Ask the Judge, 10/15/2008
Rules Tip of the Day: The ability of the Shards of Alara card Demon's Herald instructs you to sacrifice three different creatures. This means that you cannot sacrifice just one creature that is blue, black, and red to search for Prince of Thralls. You can sacrifice a multicolored creature, but you will still have to sacrifice two other creatures as well.
Q: If I use Reality Ripple to phase out a creature that has been brought into play with the unearth ability, will it be removed from the game instead? Does phasing get around the rule, since "leaves play" abilities don't trigger?
A: Yes, it will be removed from the game, and no, phasing does not get around this. The effect that removes a creature from the game anytime it would leave play not from a triggered ability. It is a replacement effect that is created when the unearth ability resolves.
Q: With Blister Beetle, if I play it, put a -1/-1 counter on Grim Poppet and then move it, is it still removed at the end of the turn?
A: Blister Beetle's ability does not put -1/-1 counters on a creature; it gives a creature -1/-1 until the end of a turn. You cannot move anything with regards to this ability, as there is nothing to move.
Q: What will happen if I have a Lich's Mirror in play when I concede a game?
A: You will leave the game. Because you are no longer in the game you will lose. Lich's Mirror does not change anything when you concede a game.
Q: Does Mindlock Orb prevent abilities like ripple or scry?
A: No, because those abilities do not have players search their libraries; they have them reveal cards or look at cards on top of their libraries. This also applies to other abilities like clash.
Q: Regarding Lush Growth, can you tap the enchanted land for all three mana or does it still only give you one?
A: Lush Growth makes the enchanted land have three different land types. You can tap this land for red mana, white mana, or green mana. You will only get one mana each time you tap it, not all three.
Q: I can't seem to figure out whether you are allowed to use Commune with Nature to fetch tribal cards like Lignify or Nameless Inversion. Why or why not?
A: You cannot. Tribal cards have creature subtypes, but they are not creature cards. Commune with Nature only allows you to put an actual creature card into your hand.
Q: Can Pull From Eternity put a Flickering Spirit in the graveyard once it uses its ability?
A: No. Flickering Spirit will be removed from the game and then returned to the game when its ability resolves. At no time will it be removed from the game while a player has priority to pay spells and abilities.
Q: I have three Soldier tokens and Darien, King of Kjeldor in play. If I play Cleansing Beam and all my creatures take two damage, do I get two Soldiers from the two damage, or do I get two Soldiers for each creature that got hit?
A: You will not get any creature tokens. Darien, King of Kjeldor's ability triggers when you are dealt damage, not when creatures you control are dealt damage.
Q: I have Yosei, the Morning Star in play and a Hell's Caretaker. During my upkeep, am I able to sacrifice Yosei to return it to play using Hell's Caretakers ability?
A: No, you target a creature when you play the ability, before you pay any costs. So when you need to target a creature card in your graveyard, the Yosei is in play. This combo can work if you have two copies of Yosei—one in your graveyard and one in play—but not if just have one in play.
Q: How does No Mercy work in Two-Headed Giant games?
A: Not well. The combat damage from the creatures attacking your team can be assigned to your partner. If it is, then No Mercy's ability will not trigger.





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