What happens with Painful Quandary and an empty hand?
Asked by Gamer7129 13 years ago
If I had a Painful Quandary out and my opponent casts the last card in his hand, does he automatically lose 5 life because he can't discard a card? Or can he choose to discard, but because he has no cards in his hand the effect fizzles?
MagnorCriol says... #2
Zylo's correct. If the card's wording was "whenever an opponent casts a spell, that player chooses one - lose 5 life, or discard a card" (That's not exactly how the syntax would manifest, but you get the point) then they'd be able to choose to discard, and get off scot-free. But the specific wording of Quandary means they're not getting out of it that easy.
Zylo says... Accepted answer #1
He would be forced to lose 5 life. The clause "unless he discards a card" means that in order for him to NOT lose 5 life he'd have to discard a card, however if there are no cards for him to discard then he can't avoid losing 5 life.
December 8, 2010 1:41 a.m.