Rules Tip of the Day: Effects like those generated by something like Blessed Breath that last until the end of a turn will never carry over into the next turn. These effects end during the cleanup step of a turn, which is after the end of turn step. If for some reason one of these effects is created after the Cleanup step has started, then the Cleanup step will repeat. Once again, effects like these that use the phrase "until end of turn" or "this turn" cannot carry over into another turn.

Q: I damaged my opponent with Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni and retrieved his Cunning Bandit. Then I flipped it after playing a few arcane spells. When I take control of one of his creatures (without summoning sickness), he claimed I couldn't attack with it because it regains summoning sickness if it exchanges controllers. Is this true?

A: Yes, that is true, creatures are unable to attack unless you have controlled them since the beginning of your most recent turn, it does not matter how long they have been in play. The effect from Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate's ability (a flipped Cunning Bandit) does not give the "stolen" creatures Haste, so therefore you will not be able to attack with them unless you can find some other way to give this creature Haste.

Q: I have Swirl the Mists out, and the chosen color is black. Could I use Blue Elemental Blast to destroy black permanents and counter black spells, or would there need to be a red spell or permanent on the board first, to satisfy Blue Elemental Blast's need for a valid target?

A: When you play a spell, it goes on the stack before you choose targets. You can choose a black spell or permanent, as when you choose targets, due to Swirl the Mists, the text of the spell is different from the printed text of the card.

Q I have Cryptic Gateway in play. Is it possible to tap two creatures who do not have haste on the turn they come into play to pay the cost of the Gateway's ability?

A: Yes, you can. This is because you are not tapping these creatures to activate their own ability with a tap symbol, you are tapping them to activate the ability of the Cryptic Gateway.

Q: What happens if two Shockers damage a player? Does he have to discard twice?

A: Yes. The ability of each Shocker will trigger and resolve independently. When the first resolves the damaged player will discard his hand and then draw that many cards. Then when the second ability resolves he will discard and draw again.

Q: I have Rhystic Study in play. My opponent plays a spell and does not pay 1 to prevent me from drawing a card. Does this draw occur before their spell resolves, allowing the possibility of getting a counterspell and using it on the same spell, or does it go on the stack first and take effect last?

A: You will draw before your opponent's spell resolves. Rhystic Study's ability triggers when your opponent plays a spell. If, when this ability resolves, your opponent does not pay 1 mana, you will draw a card. All of this will occur before the original spell played by your opponent has resolved.

Q: I have a question that deals with Varchild's War-Riders. Is cumulative upkeep 1 event of "pay the cost X times" or X events of "pay the cost 1 time"? In other words, when my cumulative upkeep is up to 3, do I give three 1/1 tokens all at once or do I give one 1/1 token three times? I've built a deck based on that combo, and I'm wondering if I can split up the 1/1 tokens between multiple opponents in a team or melee game.

A: Cumulative upkeep is a single triggered ability. You will carry out all actions of this triggered ability at one time, when this single ability resolves. Because of this, when the War-Riders ability resolves, you will give the lone chosen opponent 1/1 tokens equal to the number of age counters on the War-Riders. You will not be able to divide up these tokens amongst your opponents.

Q: If I have a Vedalken Orrery in play, can I activate Metalworker, and Upheaval in response, getting back tons of artifacts to reveal including the Metalworker himself?

A: No, Metalworker's ability is a mana ability, and therefore does not use the stack. You announce, reveal and get mana virtually instantly and this does not us the stack at all.

Q: I am playing in the Swiss rounds of a sanctioned Type 1 tournament. In one round I come against an opponent playing Control-Slaver. It's game two, and I've won game one. With three minutes left in the round, my opponent is able to get me into a lock, guaranteeing that I cannot win the game. Rather than conceding at this point, can I make my opponent play each turn in the hopes that he runs out of time and the game is a draw?

A: Demonstrating that you cannot do anything does not guarantee that your opponent does win, he still has to actually win the game. You are not forced to concede and can choose to play the game out.