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Rules Q&A » Post: Spells resolving with one illegal target

Spells resolving with one illegal target

March 7, 2014 06:20:47 PM

Sebastian Stückl
Judge (Uncertified)

German-speaking countries

Spells resolving with one illegal target

A player attacks with 2 creatures. His opponent controls 2 creatures and single-blocks both attacking creatures, then casts Triton Tactics targeting both blocking creatures. In response, one of the creatures targeted with Triton Tactics is destroyed(or otherwise becomes an illegal target, perhaps because it gains shroud or protection).
Assuming nothing else happens, and Triton Tactics resolves, what happens when the delayed triggered ability created by it resolves? Will it attempt to tap the creature that was blocked by the destroyed creature, and will it stop that creature from untapping on its controller's next untap step? Why does this work whichever way it does?


Furthermore, if a player casts Blinding Beam using Entwine, targeting a player and two creatures that player controls, but one of those creatures becomes an illegal target before Blinding Beam resolves, will that creature untap during that player's next untap step according to rule 608.2b?
Specifically, this part:
If the spell or ability creates a continuous effect that affects game rules (see rule
613.10), that effect doesn’t apply to illegal targets.

Thanks for your answers!

Yours sincerely,
Sebastian Stückl

March 11, 2014 11:11:09 PM

Nathan Long
Forum Moderator
Judge (Level 2 (Judge Foundry))

USA - Southwest

Spells resolving with one illegal target

This was updated with the Born of the Gods rules update. You quoted the relevant section of 608.2b: the spell will no longer affect the illegal target.

In this case, the Tactics won't affect the illegal target. For intance, let's say I attack with a Thragtusk and you block with a Grizzly Bear. You cast Triton Tactics on the Bear and another random creature. I respond to that spell by Doom Blading your Grizzly Bear. The Tactics won't try to affect the Bear, since it's no longer on the battlefield, so my Thragtusk will untap like normal during my next untap step.

Likewise, with Blinding Beam, if one of the targets gains protection or shroud, the first half of the entwined Beam will not affect it: it won't become tapped by the Beam, but the second half will affect it and prevent it from untapping (because it's affecting that player, not directly affecting the creature, so having shroud or protection will not save it).

Nathan Long
Level 2 Judge
Wizards.Com Boards NetRep

Edited Nathan Long (March 12, 2014 03:24:34 AM)

March 12, 2014 03:21:48 AM

Nathan Long
Forum Moderator
Judge (Level 2 (Judge Foundry))

USA - Southwest

Spells resolving with one illegal target

Oops, one correction on the Blinding Beam topic:

The creature won't become tapped by the Beam, but the Beam's second half says that creatures that target player controls don't untap during their next untap step. The creature having protection or should won't help against that, so even if the creature gained protection or shroud in response to the Beam, it still won't untap during their next untap step.

Sorry about the confusion,

Nathan Long
Level 2 Judge
Wizards.Com Boards NetRep