Aether vial and the blocker's step

[jazzykat]

The scenario:

My turn, I am attacking with a hippie. Opponent has a vial on two and vials in Serra Avenger during the blockers step. I say OK to it being vialed in, and then play snuff out on it. Does the Avenger get to block?

[Wallace]

If you cast Snuff out before the declare blockers step then no, he can't block with it.

[jazzykat]

He said it was during the declare blockers step.

[Van Phanel]

The first thing that happens in the declare blockers step is the declaration of blockers. He can't Vial a creature into play in the declare blockers step and have it block. His only way to have it block would be Vialing in before the declare blockers step and you'd get the chance to kill it before the declare blockers step as well.

[Anusien]

Chances are he meant to activate it in the "Declare Attackers" step. Regardless, each player will have a chance to play effects before the step can end, so yes, you can destroy the creature before it can block.