Killing wave + blood artist

[Paraluke]

I have  {Blood Artist} and both my opponent and I have other creatures in the battlefield. I cast  {Killing Wave} (just take X to be 2). My understanding is that for creatures that we chose not to pay, all of them die simultaneously. Assuming the artist is sacrificed this way, I believe his effect still triggers, making me gain life and opponent losing life.

Please confirm if I am right?

[Monrodesign]

Yes if you have lets say 4 creatures, and your opponent has 3 creatures if you both decided to let your creatures die as opposed to biting the damage, you'll gain 7 life and your opponent(s) lose 7.

[InfinitiveDivinity]

It's a very nasty combo 😉

[Paraluke]

Yea, planning a deck on it. Just chanced on the idea.

[Wally]

Also add {Dying Wish} and some cheap fattys like {Desecration Demon} and so on.

[Byerley121]

Nasty combo with demon is to use  {Burst of Strength} to untapped it.

[Paraluke]

I'm not too sure if I can respond with an instant to untap it "at the beginning of combat".

What's the stand?

[MisterJH]

I had the same question and the answer is.. No according to my understanding

You can untap is at the end of declare attackers step, leaving it untapped to block opponents creatures. But i dont believe theres a chance to respond before attackers must be declared.

[Keyeto]

I'm not too sure if I can respond with an instant to untap it "at the beginning of combat".

What's the stand?

You can. When steps and phases begin (there are few exceptions) players gain priority. After the Demon's ability resolves and your opponent decides to sacrifice a creature to tap the Demon, you'll get priority once again in the Beginning of Combat Step. You can cast Burst of Strength to untap it.

[Mentonin]

It is supposed to untapped the demon after they chose to tap him, but before attackers are declared

[Paraluke]

Okay, that is evil. Lol

[Wally]

No, it works.
As the  {Desecration Demon}'s trigger goes on the stack at the beginning of the combat phase but before the attack phase. Players respond by sacing and tapping him down, adding a counter. Priority is then back to the active player to then cast any instants or activate any abilities they want to, hence cast  {Burst of Strength} and it resolves, pass priority to opponent who sighs.
Then it's attack step and you can swing with him.

[MisterJH]

Argh! Theres still thing about this game to learn! And i guess my friends incorrectly explaining all this jazz doesnt help :/