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If I use Ray of Command to gain control of an opponent's creature and then use Reality Ripple to phase it out before my End step, will I still control that creature when it phases in? If not, will it phase back in during my Untap step or my opponent's and will it tap when I lose control of it?

[[Ray of Command]] [[Reality Ripple]]

flag	asked Feb 17 at 2:10 CodeSavvyGeek♦ 2,121●3●10

	I guess I'll withdraw my parallel question then :) – Shushoto♦ Feb 17 at 2:32
	good qustion +1 – rif-raf♦ Feb 17 at 9:41
	Oh how I miss Ray of Command. One of the nastiest tricks blue had. – ripper234♦ Feb 17 at 9:52
	@Shushoto: I did not mean this question to replace yours. I think both are useful to keep. – CodeSavvyGeek♦ Feb 17 at 21:13

CodeSavvyGeek · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-17 22:16:03Z UTC

702.23a Phasing is a static ability that modifies the rules of the untap step. During each player’s untap step, before the active player untaps his or her permanents, all phased-in permanents with phasing that player controls “phase out.” Simultaneously, all phased-out permanents that had phased out under that player’s control “phase in.”

Rule 702.23a says that phased-out permanents phase in during the untap step of the permanent's controller when it phased out. This means the stolen creature will phase in during my untap step since it phased out under my control.

702.23e Continuous effects that affect a phased-out permanent may expire while that permanent is phased out. If so, they will no longer affect that permanent once it’s phased in. In particular, effects with “for as long as” durations that track that permanent (see rule 611.2b) end when that permanent phases out because they can no longer see it.

Rule 702.23e says that continuous effects that affect the permanent continue to expire while the permanent is phased out. When the stolen creature phases in during my untap step, it will no longer be under my control since the controlling effect has already expired. Also, since the delay-triggered effect that would tap the creature if I lost control of it will not trigger since the game never sees me lose control of the creature. It simply phases out under my control and phases in under its original controller's control. Then event of me losing control of the creature never happens.

Instead of phasing out the permanent, if I had used Synod Sanctum or Cold Storage, the creatures would return to play as completely new creatures with no memory of their previous life and would remain under my control permanently. Note that they are still put into their owner's graveyard when they die.

[[Synod Sanctum]] [[Cold Storage]]

masterm · Answer 2 · 2010-02-17 21:51:21Z UTC

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I believe you still lose control at the end of turn, regardless of the 'location' of the creature.

edited Feb 17 at 21:51

answered Feb 17 at 3:29

masterm
47●5

1

Agreed, it is phased out, but still in play, kind of. You would loose control of it, and it would tap etc... Also, since at the end of your turn it goes back to the owner it would untap and unphase as normal because it went under his control during your turn. – DarkMantle Feb 17 at 13:50

Initially I thought the same, but now I don't understand why this would be so. Can you find a reference? – ripper234♦ Feb 17 at 22:13

While I believe the end effect is correct, this is not completely accurate. While phased out, the game treats permanents as not existing. Also, rule 702.23d indicates that phased-out creatures are not under anyone's control. – CodeSavvyGeek♦ Feb 17 at 22:19

ripper234 · Answer 3 · 2010-02-17 22:12:23Z UTC

If a permanent phases out, its status changes to "phased out." Except for rules and effects that specifically mention phased-out permanents, a phased-out permanent is treated as though it does not exist. It can't affect or be affected by anything else in the game.

(Comp rules, 702.23b)

From this I understand the creature doesn't switch controllers at the end of this turn. An object that is not in the game cannot change controllers, right?

So, when it phases back in (your next untap, probably), I guess it would remain under your control forever. If I'm wrong, someone please find the rule quote / FAQ entry to refute me.

How does phasing interact with “until end of turn” effects?

3 Answers