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Knowledge Pool Scenarios » Post: To Infinity and Beyond! - SILVER

To Infinity and Beyond! - SILVER

Aug. 25, 2025 09:13:37 PM

Matt Muckle
Forum Moderator
Level 3 Judge (Judge Foundry), Judge

USA - Midatlantic

To Infinity and Beyond! - SILVER

Welcome back everyone.  This week were taking a peak at another Silver scenerio.  Think carefully and let us know how you would solve the issue.  Feel free to let us know any questions you may want to ask.


You are the Head Judge of a Legacy tournament being run at Competitive REL. In game two, Alex shows that they can gain arbitrary life using a combo with Kitchen Finks, and gains 10 billion life. Nathan agrees, then Alex says they have an Aetherflux Reservoir in their deck.


Nathan says that they have no outs, but wants to continue playing out the game. Nathan is up 1-0 in the match, and continues playing at their normal pace, attacking and casting spells that they draw.


Alex calls for a judge and explains they are worried about time running out when Nathan has admitted they have no way to win the match.  Nathan explains they are aimng to draw the game by the time in the round running out.  


What do you do?

Edited Matt Muckle (Aug. 25, 2025 09:14:34 PM)

Aug. 25, 2025 10:23:55 PM

Sam Kudlack
Level 1 Judge (Judge Foundry), Judge

USA - Northeast

To Infinity and Beyond! - SILVER

No issue here. Remind them to continue to play at a reasonable pace. 

There is almost definitely some 'feels bad' here but you don't have to concede just because you can't win. As long as they are not slowing down to intentionally play the clock then I'm doing nothing. 

In my imagination this is not the fastest judge call so I'm likely issuing an extension, which may be a touchy subject considering the matter

Aug. 25, 2025 11:48:06 PM

Blake Fain
Level 1 Judge (Judge Foundry), Judge

USA - South Central

To Infinity and Beyond! - SILVER

Alex is worried their opponent may be committing Slow Play or, more aggressively, Stalling.

This is not the case - Nathan is playing his turn at a normal pace, and he is not required to conceed even if he has no way to win a game.  It is even possible that Alex does not actually have the Aetherflux Reservoir in his deck.  It's highly unlikely, but given that the card is in a hidden zone he is more than permitted to lie to his opponent about its existence there (though not to a judge).

I would begin by informing Alex that Nathan is not currently Stalling, which is Slow Play with the intent of taking advantage of the time limit, and as long as Nathan continues playing at a normal pace, Nathan is not required to conceed, even if he has no means of winning the game.  Continue playing, if Alex cannot win by the end of overtime turns, Nathan will have won the match.

Furthermore, as Head Judge, I would ensure the match continues to be monitored closely for slow play, most likely by situating a Floor Judge close to the game.  While Alex's complaints are not valid at this time, he is correct that Nathan could be incentivized to stall if he believed he could get away with it.  Ensuring the match is being monitored will help keep the game fair for both players.