can i deal extra damage if i have multiple Tuktuk Scrappers target the same artifact?

Asked by RetSpline 13 years ago

Let's say that I have 3 tuktuk-scrappers and a single Liquimetal Coating on the field, and I play a fourth Scrapper. Can I turn an opponent's permanent into an artifact and target it four times so as to deal 16 damage to its controller? My gut instinct says "no", but I'm not sure here.

MagnorCriol says... Accepted answer #1

Tuktuk Scrapper

I'm afraid not. Note the way the ability is worded; first, it says you may destroy a target artifact. Then, it say you can deal damage IF that artifact is put in a graveyard this way.

You actually can target one artifact with all four Scrappers, but when the first ability resolves, all the others won't - because the artifact wasn't put into the graveyard "this way," i.e. with that particular instance of that ability. So you'll only get damage from the first one to resolve.

December 17, 2010 7:11 p.m.

awesomusprime says... #2

Actually, as far as I read the cards, when you put a fourth Tuktuk into play, you'd get it three times wouldn't you? It would be just like playing a mountain when you have three Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle in play.

December 17, 2010 10:32 p.m.

awesomusprime says... #3

And 5 other Mountain s...

December 17, 2010 10:33 p.m.

MagnorCriol says... #4

If he's got three Scrappers on the field, and puts a fourth out there, he'd get four abilities to put on the stack; one for each of the Scrappers already on the field, and one for the one that just entered, as per the Ally trigger - it always reads "when [Cardname] or another ally enters the battlefield...," so they all get to fire.

However, if you target the same artifact, only one gets to resolve and deal damage. The ability is written in such a way that it specifically cites itself to trigger the damage:

The first Scrapper ability resolves, and destroys target artifact. That artifact gets put in the graveyard as a result (assuming no replacement shenanigans that stop it from doing so), which satisfies the "this way" clause and triggers damage.

Then the next Scrapper ability tries to resolve. But the artifact it's trying to target is already gone so it can't be destroyed by the ability. Further, that artifact wasn't put into the grave by the particular instance of the ability that's trying to resolve at that moment, so it can't deal any damage. The same for the next two.

Now, if your opponent had multiple artifacts on the field, you could do them a very hefty sum of destruction and damage targeting multiple artifacts. But one artifact can't provide a damage fest for you.

December 17, 2010 10:56 p.m.

MagnorCriol says... #5

It's different from the Valakut trigger in that Valakut just wants something to be true to trigger its one-shot effect - If a mountain is entering play, and if you have at least 5 others mountains, then it shoop da woops for 3 damage.

The Scrapper's ability is more complex, and requires something to be true to trigger it, and something to be true to trigger its secondary portion.

December 17, 2010 11 p.m.

Delkus says... #6

the top ability on the stack resolves destroying the artifact and dealing the damage. the others on the stack fail to resolve since there target has been removed from play resulting in them being countered.

December 18, 2010 12:41 a.m.

Eyehate says... #7

It doesn't work for multiple reasons actually, Delkus has the more general one in this case though the point made by MagnorCriol about the if clause is still correct.

Spells and abilities that are resolving are handled under "608. Resolving Spells and Abilities" and 608.2b talks about the legality of targets upon resolution of a spell or ability:

  • 608.2b If the spell or ability specifies targets, it checks whether the targets are still legal. A target thats no longer in the zone it was in when it was targeted is illegal. Other changes to the game state may cause a target to no longer be legal; for example, its characteristics may have changed or an effect may have changed the text of the spell. If the source of an ability has left the zone it was in, its last known information is used during this process. The spell or ability is countered if all its targets, for every instance of the word target, are now illegal. If the spell or ability is not countered, it will resolve normally. However, if any of its targets are illegal, the part of the spell or abilitys effect for which it is an illegal target cant perform any actions on that target or make that target perform any actions. The effect may still determine information about illegal targets, though, and other parts of the effect for which those targets are not illegal may still affect them.Further the rules give this example:
  • Example: Aura Blast is a white instant that reads, Destroy target enchantment. Draw a card. If the enchantment isnt a legal target during Aura Blasts resolution (say, if it has gained protection from white or left the battlefield), then Aura Blast is countered. Its controller doesnt draw a card.
December 18, 2010 11:29 a.m.

This discussion has been closed