Xathrid Gorgon rulings
Asked by AjaxSlumbering 4 years ago
Let's assume I have an untapped Xathrid Gorgon on the battlefield, and an opponent Evoke's Reveillark . could I respond to the sacrifice effect by activating Xathrid Gorgon? If so, would the leaves play ability trigger? Thanks!
You can activate the Xathrid Gorgon in response to the evoke, but it won't do anything that maters, because evoke is not an activated ability, but both static and triggered one. It is static when the card isn't in play and works similar to Cyclonic Rift meaning you get to choose to cast it for printed mana cost or evoke cost. However once evoke is paid and the creature enters the battlefield the other part of evoke triggers and puts a "sacrifice this permanent" trigger on the stack.
At this point the only way to prevent Reveillark 's sacrifice or subsequent leave-the-battlefield trigger is either to Stifle either the sacrifice or LTB trigger, or use an effect similar to Gift of Tusks on it before it dies, to stop the LTB effect from going off. (note Gift of Tusks won't stop the sacrifice from evoke)
Cheers! :)
Caerwyn says... #1
Evoke represents two different abilities: (1) an activated ability that allows the card to be cast for an alternate mana cost; and (2) a triggered ability which causes the creature to be sacrificed when it enters the battlefield (Rule 702.73a).
Xathrid Gorgon only prevents activated abilities from being activated. Triggered abilities, such as the second half of Evoke and it’s leave the battlefield trigger, will not be prevented.
July 27, 2019 2:55 a.m.