Rules Tip of the Day: The ability of Circu, Dimir Lobotomist that prevents your opponents from playing cards removed from the game by Circu's other abilities is only applied when this Circu is in play. Once Circu leaves play, copies of these removed cards can be played again.

Q: A friend and I were trying to discern exactly how this interaction works, as we are both fairly familiar with the rules, but were confused about using abilities during other players' draw steps. Is it possible to respond to a Dredge effect? Say someone is attempting to Dredge back a card; can one player respond with Shred Memory to remove that card from the game with the Dredge effect on the stack, 'milling' them and them receiving nothing in response?

A: No, you cannot respond to the use of a Dredge ability, as it does not use the stack. When a player chooses to Dredge a card, they are replacing a draw with returning this card to their hand. This decision is made when the draw would be made. In order to prevent the card from being Dredged you need to remove it from the graveyard before the draw would occur; you cannot respond to their decision to Dredge. Keep in mind that if the draw they are replacing it the normal draw of their turn, you need to remove this card from their graveyard in their upkeep step.

Q: If I play Lightning Helix on a creature and that player sacrifices it. leaving no target, do I gain life?

A: If the target of Lightning Helix is not in play when it would resolve, then the Helix will be countered on resolution. This means that no part of it will resolve and you will not gain any life.

Q: If I play Diabolic Intent, sacrificing Academy Rector, will the Eye of the Storm I find with the Rector remove the Diabolic Intent for the Eye's ability?

A: No. Eye of the Storm's ability will trigger when an instant or sorcery is played. In this example the Eye of the Storm is not in play when you played Diabolic Intent, so this Diabolic Intent will resolve as normal. It will not be removed from the game by Eye of the Storm

Q: When Eye of the Storm makes a copy of a card that has additional costs associated with playing it, do I have to pay this cost? For example, if a copy of Fiery Conclusion was made. I was under the impression that I would not have to sacrifice another creature, as you can play these copies for free.

A: When Eye of the Storm's triggered ability makes copies of the cards it previously removed from the game, it allows you to play these copies without paying their mana costs. However, you do still have to pay any additional costs associated with these spells. In fact, if the spell you just played has an additional cost, you'll have to pay it again. This is because you paid this cost when you played this spell, then Eye of the Storm will remove it from the game and make a copy of this card. You'll be able to play this copy, but as pointed out above you'll have to pay the additional cost again.

Q: What happens when you have multiple Eye of the Storms in play? Can a spell be removed from the game multiple times? If so, will two copes of this card be made in the future when another instant or sorcery is played?

A: Having multiple copies of Eye of the Storm in play is not cumulative. While the abilities of each will trigger when you play an instant or sorcery, the played spell can only be removed from the game by the first ability to resolve. Each Eye of the Storm will keep track of what cards it has removed, so you won't get two copies of this spell in the future when you play another instant or sorcery.

Q: I have Cloudstone Curio in play and a 3/1 creature and my opponent has a 3/3 creature in play. I play Spawnbroker and when it comes into play I put the Cloudstone Curio ability on the stack first (targeting my 3/1) and then the Spawnbroker ability (targeting my 3/1 and the opponent's 3/3). When the Spawnbroker ability resolves we swap creatures. Will the Cloudstone Curio ability resolve, and will the 3/1 that is now under my opponent's control be returned to my hand?

A: No, this 3/1 creature will not be returned to your hand. Cloudstone Curio's ability does not target; you choose a creature you control when the ability resolves. Because you do not control the 3/1 creature when Cloudstone Curio's triggered ability resolves, you may not return it to your hand.

Q: I attacked with two creatures, a Scion of the Wild and Watchwolf. I also had Gleancrawler in play. Before blockers were declared, my opponent played Otherworldly Journey on my Gleancrawler. Than he declareed blockers, choosing to block the Scion with a 5/5 under his control. When combat damage was dealt the Scion went to the graveyard and my opponent took 3 damage. What happens at end of turn? We were back and forth, and eventually decided that I would get Gleancrawler back with a +1/+1 counter, but the Scion did not return to my hand.

A: You handled that situation correctly. If the Gleancrawler is not in play at the very beginning of the end of turn step, then its ability cannot trigger. It does not matter that Gleancrawler later returns to play in the end of turn step. Your Scion will remain in your graveyard.

Q: How does the card Staying Power affect Circles of Protection? Do I just have to pay 1 mana to the Circle of Protection to permanently prevent all damage from a source, or does it work differently from that?

A: Prevention shields generated by CoPs will be used up when thy prevent damage. If they are not used by the end of turn, these shields will normally go away. But Staying Power will allow these shields to stick around. However, once an individual shield prevents damage it will not continue to prevent further damage.