A friend of mine was telling me a story the other day, and he told me planeswalkers have a special kind of priority. He says that all planeswalkers, if resolved, may activate a loyalty ability as soon as it hits the battelfield,(main phase of course), and nothing can interfere with that ability resolving. It sounded strange and farfetched but I haven't found a ruling on it so I'm not sure. Example: An opponent casts Garruk Relentless and tries to make a 2/2 wolf creature token, but you activate cyclonic rift to return it to his hand as soon as he plays it. What happens?
Honestly, it's nothing special about the planeswalker. This is all about the stack, and priority!
Planeswalker abilities like all non-mana abilities use the stack. They are also independent of their sources on the stack so if you kill the planeswalker in response to its ability the ability will still resolve normally.
To elaborate: Once your planeswalker resolves, the active player will be given priority. Assuming the active player is the one who just played the planeswalker, they have priority first, and may activate their planeswalker's ability. Then, the ability is placed on the stack, and the other player is given an opportunity to respond to it. If they destroy the planeswalker, the ability remains on the stack, and will resolve accordingly.
To elaborate even more: To say that "nothing may interfere" is incorrect, however. A card like {Stifle} is all it takes to get rid of that ability!
RESOLVED
Quote from: Keyeto on January 31, 2013, 11:35:29 AM
Honestly, it's nothing special about the planeswalker. This is all about the stack!
Planeswalker abilities like all non-mana abilities use the stack. They are also independent of their sources on the stack so if you kill the planeswalker in response to its ability the ability will still resolve normally.
I understand that, but my question lies in the planeswalker ability itself. Your opponent plays garruk, you play cyclonic rift to return it to their hand BEFORE any abilities are declared. My friend told me planeswalkers have special priority that allow their loyalty abilities to be used at least once. Question is, which one has priority, cyclonic rift, or the planeswalker?
Quote from: Xane on January 31, 2013, 11:41:29 AM
Quote from: Keyeto on January 31, 2013, 11:35:29 AM
Honestly, it's nothing special about the planeswalker. This is all about the stack!
Planeswalker abilities like all non-mana abilities use the stack. They are also independent of their sources on the stack so if you kill the planeswalker in response to its ability the ability will still resolve normally.
I understand that, but my question lies in the planeswalker ability itself. Your opponent plays garruk, you play cyclonic rift to return it to their hand BEFORE any abilities are declared. My friend told me planeswalkers have special priority that allow their loyalty abilities to be used at least once. Question is, which one has priority, cyclonic rift, or the planeswalker?
No card has priority; it is the player. You play a planeswalker, and it resolves. YOU then have priority to activate the ability, since it is your turn. Then, your opponent gains priority to respond to that ability. They cannot play the rift without first allowing you to activate the ability, since you gain priority before they do.
Also, refer to the "To elaborate" part on my original post. I modified it after you had replied, I believe, so you might not have seen it. It exains the player-priority thing.
Good job guys, to some it up in the fewest words possible.
If it's not your turn you CANT do stuff just because you feel like it. You CAN respond to the players actions who's turn it is. (Spells, abilities, triggers, and phase changes are actions you can respond to)
Ok while we're on the subject and this actually might come up during tonight's FNM, if I want to make my opponent discard a card they just drew and its the only card in their hand is it possible to use {mind rot} before the end of my opponents draw phase?
Quote from: Jdogtoocool on February 01, 2013, 06:23:14 PM
Ok while we're on the subject and this actually might come up during tonight's FNM, if I want to make my opponent discard a card they just drew and its the only card in their hand is it possible to use {mind rot} before the end of my opponents draw phase?
No, mind rot is a sorcery, so you may only use it on your turn, when you have priority and the stack is empty. It cannot be played on their turn.
If you have an instant speed discard effect, however, you could make them discard what they just drew. The draw step goes like this:
504. Draw Step
504.1. First, the active player draws a card. This turn-based action doesn't use the stack.
504.2. Second, any abilities that trigger at the beginning of the draw step and any other abilities that have triggered go on the stack.
504.3. Third, the active player gets priority. Players may cast spells and activate abilities.
After the active player (the opponent) passes priority, you will be given priority to cast spells and activate abilities, before the next phase begins. This would be the time to use your instant speed discard, if you have one.
Nice, I thought that card was an instant for the longest time. Turns out there is no instant speed discard in standard outside if the following combo:{tragic slip} you're own {Drainpipe Vermin} and pay black at the end of your opponents draw phase.
Thanks for explains this because I thought it would go like this
You summon your pw
It's not countered so it hits the battle field
Now apnap have a chance for fast effects( instances or abilities )
Then person who summoned the ow can do sorcery spells
That's how I've been playing but I have to correct it now