A) Aloysius controls Experiment Kraj and an Eager Cadet with a +1/+1 counter on it. He then plays Psionic Gift on the Eager Cadet. Does Kraj have the Psionic Gift ability? What if he had played Psionic Gift before playing Experiment Kraj?

B) Aloysius controls a Galvanic Alchemist. He plays Experiment Kraj, then plays a Harabaz Druid, pairing the latter with Galvanic Alchemist. On the next turn, he uses Kraj's ability to put a +1/+1 counter on Harabaz Druid. Does Kraj have the ability “2U: Untap this creature”? Is Galvanic Alchemist's ability's timestamp when it became a permanent, or the last time its “as long as” condition was met?

613.7a An effect is said to “depend on” another if (a) it’s applied in the same layer (and, if applicable, sublayer) as the other effect (see rules 613.1 and 613.3); (b) applying the other would change the text or the existence of the first effect, what it applies to, or what it does to any of the things it applies to; and © neither effect is from a characteristic-defining ability or both effects are from characteristic-defining abilities. Otherwise, the effect is considered to be independent of the other effect.

Aaron, you are right that all of these effects apply in the same layer (6), and you are also quoting the correct reference to answer both your questions. Kraj's effect is dependent on the other effects, so it will have those abilities.

In scenario A, the aura grants the creature an activated ability - it's not an ability of the aura itself, so Kraj will gain it irrespective of timestamps because of dependency.

In scenario B, timestamps are again irrelevant for the same reason - Galvanic Alchemist's static ability grants Harabaz Druid the “2U: Untap etc” activated ability, so Kraj can gain it.

Originally posted by Adam Liebman:

Aaron, you are right that all of these effects apply in the same layer (6), and you are also quoting the correct reference to answer both your questions. Kraj's effect is dependent on the other effects, so it will have those abilities.

Thanks. I was blanking on identifying the dependency, but it clearly falls under “what it does to any of the things it applies to”; Kraj's ability applies to itself, and what it does depends on other effects that give abilities to creatures.

As for the “as long as” timestamps, I'm going off the assumption it's derived from the ability-granting ability itself and not the ability it grants. If, for example, Gravity Sphere is in play, I control an Auriok Sunchaser and I play my third artifact, the soldier will get +2/+2 but won't have flying. Is this correct?

Edited Aaron Huntsman (Jan. 26, 2013 02:19:31 AM)

It depends ;)

Auriok Sunchaser has a static ability that operates in layers 6 and 7c.
Gravity Sphere operates in layer 6.

The Sunchaser's static ability has the same timestamp as the Sunchaser, so if the Sphere was in play first, the Sunchaser will have +2/+2 and flying. If the Sunchaser was in play first, it will only get +2/+2.

Contrast with if you had eg a Dross Hopper and activate its ability - “613.6b A continuous effect generated by the resolution of a spell or ability receives a timestamp at the time it’s created.”. When the ability resolves, it will have flying as it has a newer timestamp than Gravity Sphere.

likewise Yixlid Jailer shuts down Necrotic Ooze because of dependency