Maze of Ith

[Maveric78f]

I basically cannot understand why this card cannot be cheated in the following way:
1/ I attack with Tarmogoyf.
2/ Tarmogoyf deals its dmg.
3/ Before end of attack phase, I untap it with Maze of Ith.

Is it because a creature ceases to be attacking as soon as it has dealt its damages?
If yes, how does it interact with first strike? And double strike?

[luma]

You can use Maze of Ith as you described. That Tarmogoyf is an "attacking creature" the whole combat phase, so you can untap it with Maze of Ith after combat damage has already been dealt.

Relevant rule:
508.1j Each [creature chosen to attack] still controlled by the active player becomes an attacking creature. It remains an attacking creature until it’s removed from combat or the combat phase ends, whichever comes first.

[Malchar]

You can also abuse it further with first strike


Attacking Creature
A creature that has either been declared as part of a legal attack during the combat phase (once all costs to attack, if any, have been paid), or a creature that has been put onto the battlefield attacking. It remains an attacking creature until it’s removed from combat or the combat phase ends, whichever comes first. See rule 508, “Declare Attackers Step.”

[Maveric78f]

You see what I meant ;-)


Maveric78f taps Knight of the Reliquary
Maveric78f taps Knight of the Reliquary
Alvaro's life total is now 16 (-4)
It is now the Combat Phase, Combat Damage Step
Maveric78f taps Maze of Ith
Maveric78f untaps Knight of the Reliquary
It is now the Postcombat Main Phase
Alvaro's life total is now 20 (+4)
<Maveric78f> Wait!
<Maveric78f> I do it after damage
<Alvaro> ??'
<Alvaro> hi
<Alvaro> its 2009
<Maveric78f> and?
<Alvaro> m10 rules are running
<Maveric78f> 508.1j Each [creature chosen to attack] still controlled by the active player becomes an attacking creature. It remains an attacking creature until it’s removed from combat or the combat phase ends, whichever comes first.
<Maveric78f> still the same
<Maveric78f> M10 has nothing to do with it
<Maveric78f> I don't activate in resp to damage assignation but after damage is dealt
<Alvaro> its no longer combat step
<Maveric78f> still in the attack pahse
<Maveric78f> (combat phase)
<Maveric78f> it is
<Maveric78f> there is the end of combat phase
<System> Player Lost
<Maveric78f> with follows the damage assignment

[Malchar]

Hopefully he's still patiently waiting for the verdict from the source.

[citanul]

I got confused myself as I didn't know there was a step after the damage. But as Maveric78f said on MWS, there's the 'End of Combat' phase in which this is doable.

Nice trick to know, never thought of it like that. Now if only Maze of Ith would tap for mana :(.

[blueneverfails]

Nice trick to know, never thought of it like that. Now if only Maze of Ith would tap for mana :(.

Don't get your hopes down, wizards has done stupider things in magic before.( affinity, skullclamp, unbanning flash, tarmogoyf, counterbalance)

[DrJones]

Maze of Shadows taps for mana. :tongue:

[Esper3k]

So all you're essentially doing is using Maze of Ith to give your guy semi-vigilance?

[Malchar]

So all you're essentially doing is using Maze of Ith to give your guy semi-vigilance?

I guess you can also use it as a bailout if the opponent pulls tricks.

[DrJones]

So all you're essentially doing is using Maze of Ith to give your guy semi-vigilance?No, it also makes your opponents concede. :cool:

[Maveric78f]

Well Knight of the Reliquary becomes a 3CC 5/5 Vigilance creature that gains at least +2/+2 each turn (and probably more) and that provides 1 mana of any colour when tapping.

That was my point.