Would the Infinite Oblivion Ring combo work?

Asked by ShadowNinja0704 9 years ago

I heard in another thread that if you have 3 Oblivion Ring cards on the battlefield affecting each other, then the exil/return loop would be endless, resulting in a draw. Could that actually happen since the three Oblivion Rings have to be on the battlefield at the same time in order to target each other, and you can't place them on the battlefield at the same time because of the stack?

merrowMania says... #1

This loop can happen. Simplest example is to show you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGXG5rNe_tI

December 23, 2015 4:56 p.m.

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #2

This is what happens:

There are no other permanents on the battlefield except for one Oblivion Ring (R1) exiling another Oblivion Ring (R2).

Someone puts another Oblivion Ring (R3) onto the battlefield. The only legal target is R1. When R1 is exiled, R2 enters the battlefield again. The only legal target for R2's ability is R3. The loop thus continues unless interrupted.

December 23, 2015 5:05 p.m.

merrowMania says... #3

Special note: a player is only required to disrupt an infinite loop if the means to do so is in a public zone (grave, exile, battlefield), even if both players know that the means is in a players hand (such as from a Thoughtseize earlier in the game). Just a fun fact if you want to make a game a draw.

December 23, 2015 5:51 p.m.

ShadowNinja0704 says... #4

Yeah, I didn't think the first Oblivion Ring could have a new target once it re-entered the battlefield, thanks!

December 23, 2015 6:09 p.m.

merrowMania says... #5

In answering a different question, I found the following rule, making my 'special note' wrong. Sorry about the misinformation :P

From the Comprehensive Rules:
716.5. No player can be forced to perform an action that would end a loop other than actions called for by objects involved in the loop.

Example: A player controls Seal of Cleansing, an enchantment that reads, Sacrifice Seal of Cleansing: Destroy target artifact or enchantment. A mandatory loop that involves an artifact begins. The player is not forced to sacrifice Seal of Cleansing to destroy the artifact and end the loop.

My interpretation:
This is because it would force a player to make a decision that could harm their position in the game, thereby giving the opponent an unfair advantage for simply happening to be the one to not have to resources to break the loop.

December 23, 2015 6:12 p.m. Edited.