This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Cranial Insertion: Going South. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.
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Level 2 Magic Judge
Please use card tags when you're asking a question about specific cards: [c]Serra Angel[/c] -> Serra Angel.
Q: My opponent controls Platinum Emperion, and I control Ob Nixilis, the Fallen. Can I target my opponent with Ob Nix's landfall ability to get counters on Ob Nix?
A: No, you can't. When the landfall ability resolves, it asks you whether you want to have your opponent lose three life or not. Unfortunately, Platinum Emperion says that it is impossible for your opponent to lose life, so the following rule kicks in and says that you can't choose that option:
I think the response is a little unclear in this situation. Yes, you can target your opponent, but you can't choose to have them lose life since it's an impossible action. The response makes it seem like the opponent is an illegal target for the ability, which is not true.
Wilt-Leaf Liege doesn't say "effect" anywhere on it.
No, it says "spell or ability an opponent controls." Discarding as a cost for an ability you control clearly isn't a spell or ability your opponent controls though.
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...the pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless. If it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it or the wise make plans against it.
-- Sun Tzu, The Art Of War
Q: I recently broke my hand, just in time for an upcoming Grand Prix. Given that I basically can't shuffle, is there any way that I could still be allowed to play or should I cancel my travel arrangements as soon as possible?
A: The general answer and DCI policy is that players with physical impairments are accommodated as much as possible without harming the integrity of the tournament, but whether you'll be allowed to play is a judgment call by the tournament's head judge, so if you need a definitive answer you should try to contact him or her in advance. In general, you should be fine if you can bring a friend who isn't playing in the tournament and have him or her shuffle for you. You could also ask your opponent or a judge to shuffle for you. In any case, you'll be held to the same time limits as the other players.
At Indiana States this year, one of the players had Muscular Dystrophy, and while he technically was able to shuffle, it was very herky-jerky and not very well done. Every one of his opponents volunteered to shuffle for him, and judges were more than happy to help him with tapping/untapping permanents or any other tasks requiring any dexterity. He did poorly but everyone respected him and tried whatever they could to make things easier for him to play.
In my opinion, this is how every player should act. If your opponent has a physical handicap that makes it hard for them to play, do whatever you can to help them. It's just good sportsmanship.
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Top 16 - 2012 Indiana State Championships Currently Playing: GBStandard - Golgari Safari MidrangeBG RBWModern - Mardu PyromancerWBR RLegacy - Good Old Fashioned BurnR
Wilt-Leaf Liege doesn't say "effect" anywhere on it.
The rules are pretty clear:
609.1. An effect is something that happens in the game as a result of a spell or ability. When a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability resolves, it may create one or more one-shot or continuous effects. Static abilities may create one or more continuous effects. Text itself is never an effect.
Just letting you know that our site suffered some data loss last night due to a dead hard disk in the server. Once reposted, the link for the spanish translation of this Cranial Insertion is now (the id changed):
What does that rule have to do with the text of the Liege?
I understand that the correct answer to the Dream Halls/Liege question is that the Liege's ability doesn't apply. But I don't understand why it has to do with the word "effect" in the slightest. The reason you don't get the Liege's benefit is that what's "causing" you to discard it is paying the cost of a spell, which isn't a spell or ability an opponent controls, even if what *lets* you pay that cause is an ability of a permanent an opponent controls. The definition of "effect" has nothing to do with it.
The results of spells and abilities are effects, so in the answer in question:
A: Nope, he won't get that free Liege! The Liege was discarded as a cost, so it wasn't discarded due to an effect, let alone due to an effect his opponent controls.
Is exactly the same as:
A: Nope, he won't get that free Liege! The Liege was discarded as a cost, so it wasn't discarded due to the result of a spell or ability, let alone due to the result of a spell or ability his opponent controls.
That the liege doesn't say the word 'effect' is irrelevant because all spells and abilities your opponents control are effects, and vice versa. (all effects your opponents control are spells and abilities).
The Liege doesn't say "as a result of" either, it says that a spell or ability an opponent controls must "cause" you to discard it. Apologies if I'm picking nits but I just don't see the connection.
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DCI Certified Level 1 Judge
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
The Liege doesn't say "as a result of" either, it says that a spell or ability an opponent controls must "cause" you to discard it. Apologies if I'm picking nits but I just don't see the connection.
It is because you are over analyzing the text.
If a spell or ability an opponent controls causes you to discard Wilt-Leaf Liege, put it onto the battlefield instead of putting it into your graveyard.
is saying the same thing as
If you discard Wilt-Leaf Liege as a result of a spell or ability an opponent controls, put it onto the battlefield instead of putting it into your graveyard.
Its the same thing as:
I went to the store because I was out of food.
I was out of food, so I went to the store.
They are saying the same thing, just worded differently.
Oh and about the difference of "a spell or ability" and an "effect". They mean the same thing in magic. Its like saying water and H2O, they may look different and even are said differently, but they are still the same thing.
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Please use card tags when you're asking a question about specific cards: [c]Serra Angel[/c] -> Serra Angel.
I think the response is a little unclear in this situation. Yes, you can target your opponent, but you can't choose to have them lose life since it's an impossible action. The response makes it seem like the opponent is an illegal target for the ability, which is not true.
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
No, it says "spell or ability an opponent controls." Discarding as a cost for an ability you control clearly isn't a spell or ability your opponent controls though.
-- Sun Tzu, The Art Of War
At Indiana States this year, one of the players had Muscular Dystrophy, and while he technically was able to shuffle, it was very herky-jerky and not very well done. Every one of his opponents volunteered to shuffle for him, and judges were more than happy to help him with tapping/untapping permanents or any other tasks requiring any dexterity. He did poorly but everyone respected him and tried whatever they could to make things easier for him to play.
In my opinion, this is how every player should act. If your opponent has a physical handicap that makes it hard for them to play, do whatever you can to help them. It's just good sportsmanship.
Currently Playing:
GBStandard - Golgari Safari MidrangeBG
RBWModern - Mardu PyromancerWBR
RLegacy - Good Old Fashioned BurnR
Clan Contest 3 Mafia - Mafia Co-MVP
The rules are pretty clear:
http://www.moxes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=628:cranial-insertion-hacia-el-sur&catid=2:columns
What does that rule have to do with the text of the Liege?
I understand that the correct answer to the Dream Halls/Liege question is that the Liege's ability doesn't apply. But I don't understand why it has to do with the word "effect" in the slightest. The reason you don't get the Liege's benefit is that what's "causing" you to discard it is paying the cost of a spell, which isn't a spell or ability an opponent controls, even if what *lets* you pay that cause is an ability of a permanent an opponent controls. The definition of "effect" has nothing to do with it.
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
Is exactly the same as:
That the liege doesn't say the word 'effect' is irrelevant because all spells and abilities your opponents control are effects, and vice versa. (all effects your opponents control are spells and abilities).
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
It is because you are over analyzing the text.
is saying the same thing as
Its the same thing as:
I went to the store because I was out of food.
I was out of food, so I went to the store.
They are saying the same thing, just worded differently.
Oh and about the difference of "a spell or ability" and an "effect". They mean the same thing in magic. Its like saying water and H2O, they may look different and even are said differently, but they are still the same thing.