Chronomaton

[Falcon182]

Hey, in a draft today I had out an {attendant knight} and my opponent had out a {chronomaton} with one +1/+1 counter on it (making it a 2/2). I attacked with my knight and he declared his blocker, then paid the one mana and tapped it to give it another +1/+1 counter, which he says made it a 3/3, thus killing my 2/2 with first strike. Is that proper? Thanks.

[scarsabrex]

legal

[Falcon182]

So you can block with something and then use an ability and that doesn't remove it from combat or anything? Good to know!

[Gorzo]

Yes, unless something specifically removes it from combat ({maze of ith}), once a creature is declared a blocker, it's in combat for good, even if it then becomes tapped after being declared by a fast effect.

Noteworthy: regeneration removes a creature from combat and taps it. So if someone {shock}s your 2/2 regen blocker, tap it and remove from combat. Attacker hits air, and you don't have to regen again.

[Tumalc]

{Chronomaton}'s ability requires him to tap. After he declares Chronomaton as a blocker but before damage is dealt he can tap him to add a counter to him. I believe you Knight lives since no damage is exchanged.

Isn't this the same as declaring a blocker then {Cloudshift} your blocker removing it from combat to save it?

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Gorzo]

No, even though chronomaton is tapping for an ability, he is already declared as a blocker, and tapping does not remove him from combat like a {cloudshift} does. He stays in combat as a 3/3, which survives and kills the 2/2 first-striker.

[Tumalc]

No, even though chronomaton is tapping for an ability, he is already declared as a blocker, and tapping does not remove him from combat like a {cloudshift} does. He stays in combat as a 3/3, which survives and kills the 2/2 first-striker.

I never knew that... Thanks Gorzo.

[Gorzo]

Yup, anytime you are absolutely correct about {cloudshift} though! Of the blocker goes away after being declared, no damage (unless there's trample)

[Tumalc]

"Tapping or untapping a creature that's already been declared as an attacker or blocker doesn't remove it from combat and doesn't prevent its combat damage. (This is contrary to pre-sixth edition rules.)"

Found this via google on Mtg Salvation wiki...
Apparently It was a rule change a long time ago. I stopped playing at Ice Age, then returned at Innistrad... Woah.

Again nice call Gorzo!

[Gorzo]

Neat. Didn't play that long ago, I never knew about that.

The more you know ~~

[BlackJester]

There have been quite a few rules changes since Sixth edition that you might want to check. No mana burn, combat damage doesn't use the stack, multiple blockers is handled differently, umm anything else?

[Falcon182]

"Tapping or untapping a creature that's already been declared as an attacker or blocker doesn't remove it from combat and doesn't prevent its combat damage. (This is contrary to pre-sixth edition rules.)"

Found this via google on Mtg Salvation wiki...
Apparently It was a rule change a long time ago. I stopped playing at Ice Age, then returned at Innistrad... Woah.

Again nice call Gorzo!

Ah, I think that's where my confusion came in. I played back through Urza block then stopped for many years. I wish I had held on to more of those old cards!!

[An Angry Fatman]

This is actually really interesting. So if I attack with {falkenrath aristocrat} and someone interrupts my attack with a {gideon's lawkeeper} or a {niblis of the breath} activated ability of tapping the attacking creature would not negate the attack? Or same thing about blocking? The attack still goes through? I think this just blew my mind...

[Jroch314]

This is actually really interesting. So if I attack with {falkenrath aristocrat} and someone interrupts my attack with a {gideon's lawkeeper} or a {niblis of the breath} activated ability of tapping the attacking creature would not negate the attack? Or same thing about blocking? The attack still goes through? I think this just blew my mind...

Yes because there is no response to tapping. Tapping for an ability is a cost and doesn't use the stack. Just like tapping your lands cannot be responded to. To tap the creature and prevent it from attacking it would have to happen before combat. Don't worry I was just recently brought to light on this as well. Also if you go to tap a creature with an activated ability like {gideon's lawkeeper} and that creature has a tap activated ability like {prodigal sorcerer} it can be activated in response before their created is tapped.

[Harmon74]

I played pre-6th, and did not know about that change.  Thanks.  Very helpful for an old dog.