Magic 2012 Pre-release tales

= Magic 2012 Pre-release tales
= Monday, July 11th, 2011

Another successful pre-release has passed. I am pleased to report that 18 players participated in the main event, and 14 players played in our side-event draft.

Those who have been reading know that this is a welcome boon from last pre-release where we had only 8 players for the main event. While I think this is a good sign for the health of our venue and the game as a whole, I think we should all remain vigilant in our efforts to recruit new players, help those players grow into being better players, and keeping all levels of play as fair and fun as possible.

With the launch of Magic 2012 and in the following months, we are likely to see more players and more interest in our game. It's a great time to be playing, and I for one am excited!

== Rulings

= Chandra, the Firebrand.
A player asked if they could choose a single player multiple times with Chandra, the Firebrand's 3rd ability. "[-6]: Chandra, the Firebrand deals 6 damage to each of up to six target creatures and/or players." While the ability as-written doesn't limit the choice of targets (by using the word "different" for example), we do have the following tidbit from the Magic2012 FAQ:

* When you activate Chandra's last ability, you choose up to six target creatures and/or players. No damage is divided, and Chandra can't deal more than 6 damage to any one target. Chandra deals 6 damage to each target that is still legal when the ability resolves.

= Goblin Tunneler and Turn to Frog

Player A Activates Goblin Tunneler targeting a 2/2 Bear. The bear attacks. Player B casts Turn to Frog targeting the Bear. Can Player B declare a blocker against the ex-bear, now 1/1 frog?

The rather interesting answer is no. Again from the FAQ:

* The ability [of Goblin Tunneler] doesn't grant an ability to the targeted creature. Rather, it affects the game rules and states something that's now true about that creature. After the ability resolves, the creature will remain unblockable for the rest of the turn even if it loses all abilities.

For those who are truly curious, here's the Comprehensive Rules that are most applicable to this situation:

112.11. An effect that sets an object’s characteristic, or simply states a quality of that object, is different from an ability granted by an effect. When an object “gains” or “has” an ability, that ability can be removed by another effect. If an effect defines a characteristic of the object (“[permanent] is [characteristic value]”), it’s not granting an ability. (See rule 604.3.) Similarly, if an effect states a quality of that object (“[permanent]” is indestructible” or “[creature] is unblockable,” for example), it’s neither granting an ability nor setting a characteristic. (See rules 700.4 and 700.5.)
Example: Muraganda Petroglyphs reads, “Creatures with no abilities get +2/+2.”

700.5a Although the text “[This permanent] is unblockable” is an ability, actually being
unblockable is neither an ability nor a characteristic. It’s just something that’s true about a creature.