Rules Tip of the Day: Using an ability that will tap a creature that has been declared as an attacking creature will not remove it from combat. In order to tap something so it does not attack, you must tap it before it is declared as an attacking creature. The last time to do this is in the beginning of combat step. Keep in mind that your opponent cannot just jump ahead without passing priority; they must give you an option to play abilities or instants before declaring attacking creatures.

Q: When dealing with the "slowtrips" from Coldsnap that have you draw a card in the next upkeep step, is it legal to put something on top of your library to remind you to draw this card? How about as a reminder to pay a Cumulative Upkeep cost before you draw for the turn?

A: No. You are not allowed to put anything on or over your library, even if it is an innocent reminder tool. This is basically to discourage cheating; the less we have player fidgeting with their libraries, the better. However, you can put a bead or counter in the hand that you draw with. That way when you do go to draw, you will hopefully notice this bead and remember to draw for the "slowtrip" or pay Cumulative Upkeep.

Q: My Blizzard Specter deals combat damage to my opponent, and its ability triggers. When do I choose whether he draws a card or returns a permanent to his hand? When the ability triggers, or when it resolves?

A: That triggered ability is a modal triggered ability. You always choose the modes of a spell or ability when it goes on the stack. So you need to choose which mode to take advantage of when the ability goes on the stack. Your opponent can respond to this ability knowing what to expect when the ability resolves.

Q: I attack with two Bull Aurochs. My opponent responds by killing one of the Aurochs. Will the other one get +1/+0?

A: It depends on when he kills the attacking Aurochs. When these two Aurochs attack, their abilities will trigger and go on the stack. They will get the increased power when these abilities resolve. However, the amount of increase of power is determined when these abilities resolve. If your opponent destroys one Auroch before the ability of the other resolves, then there will not be any other attacking Aurochs in play, so it will not get any increase in its power.

Q: I play Deathmark on my opponent's Wild Mongrel. In response, he discards a card and makes the Mongrel white. Will it still be destroyed? What if it stayed green but somehow becamse blue as well?

A: The Wild Mongrel will be destroyed in both instances. All that matters is that the targeted creature is green or white when Deathmark is played and when it resolves. It does not matter if it changes colors or gains colors inbetween the time it was played and when it resolves.

Q: My question concerns ante in today's casual environment. Is it possible to Burning Wish a Demonic Attorney from outside the game and force an ante game with your opponent, even if you are not playing for ante?

A: As this is a casual game, it is really up to you and your playgroup as to how to play this. If you do not normally allow ante cards in your decks, then I don't recommend that you allow a player to wish for them.

Q: I have Platinum Angel in play and my life is zero. My opponent plays and activates Mindslaver during his turn. He takes control of my turn. So far, so good. But then he claims to have won the game, because I have zero life and I'm not controlling the Platinum Angel anymore. I argue that he could only win the game by either destroying or taking control of the Platinum Angel. Who is right?

A: You are. Your opponent may control your turn and make your decisions for you, but that does not mean that you do not control your permanents in play.

Q: Would the effect from Psychic Possession that makes me skip my draw phase cancel out an effect that gives me the option to skip my draw phase? For example, would the card Island Sanctuary not work, because you are skipping your draw phase anyway?

A: You are not given the option of taking advantage of Island Sanctuary's ability if you control Psychic Possession. Island Sanctuary does not have you skip your entire draw step. It allows you to replace drawing a card within your draw step. If you do, then you can't be attacked by non-flying non-islandwalk creatures. However, Psychic Possession causes you to skip your entire draw step. This means that you are never given a chance to choose to replace the draw in your draw step.