clarification on flanking VS. 1 toughness
Asked by ilikeoldcardsbetter 14 years ago
say someone attacks with Benalish Cavalry and the defending player blocks with [lightning elemental]] .....
also in this scenario, what if the elemental had lifelink?
basically I want to know when the -1/-1 occurs, and if the elemental has time to deal damage
Okay. During declare blockers, the defending player declares the Lightning Elemental as blocking the Benalish Cavalry . I believe from the reminder text wording that flanking functions as a triggered ability, and therefore as soon as the block declaration resolves a triggered ability is put on the stack giving the Lightning Elemental -1/-1 until the end of the turn. As soon as this triggered ability resolves, the elemental dies as a state-based effect. I'll have to check whether it's actually a triggered ability or if it's a state-based ability, but in either case, the Lightning Elemental is dead by the end of the declare blockers step, and has no chance to deal damage. However, the Benalish Cavalry is still considered blocked and will not deal damage to the defending player unless it has trample.
September 16, 2010 4:18 p.m.
yes, it is a triggered ability as per 702.22a, and stacks as per 702.22b(i.e. Cavalry Master ).
September 16, 2010 4:20 p.m.
ilikeoldcardsbetter says... #4
with Cavalry Master , does that basically mean blocking creatures will get -2/-2 ?
September 16, 2010 6:56 p.m.
xeratheenigma says... #5
with the calvary master on the field the benalish calvary would inflict a -2/-2 on creatures blocking it w/o flanking but the calvary master does not give himself a second instance of flanking
ilikeoldcardsbetter says... #1
sorry: Lightning Elemental
September 16, 2010 4:09 p.m.