you could claim that their request of what you are targeting counts as having passed priority and allowed the spell to resolve.
However, in almost every case, it's just them not actually realising that you don't have to declare the target on announcement, and think you -do- need to tell them what you are targeting first.
What you should do if they ask what you are targeting is say "So you've allowed it to resolve?" just to make sure you aren't taking advantage of their misunderstanding.
March 18, 2013 10:13 a.m.