E.3 - Comes Into Play Abilities


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E.3.1- A card which says "When comes into play, do " sets up a triggered ability (see Rule A.4) which will trigger only on itself coming into play. After that, the ability is inactive. [WotC Rules Team 1998/03/31]

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E.3.2- A card which says "Whenever comes into play, do " sets up a triggered ability (see Rule A.4) that watches for anything matching the description. A card with this ability can trigger on itself entering play or on anything that enters play at the same time this card enters play. [CompRules 1999/04/23] For example, if two Mogg Bombers enter play simultaneously due to Living Death, both Mogg Bombers will trigger.

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E.3.Ruling.1- You can cast a spell that has a 'comes into play' ability even if you know that the ability itself cannot be played. For example, you can cast a Nekrataal when there are no legal creatures in play to target. Simply ignore any 'comes into play' abilities when deciding if you can play a spell. [D'Angelo 1998/02/03]

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E.3.Ruling.2- If the spell is countered (see Rule G.7), the permanent does not come into play so the ability does not trigger. [D'Angelo 1998/02/03]

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E.3.Ruling.3- If the card does not say there is a penalty for being unable to do the action, there is no penalty if you are unable to do it. You still do as much of the action as possible. [D'Angelo 1998/02/03]

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E.3.Ruling.4- Continuous effects that will apply after the permanent is in play are applied before deciding which abilities do and do not trigger. See Rule A.4.21. For example, if you play a land while Living Lands is in play, abilities which trigger off a land coming into play will trigger, and so will ones that trigger off a creature coming into play. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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E.3.Ruling.5- 'Comes into play' abilities trigger no matter how the card is put into play. There is only one exception--phasing a card in will never trigger such abilities. See Rule G.27.9. [D'Angelo 1998/02/03]

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E.3.Ruling.6- 'Comes into play' abilities do not trigger when a card changes its type. For example, animating a land with Living Lands. They only trigger on something going from being out of play to being in play. [D'Angelo 1998/07/30]

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Note- Also see Triggered Abilities, Rule A.4.

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