snapcaster mage and unearth

[tyrcho]

Hi,

Is this legal :

I have snapcaster mage and tarmogoyf in graveyard, 3 mana up.



I cast unearth from hand, targetting snapcaster mage in graveyard. When it comes into play, I target the unearth which just went to graveyard, and unearth tarmogoyf.

Or is the unearth no yet in graveyard and thus not a legal target for snapcaster mage ?

Thanks

I also asked here :
http://draw3cards.com/questions/6912/snapcaster-mage-and-unearth

[Infinitium]

Going to the graveyard is the last thing acard does when resolving. In this case, Unearth will resolve (and thus go the GY) before Snapcasters ability goes on the stack and is a legal target for said ability.

[Malchar]

Here's what happens:
1. Cast unearth on snapcaster mage

2. Everyone passes priority

3a. Unearth starts resolving
b. Snapcaster mage it put into the battlefield
c. Snapcaster mage's ability triggers
d. Unearth is put into the graveyard
e. Unearth is done resolving

4. Abilities triggered since the last time a player received priority are finally put into the stack. You choose for snapcaster's ability to target unearth.

5. Everyone passes priority

6. Snapcaster mage's ability starts resolving...
etc.

Everything works because even though snapcaster's ability is triggered before unearth is a legal target, it doesn't matter until the ability is put on the stack, which happens after unearth is done resolving. By that time, it is a legal target. You choose targets when stuff is put on the stack, not when it triggers.

[lordofthepit]

3a. Unearth starts resolving
b. Snapcaster mage it put into the battlefield
c. Snapcaster mage's ability triggers
d. Unearth is put into the graveyard
e. Unearth is done resolving

I'm pretty sure the Snapcaster Mage trigger happens after Unearth is done resolving. If the condition for a triggered ability is met, the trigger goes on stack after the resolution of the spell. Otherwise, you'd have to choose targets for the trigger before Unearth is even done.

[Esper3k]

I'm pretty sure the Snapcaster Mage trigger happens after Unearth is done resolving. If the condition for a triggered ability is met, the trigger goes on stack after the resolution of the spell. Otherwise, you'd have to choose targets for the trigger before Unearth is even done.

Yeah, I think C should be "game sees that Snapcaster should trigger" and there should be an added step at the end where "Snapcaster trigger goes on the stack".

[Malchar]

The ability triggers as soon as the game state matches the condition. However, the trigger doesn't go on the stack until unearth is done resolving. This is what I said in my original post if you look at #4. I think that everyone here is correct. Perhaps my original post was confusing.

[lordofthepit]

The ability triggers as soon as the game state matches the condition. However, the trigger doesn't go on the stack until unearth is done resolving. This is what I said in my original post if you look at #4. I think that everyone here is correct. Perhaps my original post was confusing.

Thanks for the clarification. I missed the phrasing, and it's good to have confirmation since you definitely know the rules better than me!