Rules Tip of the Day: The decision to use a Replicate ability is made when a Replicate spell is played. It is at this time that the Replicate costs must be paid. You cannot play a Replicate spell and then choose to use the Replicate ability to make a copy of the spell any time after the initial announcement.

Q: I have Goblin Flectomancer in play and I cast a spell. My opponent then casts Parallectic Feedback on my spell. Can I then use Flectomancer to redirect the Feedback onto itself? And who will take the damage?

A: No, spells cannot target themselves. While you can sacrifice Goblin Flectromancer and target Parallectric Feedback with the Flectroancer's ability, you cannot choose to have the Parallectric Feedback target itself. If there are no other spells on the stack, then the target of the Feedback will remain the same.

Q: If I play Eternal Dominion, and use it to put a Mindslaver into play and take control of an opponent's turn, can I play their spells? I'm thinking that the "can't" on the Epic description overrides the "can" cast opponent's spells that Mindslaver grants me. Is this correct?

A: That is incorrect. The Epic effect only applies to you and your ability to play spells. With regards to Mindslaver, you are not playing spells, but controlling your opponent's turn and making your opponent play spells. The Epic effect will not prevent this from happening, as you are still not playing any spells.

Q: I play Plagiarize, targeting my opponent, then play Twincast. When my opponent is going to draw a card, will I draw two cards (for two Plagiarizes), or only one card?

A: You'll only draw one card. Plagiarize creates a replacement effect that changes when happens when your opponent would draw a card. If you have resolved two Plagiarizes, then you will have two replacement effects, but only one can be applied to each draw that your opponent would make.

Q: I play Probe with Kicker and want my opponent to discard two cards. In response he plays an Ivory Mask, which is legal because he has a Veldaken Orrery in play. What happens? Do I draw cards, or is the spell countered because of no legal targets?

A: You will not draw any cards. Probe with the kicker cost paid still only has one target. The single target is not legal when Probe goes to resolve, so the entire spell will be countered on resolution. This means that you will not draw any cards.

Q: Please explain how Jinxed Ring works exactly. The last statement on the card seems a bit circular. If I play Jinxed Ring, then sacrifice a creature to activate its ability and give it to target opponent, it says they gain control of Jinxed Ring permanently. But, as they are the controller, can they then sacrifice a creature to permanently give me control of it again, or does the permanently text negate their chance to use that ability?

A: When originally printed, Jinxed Ring used the word "permanently" to clarify that the change of control effect did not have a duration. Jinxed Ring now has errata so its text reads, "Sacrifice a creature: Target opponent gains control of Jinxed Ring. (This effect doesn't end at end of turn.)" So yes, the new controller of Jinxed Ring can sacrifice a creature to give control of the Jinxed Ring back. This can go on back and forth throughout the game.

Q: If I cast Polymorph on an indestructable creature I control, do I keep the creature and resolve the Polymorph?

A: Yes. Even if the targeted creature is not destroyed, you will still reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card and put it into play.

Q: Is it possible to pump Morphling before the targeted effect of Drop of Honey is put on the stack? This way, Morphling could be a 5/1 before the Drop becomes active, so it would be easier to kill my opponent's critters.

A: No, that doesn't work. No player will receive priority in the upkeep step before triggered abilities are put on the stack. And as you must choose a target when a targeted triggered ability is put on the stack, you will have to choose your Morphing if it is the creature with the lowest power.

Q: I've always found annoying the practice some players have of placing their lands forward, where creatures and non-land permanents usually are placed, and placing their non-land permanents behind their lands, where lands are usually placed. I feel this can be an intentional ploy to confuse the opponent, particularly since these players often don't advance their blockers toward an attacking creature, and simply state that such-and-such creature is blocking. Is this "land forward" placement legal in a sanctioned tournament? And is simply declaring a blocker without advancing it to a blocking position legal?

A: There are no hard and fast rules regarding the placement of cards that are in play. The only guideline is that you cannot lay out your permanents in order to confuse your opponent. I see your concern that when your opponent puts his lands "above" his creatures that it makes it difficult to physically block attacking creatures, but there is no rule that states that your defending creatures must touch or actually get in the way of attacking creatures. Often players announce their blocks without moving the blocking cards at all. If you are having problems with an opponent that is using this method, you can always ask him to rearrange his permanents; keep in mind that he can always say no. You can also move your blocking creatures near or even on top of your opponent's attacking creatures, if that helps you determine blocks or remain aware of the game state. This is really a communication issue; whatever two players want to do is fine as long as both are clear on the game state.