Stack interractions + Layer interractions
Asked by Shape_Shifter 6 years ago
So recently me and my playgroup have been getting deeper into magic rulings (Priority and creature layers and what not).
During this we found that we may have been doing several things wrong before and i'm just trying to confirm wether we now have the right idea about it all.
Stack interractions: Before learning more about this we often had a situation where I had for example Roon of the Hidden Realm out on the battlefield and was going to attempt to use his ability to flicker one of my other creatures. My opponent at that time would react with Sleep for example, tapping roon and saying 'now you can't tap it for its ability'. Untill learning about Priority we always thought this was an OK interraction.
However the new view would be: I have priority, I throw my ability on the stack (tapping beeing a cost for it as well, so it can't be interrupted). I then pass on priority to my opponent who casts Sleep.His sleep will resolve first, but my creature was allready tapped as part of the cost, and my ability still resolves as well. Is this correct?
Layer interractions: Before learning about layers this situation would happen:I have a 2/2 creature equiped with Argentum Armor and lets say it also had 3 +1/+1 counters on it. I move to combat, declare attack with 9/9 creature.At this time my opponent casts Turn to Frog, declaring that my creature is now just a 1/1 and the argentum armor trigger doesn't activate since 'it loses all abilities'.
After looking into layers, we now think that this interraction would do close to nothing for the opponent as base power adjustments happen first, then the boosts happen (counters, equipment boost) and on top of that is the trigger from Argentum Armor still valid as well.Leaving me with a 8/8 creature. Is this correct?
Thanks in advance :)
Epochalyptik says... #4
Note that Sleep is a sorcery and can't be used while something else is on the stack or during another player's turn.
September 16, 2017 5:09 p.m.
Shape_Shifter says... #5
Thanks for the answer! Also i always missed the part where sleep is a sorcery xD Pretty sure my opponent was using it on instant speed :P
September 17, 2017 8:27 a.m.
Abilities granted by equipment like the trample and lifelink from Loxodon Warhammer would be removed by Turn to Frog, but abilities of an equipment like Argentum Armor in your example would not be. With Sword of Light and Shadow for example the creature would lose protection, but the lifegain and returning a creature card would still trigger if it dealt combat damage to a player.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #3
Your new understanding of priority is correct. When someone casts a spell or activates an ability, the first opportunity anyone has to make a response is after the costs are paid and spell/ability is officially on the stack.
Your new understanding of "base power and toughness" is correct, but the math is off in your example. The creature would be 11/11 to begin with (2 + 3 + 9) and would drop to 10/10 after Turn to Frog (1 + 3 + 9).
You're also right to notice that the triggered ability on Argentum Armor is an ability of the armor, itself, not an ability given to the equipped creature. It won't be removed by Turn to Frog. Even if it was, if the ability has already triggered then taking away the ability from the source won't go back in time and change that. The trigger is already on the stack.
September 16, 2017 4:38 p.m.