remove from combat?
Asked by theultrasphinx 12 years ago
what exactly does "remove target creature from combat" mean? is it temporary? can the removed creature attack next turn?
KorApprentice says... #2
From the MTG Comprehensive Rulebook:
506.4. A permanent is removed from combat if it leaves the battlefield, if its controller changes, if it phases out, if an effect specifically removes it from combat, if its a planeswalker thats being attacked and stops being a planeswalker, or if its an attacking or blocking creature that regenerates (see rule 701.12) or stops being a creature. A creature thats removed from combat stops being an attacking, blocking, blocked, and/or unblocked creature. A planeswalker thats removed from combat stops being attacked.
It will neither deal nor receive combat damage.
March 14, 2012 5:04 p.m.
metalmagic says... #3
The creature can attack next turn. If a creature is declared as an attacker or blocker, it is involved in combat. Let's use Hollowhenge Spirit as an example. an opponent attacks with a Wurmcoil Engine. You flash in your spirit during the declare attackers step while you have priority, and target Wurmcoil with his ability. This means the Wurmcoil will no longer be attacking, will not deal damage during the Damage Step, but was still declared as an attacker, which could be important for other card effects.
Let's assume something different. Your opponent attacks with his Wurmcoil Engine. You choose to double block with 2 3/3 golems that have first strike from a Blade Splicer. Your opponent flashes in a Hollowhenge Spirit during the declare blockers step when he has priority, and targets one of your golems. Your golem will no logner be blocking and will not deal damage, but was still declared as a blocker, which is important. Your golem would then deal 3 first strike damage to your Wurmcoil, and during regular combat damage your Wurmcoil would deal 6 to the still-blocking golem, killing it and gaining you 3 life. If you choose to only block with one creature and it gets removed from combat, the same rules apply, but his Wurmcoil will NOT deal any damage to you because it is still considered 'blocked' for the turn, even though the blocking creature is no longer actually blocking.
March 14, 2012 5:06 p.m.
metalmagic says... #4
Well, I see I am a bit late, haha. I typed my little fingers off, also :(
March 14, 2012 5:07 p.m.
KorApprentice says... #5
Also, you would gain 6 life if Wurmcoil Engine is blocked, lifelink applies to all damage dealt by the creature.
March 14, 2012 5:20 p.m.
KorApprentice says... #6
That didn't sound right, if Wurmcoil Engine deals damage to a creature it is blocked by, its controller will gain 6 life, as in your scenario.
March 14, 2012 5:22 p.m.
By the way, metalmagic, you can gain 6 life from a Wurmcoil Engine hitting a 3/3 Golem token.
You can choose to deal 6 damage to the 3-toughness Golem. (Just as you can Lightning Bolt a Birds of Paradise.)
March 14, 2012 5:45 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #8
It's not that you can deal that damage, it's that you do deal that damage. Creatures assign their total power in combat damage, and that is not optional.
March 14, 2012 5:46 p.m.
GoblinsInc says... #9
If there is nothing but the 3/3 golem left to assign damage to, you actually -must- assign all 6 to the golem. You can't pull the punch halfway.
March 14, 2012 5:47 p.m.
theultrasphinx says... #10
wow, this has all been very helpful, thanks! and @ metalmagic, I actually was considering running a Hollowhenge Spirit or two in my WB deck that also uses Mimic Vats. I did a search for white creature with "..enters the battlefield,..." effects and that one seemed like a winner. flying AND flash would almost make it worth the 4 drop alone to me.
interestingly, I was mostly looking at it as a potential means of removing an opponents creature(s) during critical moments in the mid to late game but I see there are other times when it might be quite useful as well. thanks again!
March 14, 2012 9:51 p.m.
metalmagic says... #11
I know, I mistyped :/ I was already late to the question, so I didn't proofread anything, haha.
March 15, 2012 12:04 p.m.
theindigoeffect says... #12
I have two questions pertaining to this topic that coincide with Yavimaya Hollow:
1) If I use Yavimaya Hollow to regenerate Obstinate Baloth , and my opponent attacks it with Vorapede on his turn, I'm supposed to tap Obstinate Baloth and remove it from combat. In order to remove a creature from combat, it must be removed from the battlefield, but where does it go after it leaves the battlefield? Does it go directly to my hand, or does it go somewhere else?
2) Can I use Yavimaya Hollow to cast regenerate on Obstinate Baloth multiple times, or is there a limit? I've heard some people say that regenerate stacks, which would practically make Obstinate Baloth immortal. Personally, that sounds unfair to me, and that's why I'm asking.
May 26, 2014 3:36 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #13
@theindigoeffect: Check the post dates before you comment. You should start a new thread rather than reply to an old question.
1) You're incorrect in your assumption. Removing a creature from combat does not require that it leaves the battlefield. The battlefield and combat are not linked in that way. When Obstinate Baloth is regenerated, which happens after combat damage is dealt, Obstinate Baloth will be tapped and removed from combat, but it will remain on the battlefield.
2) You don't cast abilities. Yavimaya Hollow has an activated ability. You activate the ability. But yes, regenerate abilities stack. Regenerate is a replacement effect. If there are multiple regeneration shields on a permanent, then the next time that permanent would be destroyed, you choose one of the replacement effects to apply. The others become irrelevant, so they wait until the next time that permanent would be destroyed.
May 26, 2014 4:02 a.m.
theindigoeffect says... #14
Thanks for promptly answering my question - I'll start a new thread next time.
May 26, 2014 4:23 a.m.
canterlotguardian says... #15
So wait, if I had Asceticism out, could I regenerate my opponents creatures to remove them from combat with me so I won't take damage (or my creatures)?
July 21, 2014 5:50 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #16
@canterlotguardian: As I said before, please check the post dates before you comment. You should start a new thread rather than reply to an old question.
No. A regeneration shield only removes a creature from combat when the shield is consumed. The effect doesn't happen immediately; the creatures will deal combat damage first. If, after damage, your opponent's creature would be destroyed, it isn't. Instead, it is removed from combat, tapped, and damage marked on it is removed.
July 21, 2014 7:42 a.m.
so if i use gustclook savior to attack and its blocked than i use its ability to remove it from combat does it die
March 13, 2015 1:42 a.m.
GoblinsInc says... #18
Don't revive year old threads, make a new one with your question.
so if i use gustclook savior to attack and its blocked than i use its ability to remove it from combat does it die
No. If you choose to remove the creature from combat when the ability resolves then it isn't around to deal nor take combat damage.
March 13, 2015 2:30 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #19
@kakashi12: First, check the post dates before you comment. If the original question is already closed, or if you're in a thread that's over a month old, post a new thread. Don't reply to old threads.
Second, link all cards in your question.
Gustcloak Savior
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1
"Remove from combat" means "Remove from this combat phase." The removed creature may still attack in later combat phases as normal. During the phase it was removed from combat, it is no longer considered attacking or blocking and will not participate in subsequent damage steps that combat phase.
March 14, 2012 4:59 p.m.