Ask the Judge, 03/30/2005
Rules Tip of the Day: All targets of a spell or ability must be legal when the spell or ability is announced. You may not purposely choose an illegal target to get some benefit, like triggering an ability that triggers when targets are chosen.
Q: Would the replacement effect of Tomorrow, Azami’s Familiar replace the entire effect of Sensei’s Divining Top, or only the draw portion of the Top’s effect? In other words, with both permanents in play, can I tap the Top and look at the top three cards, put one in my hand, the rest on the bottom and NOT have put the Top back on top of my library? Or will the Top be put on top of my library because Tomorrow only partially replaces the Top’s effect?
A: Tomorrow's ability only affects the draw portion of that ability; the rest will still resolve as normal. Because you are still drawing a card, you will have to put the Top on top of your library after looking at the top three, choosing one and putting the remainder on the bottom of your library.
Q. I have Empty-Shrine Kannushi, Isao, Enlightened Bushi, and Jugan The Rising Star in play. When Jugan goes to the graveyard after being killed by Rend Spirit can I put the +1/+1 counters on Empty-Shrine Kannushi.
A: Assuming that Jugan was the only green permanent you controlled, then yes you will be able to target Empty-Shrine Kannushi with Jugan's ability. This works because Jugan will not be in play when this ability goes on the stack and you need to choose a target.
Q: If That Which Was Taken has placed counters on permanents but it is sent to the graveyard are all of the objects still Indestructible?
A: Permanents with Divinity counters are only Indestructible while That Which Was Taken is still in play. The only exception are the Myojins, if they have a Divinity counter on them then their own abilities will make them indestructible.
Q: I attack with Ogre Marauder and my opponent controls two Cruel Deceiver. He sacrifices one so that he can block with the other one. Can I now play Torrent of Stone to kill this creature before he gets to assign it as a blocker?
A: Yes. Because your opponent sacrifices a creature when Ogre Marauder's triggered ability resolves, your opponent will sacrifice one of his Deceivers before blockers are declared. After the Marauder's ability resolves both player will receive priority before blockers are declared, and you can play Torrent of Stone.
Q: I have two untapped lands and Uyo, Silent Prophet in play, and those two lands are targeted by Plow Under. I use those two lands to copy the Plow Under using Uyo. Does the spell get copied, since the original is countered for lack of target?
A: Yes. The original Plow Under will not be countered until it attempts to resolve. Uyo's ability will resolve and make a copy of this spell before that happens.
Q: I have Coffin Queen in play, which I used to take control of Royal Assassin from my graveyard, during my turn. On my opponent's turn he plays Wrath of God. Does my Royal Assassin get removed from the game?
A: It will remain in the graveyard. When Coffin Queen's leaves play triggered ability resolves, Royal Assassin will be in your graveyard and the ability will not be able to find it there.
Q: What happens if Quicksilver Elemental copies Mischievous Quanar’s abilities and the Elemental is turned face down? Is there any way to bring it back up? Does it keep Morph until end of turn?
A: If it copies the activated ability of a Mischievous Quanar and uses this ability to turn itself face down, it will stay fact down as it does not have a Morph cost to reveal to end the face down effect. This effect will not end at the end of the current turn.
Q: My friend gained control of my Day of the Dragons and said he also gained control of my seven 5/5 dragons. Is this right?
A: No. Gaining control of another player's Day of the Dragons will not grant them control of the token creatures put into play by Day of the Dragon's triggered ability. However if Day of the Dragons' leaves play, then your Dragons will remain in play, he will sacrifice any if he has them and the creature cards removed by the Day of the Dragon's coming into play ability will be put into play under his control.
















