This week we're highlighting the answer given by Michael Elwell, L1 from Texas
Originally posted by Michael Elwell:
I'd issue no penalty and let them draw, the trigger was announced just not resolved so it's not a missed trigger.
The key piece of information that many missed was the fact that
Niko must be acting in Ajit's Main Phase, since the floating white mana was used to cast Lightning Helix.Since Niko is acting in Ajit's main phase, Ajit using the combat shortcut is no longer relevant - he effectively only passed priority once since Niko responded immediately. Niko could have been acting with the Spreading Seas trigger still on the stack, so we treat it as such. No game actions have been taken that indicate we are past the point where the trigger should have resolved.
There is no infraction, the Spreading Seas trigger is still on the stack.