would my creatures get a pseudo-hexproof, if i control Mishra, Tamer of Mak Fawa, and my opponent controls Tajuru Preserver?
Asked by linkofhyrule 10 months ago
with Mishra's Ward being "sacrifice a permanent", and Tajuru saying "cannot be forced to sacrifice", would my side of the field essentially have a form of hexproof that counters every spell fired at them (rather than be untargetable), or does this fall into the small gap that, while i control the source of sacrifice, it's the caster's choice, and ultimately, the sacrifice is controlled by them?
Edit to above: I misread, you stated that your opponent controls the Tajuru Preserver. In this case, ward is a triggered ability controlled by you, so your opponent cannot sacrifice things to pay for it.
August 7, 2023 5:01 p.m.
linkofhyrule says... #3
i've gotten an opposing answer from another mtg community, stating that the controller of the preserver has the option to pay the ward cost, as it's added onto the casting of the spell, so it's under the control of the preserver player, not the Mishra player. but the second ruling on Gatherer's page for the Preserver reads: "If a spell or ability an opponent controls instructs you to perform an action unless you sacrifice a permanent (as Ogre Marauder does), you can't choose to sacrifice a permanent." is the Ward ability of each of my permanents (i misremembered Mishra's text to be only for creatures, not all perms) truly controlled by me, or are they tacked onto the casting of a spell as an additional cost?
August 9, 2023 12:53 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #4
Ward IS NOT added to the cost of the spell. Ward is a triggered ability that counters spells unless the cost is paid. The ability is controlled by the person who controls the permanent the ability is on. (Ward isn't a delayed trigger ability so ignore the last part of 603.3a)
702.21a Ward is a triggered ability. Ward [cost] means “Whenever this permanent becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter that spell or ability unless that player pays [cost].”
603.3a A triggered ability is controlled by the player who controlled its source at the time it triggered, unless it’s a delayed triggered ability. To determine the controller of a delayed triggered ability, see rules 603.7d–f.
Sinq_ says... #1
Tajuru Preserver says that you can't be forced to sacrifice things. Your opponents have to sacrifice things to pay the ward cost, not you, so they are free to do so.
August 7, 2023 4:06 p.m.