[[Pithing Needle]] [[Phantasmal Dragon]]
Can Pithing Needle's effect stop an Illusion's "Sacrifice" ability from coming into effect? I realize there are better alternatives I can play, but I figure one or two in my deck might not harm much if I can keep a cheap powerhouse on the field and possible buff it up some.
Nope. [[[Pithing Needle]]] has no interaction whatsoever with the sacrifice-me Illusion creatures like [[[Phantasmal Dragon]]].
[[[Pithing Needle]]] says that activated abilities of the named card cannot be activated, but the sacrifice-me ability of [[[Phantasmal Dragon]]] and its friends isn't an activated ability. It's a triggered ability. From the Comprehensive Rules:
602.1. Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as "[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation instructions (if any).]"
603.1. Triggered abilities have a trigger condition and an effect. They are written as "[Trigger condition], [effect]," and begin with the word "when," "whenever," or "at." They can also be expressed as "[When/Whenever/At] [trigger event], [effect]."
Since the Dragon's ability is not an activated ability, it isn't affected by the Needle.
Oh, and just to mention it: the Needle mentions that it doesn't stop mana abilities. A mana ability is an ability that produces mana (and fits a few other criteria)--players often make the mistake of thinking mana abilities are abilities that cost mana, but they're not.
605.1a An activated ability is a mana ability if it meets three criteria: it doesn't have a target, it could put mana into a player's mana pool when it resolves, and it's not a loyalty ability. (See rule 606, "Loyalty Abilities.")
Thank you, as always, for the rule references, GrifterMage
Cambin Walsh ( 2013-01-31 13:40:39 -0500 )editPithing Needle only stops activated abilities, Illusions have a triggered ability.
Activated abilities are formatted as Cost: Effect while triggered abilities are usually "When/Whenever/At the end/beginning of" something, then the effect.
So no, pithing needle will not stop illusions from being sacrificed.
Thank you, I figured as much but was kinda hoping otherwise.
Cambin Walsh ( 2013-01-31 13:39:59 -0500 )editAsked: 2013-01-31 12:09:45 -0500
Seen: 84 times
Last updated: Jan 31
