Rules Tip of the Day: Unlike the ancient days of Magic, artifacts still"work" if they're tapped, unless the artifact specifically says so (like Howling Mine).

Q: My stupid friend thinks that Black Vice can only target one opponent when it has the upkeep effect. He thinks its not global, and when it comes into play, you have to choose a player to have it deal its damage. Who is right?

A: He might be stupid, but he's right on this one. It only applies to one player, the one you choose as Black Vise comes into play.

Q: I was playing FNM against a U/W control deck. At the end of my turn, he cycled Decree of Justice to make some Soldiers. After that resolved, I tried to Echoing Truth one of them, but he told me I couldn't because I didn't get priority. I think he's wrong.

A: You're correct. After the Decree ability resolves, players get back priority. The only time the game moves forward is when both players pass on an empty stack.

Q: If I equip my Wirewood Herald with Skullclamp, do I search first, draw first, or choose the order?

A: You choose the order. Both abilities trigger simultaneously, and since you control both, you choose which order to put the abilities on the stack.

Q: Coffin Queen targets Akroma, Angel of Wrath in a player’s graveyard. What happens?

A: Akroma gets put into play and stays there. Creatures only have their abilities in play unless the card specifically says otherwise. Coffin Queen's ability only targets the card in the graveyard, not once the creature is in play.

Q: Does Damping Matrix stop Contested Cliffs' ability?

A: No. Damping Matrix doesn't stop the Cliffs' ability because it's a land, not an artifact or a creature, and not a mana ability.

Q: Can I destroy Transcendence in response to its lose the game trigger going on the stack and thereby not lose?

A: No. Once the Transcendence trigger goes on the stack it will resolve no matter what. It doesn't recheck on resolution because it's not a conditional trigger.

Q: I have a question about the return ability of Gossamer Chains. During my first main phase I attempt to naturalize Gossamer Chains. My friend says he can return the card to his hand since returning it is just the activation of the card’s ability. I say you cannot because the text reads"target unblocked creature" and therefore there is no valid target. Am I correct on this?

A: Yes, you're correct. The ability has a targeting restriction on it, and a creature can't be unblocked during any Phase besides Combat, and then only after the Declare Blockers step (rule 309.2f).

Q: Is Pulse of the Tangle a Beast spell? With Krosan Warchief in play will it cost 1 less?

A: No. Beast is only a creature type, so Krosan Warchief will only apply to creature spells, even if they have Beast in their name. Pulse of the Tangle is a Sorcery.