Iona Trigger

[Maxpayne03]

If my opponent {Show and Tell} an {Iona, Shield of Emeria} and choose white color, can I in response to the triggered ability, cast {Unexpectedly Absent} to return it?

[Kaleo42]

They don't choose a color until the ability resolves so if you let them pick the color it's to late. You can respond to the trigger though.

[Giggle the Draco Genius]

Hmm this is interesting due to the ruling attached to the card


10/1/2009   Once the color is chosen, it's too late for opponents to respond by casting spells of that color. Iona is not yet in the battlefield at the time the color is chosen, so, for example, there's no way for an opponent to destroy it by casting Doom Blade if the chosen color is black.

And since you can not respond to the creature chosen from show and tell as putting the permanent in is part of the resolution as is making choices for the creature. Also seen in the ruling from show and tell. I feel like you would not have time to respond. Although this question could be above me and I am looking too far into it.

[xStrayKnightx]

Are you saying you have to cut in before they actually say what colour they choose?

[Sardok]

Are you saying you have to cut in before they actually say what colour they choose?

Unfortunately, you would have to cut in before {Show and Tell} resolves. I believe that you would literally have no idea that your opponent will choose {Iona, Shield of Emeria} until after {Show and Tell}, which also means you won't be able to respond to it at all.

Long story short, don't let the first spell resolve!

[xStrayKnightx]

No, I'm saying that with Iona, if you choose Blue, they can't counter her. Is that right? Once you've spoken of a colour of your choice, no opponents can cast spells of that colour.

Oh, my friends are gonna hate me even more now...

[Kaleo42]

No, I'm saying that with Iona, if you choose Blue, they can't counter her. Is that right? Once you've spoken of a colour of your choice, no opponents can cast spells of that colour.

Oh, my friends are gonna hate me even more now...

If she hasn't resolved as a spell she can be countered. She has to resolve and enter for her effect to be active.

[Gorzo]

People have a bad habit with Iona of declaring the color when they cast her, or otherwise at the wrong time. Don't let them. When they name a color say "she hasn't resolved yet, I might have a response."

Then you {Counterspell} her, even if they named blue, because her ability isn't there yet for them to name a color. If she's not on the field yet, no color has been chosen.

In the case of show and tell, it's a bit trickier since no player receives priority during the resolution of the spell. You can respond to Show and Tell, but once it starts, you won't be able to cast anything until it's over and Iona is already on the field (including her chosen color).

Don't let your opponent get away with denying you your rightful priority chances just because they're rushing, sloppy, or mind-gaming. Slow them down and run them through the legal gameplay.

[Kaleo42]

People have a bad habit with Iona of declaring the color when they cast her, or otherwise at the wrong time. Don't let them. When they name a color say "she hasn't resolved yet, I might have a response."

Then you {Counterspell} her, even if they named blue, because her ability isn't there yet for them to name a color. Or in the case of {Unexpectedly Absent} or the like, say "okay, she resolves, but in response to her ETB trigger, I cast Unexpectedly Absent before it resolves and you get to choose a color."

Don't let your opponent get away with denying you your rightful priority chances just because they're rushing, sloppy, or mind-gaming. Slow them down and run them through the legal gameplay.

Careful there. It is not an ETB. It says "as it enters" similar to a {clone} creature.

[Gorzo]

People have a bad habit with Iona of declaring the color when they cast her, or otherwise at the wrong time. Don't let them. When they name a color say "she hasn't resolved yet, I might have a response."

Then you {Counterspell} her, even if they named blue, because her ability isn't there yet for them to name a color. Or in the case of {Unexpectedly Absent} or the like, say "okay, she resolves, but in response to her ETB trigger, I cast Unexpectedly Absent before it resolves and you get to choose a color."

Don't let your opponent get away with denying you your rightful priority chances just because they're rushing, sloppy, or mind-gaming. Slow them down and run them through the legal gameplay.

Careful there. It is not an ETB. It says "as it enters" similar to a {clone} creature.

Yeah, noticed that right after posting - amending my answer to be correct

[Sardok]

People have a bad habit with Iona of declaring the color when they cast her, or otherwise at the wrong time. Don't let them. When they name a color say "she hasn't resolved yet, I might have a response."

Then you {Counterspell} her, even if they named blue, because her ability isn't there yet for them to name a color. Or in the case of {Unexpectedly Absent} or the like, say "okay, she resolves, but in response to her ETB trigger, I cast Unexpectedly Absent before it resolves and you get to choose a color."

Don't let your opponent get away with denying you your rightful priority chances just because they're rushing, sloppy, or mind-gaming. Slow them down and run them through the legal gameplay.

I don't think Iona has a triggered ability though since it says "as" instead of the normal "when", "whenever" or "at". So you can't cast {Unexpectedly Absent} in response if white is named.

Edit: argh too slow!

[Maxpayne03]

So I can confirm that I cannot cast {Unexpectedly Absent} as it is not a triggered ETB effect?

[Gorzo]

So I can confirm that I cannot cast {Unexpectedly Absent} as it is not a triggered ETB effect?

Assuming he chose White as the named color, it would appear so.