Answering an opponent's questions

[VsTheWorld]

Hypothetically, say I were to play storm combo in a scrubby meta full of people who are a bit lacking in rules knowledge. My opponent is holding a Stifle.

1. If he asks me "Is Storm a triggered ability?", am I obliged to answer that it is? I know I cannot lie and say it isn't, but do I have to answer it at all?

2. If he asks me "Can I Stifle Tendrils?", am I allowed to answer "No."? The way the question is worded, "No" would be a truthful answer as Tendrils is not a legal target for Stifle, its triggered ability is.

[heroicraptor]

I would call a judge over in both instances. I'm pretty sure you can say "No, Tendrils of Agony would not be a legal target for Stifle" though.

[Anusien]

If you have any doubts you should call a judge.

Magic Rules counts as derived information, so you do not have to answer but you cannot lie or misrepresent the information in any way.


There are three categories of information: free, derived and private.
Free information is so called because all players are entitled access to this information without contamination or omissions made by his or her opponent. If a player is ever unable or unwilling to provide free information to an opponent that has requested it, he or she should call a judge and explain the situation. Free Information includes:
Details of current game actions and past game actions that still affect the game state.
The name of any object in a public zone.
The physical status (tapped/flipped) and current zone of any object.
Player life totals and the game score of the current match.
Derived information is information to which all players are permitted, but opponents are not obliged to assist in determining and may require some skill or calculation to determine. Derived Information includes:
The number of any type of objects present in any game zone.
All characteristics of objects in public zones that are not defined as free information.
Game Rules, Tournament Policy, Oracle content and any other official information pertaining to the current tournament. Cards are considered to have their Oracle text printed on them.
Private information is so called because players have access to this information only if they are able to determine it from the current visual game state or their own record of previous game actions.
Any information that is not free or derived is automatically private information.
The following rules govern player communication:
Players must answer all questions asked of them by a judge completely and honestly, regardless of the type of information requested. Players may request to do so away from the match.
Players may not represent derived or free information incorrectly.
Players must answer completely and honestly any specific questions pertaining to free information.
At Regular REL, all derived information is instead considered free.
Judges are encouraged to help players in determining free information, but must avoid assisting players with derived information about the game state.

[Valtrix]

I guess it can be a questionable situation, but it's also useful to look at what the level of competitiveness you're playing with. If it's not a very high-risk tournament, then you should probably just tell them answers to questions like this without any hesitation, because there's no reason to be a jerk. However, if you're at a higher level tournament it gets a little dicier, because they should know the rules better to be at that type of tournament. I second calling a judge if you have doubts. Then at least you won't feel bad either way. Just don't be a jerk about whatever you're doing, because that's not good. (Even though I frequently don't let people take decisions back when it involves a play error.)

And, of course, after the round is over let your opponent know any play/rules mistakes that happened, if you remember them. Why not make people better players?

[Shimi]

Why not make people better players?

I totally agree.And i think you should answer the better way you could , of course you won't say what is the best play to your opponent but he can calls the judge and you may get a warning.

PS: If you need to lie to win in magic so just knock out your opponent and steal their deck.

[jthanatos]

And, of course, after the round is over let your opponent know any play/rules mistakes that happened, if you remember them. Why not make people better players?

Play mistakes, yes. But remember, you are obligated to point out rule mistakes as soon as you see them, even if they are in your favor (probably more like, especially if they are in your favor.)

[Anusien]

Slight nitpick. You are obligated to point out illegal actions or events or gamestates. If your opponent says out loud "Well this guy can't block that guy" and it can, you don't have to say anything.