{Pithing Needle}
I still don't now what an activated ability is ... :( so What can and can't I target out of this list:
A planewalker
{Ætherling}
{Obzedat, Ghost Council}
Also what's the mana ability part is it like {Elvish Mystic} where it adds mana?
There's a very way to find an activated ability! Look for a colon (:). Every activated ability has a cost followed by a colon, in the following formula: [cost] : [ability].
So off of your list, the PW and Aetherling have activated abilities, but the Ghost Council does not.
Also, an ability that taps for mana is a mana ability, give me a moment to pull the ruling for you.
And here you are:
605.1a (http://imtgapp.com/forum/index.php?action=imtg;area=rule;number=605.1a): An activated ability is a mana ability if it meets three criteria: it doesn't have a target, it could put mana into a player's mana pool when it resolves, and it's not a loyalty ability. (See rule 606, "Loyalty Abilities.")
RESOLVED
Quote from: Keyeto on October 02, 2013, 12:53:39 PM
There's a very way to find an activated ability! Look for a colon (:). Every activated ability has a cost followed by a colon, in the following formula: [cost] : [ability].
So off of your list, the PW and Aetherling have activated abilities, but the Ghost Council does not.
Also, an ability that taps for mana is a mana ability, give me a moment to pull the ruling for you.
And here you are:
605.1a (http://imtgapp.com/forum/index.php?action=imtg;area=rule;number=605.1a): An activated ability is a mana ability if it meets three criteria: it doesn't have a target, it could put mana into a player's mana pool when it resolves, and it's not a loyalty ability. (See rule 606, "Loyalty Abilities.")
Thanks a lot Keyoto!!
So Pithing needle does not work on mana ability?
Pithing needle does NOT work on mana abilities. It's stated in the card's text.
Just to be clear, abilities that require you to pay mana to turn on/off are activated abilities.
See the above ruling to see what defines a "mana ability"
Thanks John. I should look at the card text first.
Quote from: Pirate John on October 03, 2013, 04:23:53 AM
Just to be clear, abilities that require you to pay mana to turn on/off are activated abilities.
No. Activated abilities are written "[Cost]: [Effect]." [Cost] is not always mana. {Cartel Aristocrat}, {Skirsdag High Priest}, and {Elvish Mystic} all have activated abilities. The Mystic's is a mana ability and can't be stopped by the Needle.
Quote from: MementoMori on October 03, 2013, 02:44:58 PM
Quote from: Pirate John on October 03, 2013, 04:23:53 AM
Just to be clear, abilities that require you to pay mana to turn on/off are activated abilities.
No. Activated abilities are written "[Cost]: [Effect]." [Cost] is not always mana. {Cartel Aristocrat}, {Skirsdag High Priest}, and {Elvish Mystic} all have activated abilities. The Mystic's is a mana ability and can't be stopped by the Needle.
No. I was just clarifying that the cost (represented by the mana symbol) didn't make the ability a mana ability. It's a common mistake for new players. I didn't say all activated abilities cost mana. You kinda projected it onto me. A peach is a fruit, but not all fruits are peaches sort-of thing.
Quote from: Pirate John on October 03, 2013, 04:23:53 AM
Just to be clear, abilities that require you to pay mana to turn on/off are activated abilities.
Another question on pithing needle;
Can it stop {Punishing Fire} 'returning from graveyard' ability?
Quote from: Maxpayne03 on October 05, 2013, 01:04:31 AM
Another question on pithing needle;
Can it stop {Punishing Fire} 'returning from graveyard' ability?
No, because {Pithing Needle} only affects activated abilities and that ability is a triggered.
Activated abilities look like this- Cost: Effect. Ex. {Deathrite Shaman}
Triggered abilities have a trigger condition and an effect. They are written as "[Trigger condition], [effect]," and begin with the word "when," "whenever," or "at." They can also be expressed as "[When/Whenever/At] [trigger event], [effect]." Ex. {Thragtusk}
Static abilities are abilities that are always take affect. Ex. Lifelink (as seen on {Unflinching Courage})