May I Choose to Return a Creature Card to My Hand, Rather than the Battlefield, With Meren?
Asked by DemonDragonJ 3 weeks ago
I have an EDH deck with Meren of Clan Nel Toth as its general, and, in one game, one of my opponents controlled a Grafdigger's Cage, which would have prevented Meren's ability from returning a creature from my graveyard directly to the battlefield, so I instead returned the creature to my hand, when here ability triggered (the creature's mana value was less than or equal to the number of experience counters that I had).
Was that a legal play? I sincerely hope that it was, because I would like the assurance that I can bypass attempts at hindering my deck's strategy.
Importantly "otherwise" is referring to if the condition "If that card's mana value is less than or equal to the number of experience counters you have." In order for it to work the way you're wanting it would need to say "If you did not return the card to your hand this way" instead of "otherwise."
December 26, 2024 5:56 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #3
wallisface, thank you, very much, and I am very glad to know that, although I am not happy, about it, since I was hoping to be able to bypass effects such as Grafdigger's Cage, if my opponents use that card.
wallisface says... Accepted answer #1
The play you did was incorrect and illegal. Meren gives you no choice as to where the card goes - it’s always based on experience counters.
From gatherer on this card: ”You can't choose to put the creature card into your hand if its mana value is less than or equal to the number of experience counters you have as the ability resolves.”
December 26, 2024 3:47 p.m.